chapter Twelve
Kissing, Seen
Evree's face contorted as he approached. She averted her eyes, staring down at the flowers at her feet. Eramus touched her arm. "Are you all right?"
She nodded, but her focus remained on the ground. "Morzaun did not like me stealing you away. He looked rather angry with you."
"Don't concern yourself with him. It was my choice to end training. I'm glad you came."
A coy smile stole over her expression as her gaze lifted to meet his eyes. "Were you? I can't fathom why that might be."
He wrapped his fingers around her hand and pulled her towards the shadows at the tree line. Now that waves of blue magic no longer flowed across the plain, the meadow was peaceful. Several birds chirped noisily as they flew between the branches of the oaks and pines, and a squirrel darted up the knotted side of one particularly old tree.
Eramus plopped down on the ground, wincing a little. Zeeran's attacks had left his rear sore, adding to his collection of injuries for the day. His head throbbed less now, but his upper lip felt larger than normal. He wondered if the swelling was as noticeable as it felt.
Evree plucked a few blades of grass and sighed. "Are you going to tell me what happened this morning?"
A loaded question. Plenty had happened since he'd finished at the bakery. He wasn't sure which part Evree referred to, nor how much he was ready to divulge. "To what are you referring? I've had the most relaxing, normal morning of my entire life."
She scowled and whacked his arm. "I don't believe that for one second. Nothing about your life is normal now that you revealed your secret."
He couldn't deny that, even if he wished it weren't true.
Evree turned and leaned toward him, her shoulder brushing against his arm. His heart took off like a wagon on a steep slope, and Eramus was fairly certain there was a cliff waiting at the bottom. Moments like this never went smoothly for him.
She lifted her hand to his face, gently inspecting his puffy lip. Her warm touch sent chills through his body. She smelled like lavender again.
"How did you get this," she whispered, her breath brushing across his skin.
Guess that meant the swelling was obvious.
"Your uncle left me a parting gift."
Her brows drew tight, but her fingers lingered on his face. They moved across his cheek, and he was suddenly conscious of the hair he'd continued to neglect. Inara had given up with her chiding reminders, and the stubble had grown into a thick beard.
"I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that."
No, he didn't, but a little pain was worth it to have her soft fingers trailing over his skin. Of course, he couldn't admit to that out loud.
Her hand dropped slowly to her lap, and Eramus had to restrain himself from chasing after it. "Can magic…can you use it to heal injuries?" she asked.
Eramus ran his fingers through his hair. A good question, and one he didn't have an answer for. "I imagine it's possible, but I've never used such a spell, nor has anyone taught me one." And now that Evree had mentioned it, he would be sure to ask. A healing spell would come in handy, especially if things with Arnan continued.
She plucked more grass, biting her lip. "Perhaps Morzaun could teach you."
Her words came with reluctance. He knew Evree was suspicious of the man, and after his discussion with him today, Eramus was close to joining her. "Perhaps, but he isn't the only person I can ask."
Her head jerked toward him, eyes wide with bewilderment. "What do you mean?"
"It seems I'm not the only one in my family who can wield magic."
Evree's hand shot to her mouth, covering her gasp. "You've learned who your family is?"
He nodded. "A few of them have invaded my house, in fact."
"You're saying there are more people in the village with magical powers?" Her eyes went wide, and she shook her head. "Oh, my uncle will not like this."
"He needn't know. They aren't here to stay. They've come to take me home with them."
