Below him, he spotted the three sisters. Angry words reached his ears, and he silently came to rest on a branch, making himself invisible to avoid notice. He focused all his attention on the argument happening below him.
“Since when do you need time alone?” Circe asked. Medea spoke of her often and he deduced it was her based on her lighter complexion.
Medea crossed her arms over her chest. “It will help all of us. I want to get in touch with my personal magic. Meditate. Study and practice.”
“We’ve always practiced together,” Isis protested, her darker skin and eyes his clue to her identity. “Where is this coming from? Where did you go yesterday afternoon?”
There was a long pause. Medea cast her gaze around her. Was she looking for him? She fisted her hands and punched straight down at her sides. “I’ve made a friend. A male friend.”
Circe and Isis looked at each other in wide-eyed wonder.
“What kind of male friend?” Isis asked.
“Is he a nymph?” Circe added, pursing her lips.
Medea shook her head. “He’s a… dragon.”
The two sisters’ dual expressions of astonishment must have hit Medea hard, because she crossed her arms against them. “He turns into a man. A man… with wings.”
“But… how?” Isis shook her head. “Where did he come from?”
“He guards the gate.” Medea sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping. “He saw us that afternoon in the marigold field.”
She closed her eyes against the onslaught of sharp language they flung her way.
Tavyss was tempted to reveal himself. The urge to protect Medea was almost undeniable. Listening to them attack her and not intervening was torture, and he balled his hands into fists. But if there was one incontrovertible truth about Medea, it was that she loved her sisters. If he revealed himself, he couldn’t ensure things wouldn’t get complicated, and he’d never forgive himself for hurting ones that she loved.
“No, Medea! You cannot be friends with this male. He could—”
She raised her hand to Circe and shook her head. “I told him about us… that we were born here in the garden. He’s understanding and kind. He won’t hurt you.”
The sisters exchanged glances.
“He was accepting?” Circe asked.
“Very… accepting.” Medea smiled then. “He’s kind and handsome. The power he puts off, I can feel it. It makes my skin tingle.”
Above her, Tavyss couldn’t stop himself from grinning until his cheeks hurt. She thought he was handsome. He leaned in, hoping she’d say more.
Circe brushed her fingertips over her bottom lip. “Truly?”
“Yes. But you must leave now. He is supposed to meet me here, soon, at this very hour.”
Isis and Circe exchanged glances before finally seeming to cave to Medea’s plea. Isis offered up a wicked smile. “Very well, sister, we will leave you to your malefriend, but we expect a full report.”
“Agreed.” The tension in Medea’s shoulders seemed to ease as her sisters left the clearing and traveled down the path toward the pool.
Tavyss dropped his invisibility and soared down to Medea. “Thank you for saying those things about me.”
Medea frowned. “I didn’t know you were there.”
“I… I am sorry. I should not have listened in on your private conversation, but I came to see you and overheard—”
She waved a hand dismissively. “Then you know that yes, I told them about you. I hope that was okay. You never asked me to keep your existence a secret.”
He smiled, relieved that he hadn’t stoked her anger with his eavesdropping. She actually seemed more distraught that he might be displeased with her for telling her sisters about him.
“I am happy you told them about me.” He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Then they won’t be surprised when I seek you out again.”
