She led me to one of the round, linen-covered tables near the sidewalk. It had a lovely view of the flower shop across the street and we were far enough away from the docks that the smell of the sea didn't compete with that of the blooms. An awning hung over the outside portion of the cafe, painted with a beach scene featuring a sandcastle. So even though the sun was getting higher, I'd be shaded during my meal. It was the perfect spot.
As I sat down, Alice filled a bowl with water, then set it on the ground for Vashana. Vash yipped her thanks, and Alice stroked her head.
“You're welcome, sweet girl,” Alice said.
All the townsfolk I'd gotten to know had come to love Vashana. Not many of them had even heard of vanrussas before,so they didn't have any preconceived notions about the breed. This meant they approached her without fear.
I placed our order, then sat back and watched the bustling activity in the flower shop. Two employees were setting out bins of flowers and working on new arrangements. It had surprised me that they did so well in such a little town. But despite being small, Umelamo was prosperous. The townsfolk had coin to spend on frivolous things like flowers. My stance on cut flowers hadn't changed. I still didn't like the idea of taking them away from the rest of the plant and sticking them in vases. But I couldn't deny that the sight and smell of so many of them packed together was lovely.
“Here you go, Galin.” Alice set down a custard pastry, a mug of coffee, and Vashana's breakfast of chicken stew. After everything was off her tray, she moved the stew to the ground for Vash. “The rest will be out shortly.”
“Thank you.”
I added cream and sugar to my coffee, took a sip, then had a bite of pastry, focusing on the deliciousness of them both. I had to focus on things like that lately. If I didn't, a terrible screaming would fill my mind, and a clawing would rise inside my chest. I could only battle them back with my other senses. The more positive the sensation, the better. Not romantic, just positive. To be honest, I couldn't even think about romance yet. I had a feeling that if I tried to, the screaming would move out of my head via my mouth.
Rian. He was ever in my thoughts, no matter what I tried to focus on. Flowers made me think of our conversation about them. Coffee made me think about him brewing a pot in my apartment. Vashana, well, there were so very many memoriesof Rian associated with her. And I was always a mere heartbeat away from bursting into tears over him. It hadn't been like this with Rontor, but then Rontor hadn't loved me, and he certainly hadn't given me a part of his soul. I kept telling myself it was Rian's soul that upset me. It wasn't entirely my heartache over him. But I couldn't lie to myself, not very well. Underneath the hope that I'd get over Rian was the truth that I felt in my bones.
There would be no getting over the Dragon King of Sken.
Vash growled and jumped up.
My heart went wild with that reaction, and my stare shot around. It didn't take long for me to find the source of her unease. He was walking to me, casually moving around the cafe tables. A Dragon.
“Holy fuck,” I whispered. Then, louder, I said, “Down, Vash.”
She obeyed but placed herself between me and Geris.
“Hello, asshole,” Geris said.
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” He plopped down into the chair across from mine. “You're an asshole. A son of a bitch. A no good, ungrateful idiot.”
I grimaced, my fear vanishing. “Oh, I am, am I?”
“That's right, dick.” Geris leaned forward onto his forearms. “You had everything I've ever wanted, and you just threw it away.”
“I'd think you'd be thrilled to pick up the pieces.”
“Pieces is right,” he muttered.
“Galin, you have a friend visiting? How lovely?” Alice set a mug down before Geris. “Hello, I'm Alice.”
“Alice, this is Geris,” I said. “He's from Sken.”
“Oh? That's a long way to come for a visit.”
“Yes, it is.” Geris drew his gaze from me to set it on Alice. “It's nice to meet you, Alice. Could I get some coffee, please?”
“Yes, of course. Anything else?”
“Whatever Galin's having.” He paused, then added, “We have the same taste.”
“Sure thing. Be right back.” Alice hurried away.
“What do you want, Geris?” I asked.
Geris snorted and went back into his sprawl. “What do I want? Oh, so much that I can't have.”
