“Sorry. If I’m being too forward just say so. I’ll stop.” He grinned again, the expression familiar, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on why.
“It’s okay. I don’t really have plans, just more sorting.”
“Exactly. And that will go on for ages no matter what, so why wait? Just imagine how wonderful the sun is going to feel on your face! I’d bet it’s been months. Winter in Vincara is long and gloomy.”
He wasn’t wrong. “Alright,” I agreed, my cheeks beginning to get sore from smiling as I went into my room and plucked the old, too-large coat out of the armoire.
When I came back, Tap was doing something that appeared to make most of the portals power down, both of them in their own coats.
“Ready?” Tap asked, and when I nodded he gently tucked my arm through his and led me toward one of the doorways. I looked at his breast pocket to find my feather threaded through the buttonhole again. It seemed he moved it from piece to piece to be sure it was seen. I blushed, and he patted my arm, misunderstanding why. “It’ll be fine.”
Seir glanced back over his shoulder as he dove through first, smiling wide.
I wasn’t sure if Tap’s words were meant to reassure himself or me. In the end, it didn’t matter, because the conversation ended the moment we stepped into the portal.
Chapter 13
Phin
The heaviness of the slightly humid air was the first thing to register as we exited the portal at our destination. While definitely colder than the evenly temperate crossroads, it was also far warmer than Vincara.
I marveled at the dense greenery in every direction as Seir led us down a narrow, worn footpath. As far as I could see were trees, grass, and even a few patches of colorful flowers despite the season. Animal life was also plentiful, birds noisy in the trees or flying overhead and squirrels and other woodland creatures scampering around in the underbrush as we walked.
It was lush, vibrant.Alive.
“Reminds me of the gardens,” I muttered, attention unfocused as I took in everything around me.
“I can see the resemblance,” Tap agreed. “This glade is also a rather special place.” The corner of his mouth tilted as Seir proudly scampered ahead, narrating and pointing things out.
“The hot springs are over there, and the new beehives aren’t far beyond that. Merry and Coltor live down that path, and the ruins are a bit past them. Our place is just up ahead, we’ll start there.”
We passed a series of hot springs and a little cabin that looked new as we walked toward a thriving stand of trees. Just at the edge was another cabin, this one clearly very lived in and cared for. Garden beds lined the house, all overflowing with vegetables despite the thin layer of frost. As we approached, two sets of wind chimes hanging from the edge of the front porch tinkled different tunes as a light breeze blew through.
A woman opened the door of the cabin as we approached and gestured with her arm. “Welcome! Come on inside.”
Tap urged me to go first with a gentle press of his hand at the small of my back. I nodded politely at the pretty woman as I entered her small but comfortable home, pausing behind a plush sofa. There was a healthy fire going in the hearth, and the whole room smelled like cinnamon and apples. Nostalgia gripped my lungs and I swallowed over the lump in my throat. My mother nearly always had a simmer pot going with fruit and spices, and sitting in front of a warm fire was where we all shared how our day had gone after supper. I tried to shake off the sadness that inevitably crept in when I started to think about what might have become of them.
“You owe me a jar of pickles,” Seir teased, pausing to kiss her on the mouth after pulling the door closed behind himself.
Tap seemed to notice the same moment I did that he’d never removed his hand. He stared at me with concern for the space of a heartbeat, clearly having picked up on my tension. I nodded to indicate I was fine, and the warmth of his touch fell away.
“So I do,” Hailon laughed.
“The fresh air is quite nice.” Tap gestured to his brother. “Maybe leave it open a little?”
“Good idea.” He opened the door so just a sliver of light came through at the edge, enough for a bit of air to flow. I took a deep breath, some of the tension easing out of my shoulders and back.“For my pickles, I’d like green beans. No! The little baby beets.” He licked his lips as though already tasting them. “Please.”
“I’ll see what I can do my next trip to d’Arcan. I’m not sure what’s left in the cellar. Between you and Magnus, we’ll have to triple our pickling schedule next year.”
“Better quadruple, to be safe.” Seir winked at her and continued into the kitchen.
“We’ll need to put in more garden beds then.”
“Merry will be thrilled!” He grinned at her, and as her head tilted, added, “Just tell me where to dig, Moonflower. You can have a hundred more if it means I have pickles whenever I want. Shall I pour the tea?”
She shook her head and turned her attention to Tap. “I’m so glad you came, but if I’m being honest, I wasn’t sure he’d convince you. I know venturing out is a considerable undertaking.”
Tap cracked a grin that set my thrumming nerves at ease. “If I were you, I’d have bet the pickles too.” He leaned in and kissed her chastely on the cheek. “It’s always good to see you, Hailon.”
