“Here.” I turn back to Zan, who’s holding a cup of ice cream.
I blink.
“You still haven’t gotten to try your latest batch yet,” Zan says gruffly. “I saved you a scoop.”
My eyes abruptly prick with tears, and I blink them away furiously.
Howdarehe be this thoughtful, making a point of seeing me and protecting what I care about, and still be planning to leave me.
Impulsively, I hug him. Just for an instant, not long enough for him to freeze or return the motion or have to think about what to do about it and then grab the ice cream from him.
I close my eyes as the creamy, sweet blackberry flavor hits my taste buds.
I willneverget tired of this.
Or of him.
I swallow over a tight throat and look back at him intently.
Zan’s eyes darken.
I’m not telepathic, but I wonder if he can’t read my mind on this anyway.
“Excuse me?”
I turn back to the front of the table and am for a second struck speechless at the person I see there.
With the exception of Zan, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a more naturally beautiful person in my life.
Despite the bow, my power flares out, licking at her with my magical senses.
But she isn’t a dragon, or a sage.
Just a really,reallypretty person.
Wide, liquid brown eyes, gleaming straight mahogany hair, about my and Teren’s apparent age... I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is that makes her so arresting, but it’s undeniable.
“Did you want some ice cream?” I ask her.
“Oh! Is there any left?” she asks.
I glance at the ice cream tub. “Maybe? I think we can manage part of a scoop, anyway? No charge, since I’m not sure. Is that not what you wanted?”
“I mean, yes,” she admits, “but I didn’t... I didn’t expect there to be any left.”
Then why was she here?
“Oh, hi, Sunani,” Teren says, his voice forcibly lighter.
It takes me a moment to realize I’ve heard the name—the cobbler said he was going back to her. But she must be half his age, so she’s not the wife I assumed he meant. I hope.
Teren says, “I’m sorry, I should have thought to ask if I could bring you any.”
Sunani smiles.
Wow.
Teren, to his credit, just blinks a couple times.
