“I know it's been confusing for you,” I said to Vashana. “But this is home. We're home.”
She yipped.
“If you find a solution before I return, send word to the castle,” Rian said stiffly after he had climbed out.
“All right.” I hugged him. “Thank you for bringing me back.”
He softened around me and bent his head to burrow into my hair. “You're welcome, my jewel. Thank you for all your help. I know I've asked a lot of you.” He lifted his head to meet my stare. “And don't feel pressured to solve this. This is my problem, not yours.”
Ah, and there it was again. I really was being harsh. Reading too much into it. I took and breath and let it out on a sigh. I was just out of sorts. Feeling better, I said, “If I can help, I will.”
Rian grinned. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I lifted my face for a kiss, then sank into the pleasure with him, our cloaks coming together to form a warm cocoon around us. When we eased apart, I felt even better. Maybe I'd been overreacting, my nerves flayed by being in a Dragon enclave. “I'll see you soon.”
“As soon as I have some time to spare.”
I nodded and waved Vash forward. “Come on, girl. Let's get you settled.”
I didn't look back as Rian got in his carriage and rode away. A weight lifted from me as he did, and I felt a little guilty about it. How could I love him and be happy when he left? No, something was wrong. After shutting the shop door behind us, my hand went to my pendant. Maybe it was just a coincidence, but as I held the Inner Eye, some clarity came to me. Lovingsomeone didn't mean you never wanted to be away from them. That was obsession. It was better that I felt love for Rian even after all that had happened. Our love was more stable. You know, except for the whole mating thing.
“Boss!” Arena exclaimed as she hurried around a display cabinet. “Welcome home.”
“Thank you.” I smiled broadly, feeling that welcome deeply, and removed my cloak.
“Ah, here he is. What perfect timing,” Raef declared.
I looked over to see him at the reckoiner with a Hulfrin woman—the very one who had sold Rian my pendant. “Oh, hello.” I went over to them. “Did you come to see the reckoiner?”
“Yes.” She grinned, showing off her sharp teeth. “You have many interesting things in here, but the coin counter would be the most helpful to me.”
“I was just telling her that you were away, and we only have one of these,” Raef said.
“Actually, there's another in the back,” I said. “I didn't think to tell you before I left.”
“On royal business, I heard,” the woman said.
“Yes.” I waved it away. “But how are you? I never did get your name.”
“I'm Racine.” She held out her hand, retracting her claws as she did.
“Nice to meet you, Racine, I'm Galin.” I shook her hand. “Has Raef shown you how to use the reckoiner?”
“Oh, yes. I figured since I was here, I'd at least see how it worked so I'd know if I wanted to come back to purchase one.”
“And what do you think?”
“I think it's incredible. But how much is it?”
I winced. “Good question. I'm afraid it's one of the more expensive items in the store as it takes a lot of time to construct and then there's the cost of the magical parts. I'm asking eight silver for it.”
“I think that's a fair price.” She nodded. “May I see the one you have for sale?”
“Absolutely. Let me fetch it.” I waved at Raef. “Raef, could you set out a display table for me?”
“Yes, Sir!” Raef hurried off.
I went into the workroom with Vashana, hung up my cloak, then removed my wing scarf. Stretching out my wings, I strode across the room to the shelf where I kept our inventory. The reckoiner was in a box on the bottom shelf. I hauled it out but before I could lift it, Raef was there to help me.
