“No,” Paige said, too quickly. “You stay here and referee the game. I’ll sit with her.”
“Paige,” Conleth started, but she was already hurrying off without a backward glance.
“I see things are going well,” Buck said from behind him.
He sighed, watching Paige join Hetta. “That was one of our more successful interactions. These days, I count it as a victory if I can get her to say anything more to me than ‘Nancy’s on the cabin roof again.’”
“Mmm.” Buck sipped his coffee. “Archie seems to have stopped persecuting you, at least.”
“No doubt because he’s worked out it’s far more effective to stand back and let me shoot myself in both feet. My performance so far has not been impressive.” Conleth cast a glance at Moira, who was monitoring the kids’ chaotic game with the same close attention she gave her lifeguarding duties. “Speaking of Archie, how are his lessons with you going?”
Moira blew out her breath. “He’s…trying hard.”
“Forgive me, princess, but that is hard to believe,” Ragvald put in. “I have witnessed myself that our young cub still finds it hard to stay in one skin for long.”
“For once, Ragvald is right,” Conleth said. “Archie doesn’t seem to be making much progress. Yesterday he turned into a bear six times before breakfast. I counted.”
“And recorded the result in a spreadsheet?” Buck murmured into his mug.
“Of course not,” Conleth snapped, who had. “But if Iwerekeeping track of key metrics related to his progress, the projected trend line would not be looking good, Moira.”
“I’m doing everything I can, Conleth,” she said with a hint of exasperation. “No matter how many times I guide him through meditation techniques to calm his animal, it doesn’t seem to sink in.”
Buck made a skeptical sound. “Can’t imagine Archie voluntarily sitting still for more than thirty seconds.”
“He swears he’s trying his best,” Moira replied. “I think he really doeswantto get better at his shifting.”
Conleth found Archie, charging after another kid at full speed. “I don’t believe he lacks motivation. And even if he did, Paige certainly doesn’t.”
“I know she’s making sure he practices his exercises. But I can’t tell if he’s not grasping what I’m trying to teach him, or ifit’s genuinely not helping.” Moira cut herself off, blowing a sharp blast on her whistle. “Estelle! No biting!”
Buck raised an eyebrow as Moira hurried off to dispense penalty time-outs. “Sounds like your current plan isn’t working. Maybe it’s time for a new one.”
“You think I haven’t realized that?” Conleth raked a hand through his hair in frustration. “But what can I do? I can hardly help Archie myself. He thinks I’m a scheming jerk trying to steal his sister. And I’m certain there’s something more behind Paige’s concern over his shifting, but I can’t find out what it is when she won’t even talk to me.”
“Do not be downcast, friend Conleth!” Ragvald announced. “I know what you must do!”
Conleth gave the wyrm shifter a flat look. “I very much doubt it.”
“No, I want to hear this,” Buck said, a broad smirk spreading across his face. “What should Conleth do, Ragvald?”
“Is it not obvious?” Ragvald spread his hands. “The boy is still dubious about the match, and clearly our honorable shield-sister Paige restrains her own desires out of fear of causing a great rift in her clan. Friend Conleth must impress his mate and her kin both! If he can but arrange a situation that allows him to demonstrate his many virtues, they cannot fail to be won over.”
“And what, exactly, do you think I’ve beentryingto do?” Conleth asked.
“I mean no offense, my friend, but you can be too subtle. You must take a more direct approach.” Ragvald raised an arm, waving. “Shield-sister Paige! Turn your attention upon us!”
At the wyrm’s call, Paige looked up from her conversation with Hetta. Conleth made frantic ‘never mind’ motions in her direction.
“Ragvald,” he muttered, trying to maintain an unconcerned smile. “I believe I asked you to promise never to try to help me.”
Ragvald clapped him on the back. “And a wyrm never breaks his word!”
Conleth breathed out in relief.
“Which is why I did not give it,” Ragvald continued cheerfully. He grasped Conleth’s shoulder, lowering his head so that they were eye-to-eye. “Do not fear, friend Conleth. I have a plan.”
Conleth opened his mouth, but it was too late. Ragvald was already turning away, lifting his voice.
