Before I could answer, Lacey returned with a jug full of water and some towels.
“Here you go.” She poured the water into the large ceramic bowl sitting a small rose-shaped soap bar next to it. The towels were hung over the bar on the side and then Lacey placed a comb next to the bowl. “I took the liberty of grabbing a comb. Wasn’t sure if you had your own with you.”
“That’s a fair assumption to make.” I lifted my plait from where it hung over my shoulder, staring at it mournfully. “I don’t usually go about looking like I’ve just rolled around in the dirt. It appears the corp hasn’t dealt with the reality of female cadets yet. My hair is one big snarl from flying free all day.”
“Let me.” As I went to wash my face, Lacey grabbed the comb. “Ivy and me, we help Elsie comb out all the younger kids hair.” She shot me a shy smile. “I’m good at teasing knots free, not just yanking them out.”
“Oh, I couldn’t impose—” I said as I scrubbed at my skin.
“You’re a queen dragon rider, right? That was your gold beast I saw?” I nodded. “If you tell me about how you bondedwith her, that would be a fair exchange for helping you with your hair. The moment I discovered what queen dragons are, I dreamed of bonding with one. Maybe you can tell me about how the two of you met?”
Water dripped from my face as I looked back at the girl. That hopeful look, there was no way I could say no to that.
“Of course.” I rinsed the soap off my face then dried it with a towel. “But you don’t have to comb my hair for that.”
“I’d like to.”
Lacey patted the bed beside her and so I went to sit down.
Chapter 42
Lorien
“You could’ve told me you were coming,” Elsie hissed at Kael.
“Why?”
Gods, my brother was dense.
“Because knowing our Elsie.” I went and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, forcing her to stop zipping about the kitchen. “She made enough food for the tribe here.” With a nod, I indicated the kids that were now outside, clambering all over our dragons. “And she’d want to make herself look even more beautiful when meeting our girl for the first time.”
I went to press a kiss to her temple, but the woman was sharp as a tack. She spun around, wielding a paring knife in a manner that was frankly frightening.
“So she is your woman!”
Elsie’s hands went to her hips. Dain looked up from the table where Ivy was showing him her sketches.
“No.”
“Yes.” I shot him a meaningful look. “While tall, blond, and growly over there is still in denial, our dragons have made clearthat Auren is the one for them. Fern is…” Emotion, way too much of it, rose, threatening to choke me where I stood. “She’s more incredible than I could’ve imagined, which is why Dain is so angry. He could’ve held out against almost any woman, but her…”
“You…!” Elsie snatched up a wooden spoon and advanced upon Kael. “You didn’t send word, didn’t warn me or anything.”
“Calm down, you crazy woman!” Kael spluttered.
Dain rolled his eyes, turning back to Ivy, but I just cackled.
“And as for you.” All of a sudden I was staring down the business end of a wooden spoon as Elsie scowled at me. “You know you’re a million times better at communicating than your brother. What stopped you from sending word?”
I shrugged as I held my hands out in surrender.
“I forgot?”
“Forgot? Forgot!” Elsie started wrenching open cupboards. “I can’t serve a lady and your future wife stew for dinner.”
“Why not?” Kael was especially dense sometimes. “Your stew tastes amazing.”
“Because you’ve never brought a girl home, ever.” Dain looked up when he heard the quaver in Elsie’s voice, and Kael and I drew closer. She dabbed at her eyes with her apron. “I was beginning to think you never would. We have to make a good impression, Kael, otherwise why would a fine lady like Fern want to join this rag-tag band?”
