“I’m sure it can wait, right, Tharios?” she says.
“For now, but not for too long. I can smell the smoke and berries every time I come in here.”
What is that supposed to mean? Why does Tharios even need to speak to Arisanna?
“I think I will go for a walk,” the queen says. “Some fresh air appeals to me. Do what is expected of you, Arisanna.”
“Yes, Mother,” she says quietly, and Cerian sighs at the smallness of her voice.
The queen says a polite farewell to Tharios, and then she’s gone.
For now.
“You can come out now, Cer,” Tharios says.
Reluctantly, he steps out of the shadows. He can barely look at Arisanna. Will she be disappointed in him for hiding?
“Are you all right?” she asks, and he nods. Then he forces himself to meet her gaze. There’s only concern in her eyes, and relief fills him.
“Are you?” he asks.
A flicker of emotion crosses her face, but she glances at Tharios before forcing a smile. “I’m...”
Her words trail off as if she can’t push them out, and his stomach tightens.
She’s trying to lie, which she can’t do, not to him. She’s not fine.
“I’ll be fine,” she eventually manages.
Tharios glances between them but says nothing. Thank the fates.
Unsure how to respond, Cerian merely nods. “I’m going to check on Elowyn.”
“I love you,” Arisanna calls softly after him, and he turns to look at her with all the love he feels written in his gaze.
Hopefully, she can read the words he doesn’t say this time.
My Magic Thinks It Needs You
Episode 75
ArisannalooksnervouslyatTharios as he closes the door behind Cerian. What in the world does he want to talk about?
“I know enough about humans to guess no one addressed this with you before you binded with Cerian, so we’re going to talk now, all right, Arisanna?”
She nods, though she has no idea what he means.
He pulls a small vial from his pocket. “This is a short-term, temporary measure while you’re getting your bearings and deciding what you want from your lives together. There are other options that are more long-term, and we can discuss those, too. But for now, take one drop of this every night, all right? This is a Lothlesi medicinal, and since human and Lothlesi physiology is very similar, it should work for you as well.”
She eyes the vial in his hand, reaching for it when he offers it to her. “I don’t understand. What’s it for?”
Tharios chuckles. “Forgive me. I should have been more clear. It’s a preventative. Until you and Cerian are ready for elflings.”
Heat floods her cheeks. “Oh.”
“Give some thought to your future, and come see me if you wish to discuss other options. Or if you run out.”
She studies the liquid in the amber vial, holding it up to the light. “We don’t have things like this in Nunia,” she says quietly. “I thought—”
