"What? No, it's not like that." Ashe sounded flustered. Another silence, then a groan. "Okay, that's enough, goodbye Starry! I'll come home when it's time, all right?"
Time for what? What were they talking about?
Figuring their conversation was over, I strolled out of the hollow to see Starry smirking and Ashe's cheeks flushed pink. I could only imagine what they'd been discussing.
Starry nodded at me. "Thanks for letting me stay over. I'll be on my way now." She nudged Ashe with her elbow. "I'll tell the pack you're still on your adventure. See you."
After exchanging goodbyes, Starry shifted and bounded off into the forest. Ashe and I were alone again, which made me both excited and anxious.
"Well?" Ashe smiled at me. "Ready to go?"
11
Ashe
Each one ofBear's strides exuded determination and purpose. Wherever he was going, he sure was in a hurry to get there.
Was his plan really to go to the coast and talk to Nautilus? I couldn't imagine why, and it was frustrating that he wouldn't just tell me. What could a bear shifter possibly want with a water spirit? Learning how to swim?
We had passed the forest and were now in a lush stretch of plains where the only sound was the wind rustling the grass and screeches of hunting raptors overhead. Bear hadn't signed anything since we left. He seemed really focused on this journey.
"So... You know, my cousin Zak's actually a descendent of Nautilus," I said, trying to fill the air.
Bear stopped in his tracks, facing me. He looked utterly baffled. "He is? Why didn't you say so sooner?"
I shrugged. "I didn't know you cared so much."
Seriously, what was his fascination with spirits about? At least it gave me something to talk about. Seeing him this stoked made me smile.
"My other cousin, Quinn, his daughter was blessed by a spirit, too," I went on.
Bear stared at me like I had two heads. "Are you kidding me?"
"Nope. I'm serious."
I'd never seen Bear like this. He practically vibrated with excitement. "Then it's true."
"What is?"
"Spirits grant wishes."
Bear's eyes sparkled with hope, which made my stomach clench. I grimaced as I remembered my conversation with Starry this morning. After learning Bear needed a spirit's help, she reminded me what happened with Quinn. He, too, wanted a blessing from a spirit, the air spirit named Mistral.
But Mistral lied to him. He led Quinn on, making promises he couldn't keep, and in the end, Quinn didn't get what he wanted.
"Well," I said, not wanting to hurt his feelings, "that's only sort of true."
"How?"
"Spirits are tricky. They don't always have your interest at heart."
Bear's jaw went taut and he signed in a clipped way. "You said a spirit blessed your niece."
"I know, but the circumstances were... unusual."
Bear looked upset now. "So you were bragging?"
"No! I just want you to be careful. I don't want you to get hurt chasing fairy tales."
