A growl from behind them had Shiloh chuckling.After a quick squeeze, he pulled back and led her to a comfy chair.
Her gaze went directly to Ellard, and she found him watching her.Her breath caught at the emotion on his face, the open love and affection.She had to force herself to take a seat beside Leeam and Sheera.
Niran cleared his throat.“Leeam and Sheera have enjoyed their stay very much.They tell me you have made them feel at home and have fed them well.”
Leeam grinned.“Very well.”
“We would be honored if you would consider making this a permanent arrangement,” Niran said.“We would, of course, compensate you.”
“No,” Lynx said.“All we require is for them to participate in life around here.”
Shiloh nodded.“If Leeam and Sheera would agree to help in the same way all our friends do.That is all we require.”
“You mean to physically labor rather than conjure?”Niran asked for clarification.
“That is correct,” Lynx said.“None of us expect Leeam or Sheera to give us gifts or provide items.Shiloh and I prefer to do things ourselves rather than have people wait on us.Our friends are the same.We have all worked to better our lives.Conjuring items is all very well, but there is no satisfaction in things that come easy.”
“Very well,” Niran said, although Gweneth gained the impression something about this situation made him unhappy.“If you ever change your minds, please let me know.”
“Leeam and I would like to reward Gweneth and Ellard for saving us,” Sheera burst out.
“No,” Ellard said.“We don’t need anything.Gweneth, tell them.A reward isn’t necessary.”
Gweneth frowned.“Actually, there is one thing you could do for me.Ellard lost his Stores arm and because of the way it was attached, he can’t have another, even if he could afford it.Is there any way you could provide him with an arm?”
“No.It’s fine,” Ellard said.
“It’s not fine,” Gweneth snapped.“Not when you’re using your arm as an excuse to avoid happiness.”
“I don’t think—”
Lynx's gaze sharpened.“Niran, is this something you could do?”
“An arm would require a steady amount of energy expenditure,” Niran said.“We could do this for you.The arm would be viable as long as Sheera and Leeam stay nearby.”
“And if they weren’t nearby?”Shiloh asked.
“The arm would remain as long as Ellard requires it, but in reality, it would be better if Leeam and Sheera were in the vicinity.”
Gweneth’s heart thudded so loud it deafened all other sound.She watched Shiloh and Lynx exchange a glance, a nod of acknowledgment.
“We’ve changed our mind,” Lynx said.“Our fee is an arm for Ellard.”
“No, I—” Ellard broke off as an arm formed and filled out his empty tunic sleeve.He stared at the pale, almost ghostly fingers and wriggled them.Then, he lifted his head and stared straight at her, his smile of wonder making her eyes well up.
“Hand me a drink,” Lynx ordered.
Ellard stood and strode to a large float table.A large pot of tay sat beside a tray of empty goblets.He picked up the pot with his left hand out of habit.
“No, the other one,” Shiloh said, hands crossed over his massive chest.
Ellard sent her another quick glance, this one with a trace of panic.Some of her irritation with him softened, and she circled Lynx and Shiloh to join Ellard.
“Put the pot down, Ellard.Try your new hand.”
He stared at his ghostly fingers and wriggled them again.“What…” He paused to clear his throat.“What if I can’t do it?What if I drop it?”
Gweneth reached out and squeezed those ghostly fingers.They were cool to the touch.“If you drop it, we’ll pick it up and try again.”When he met her gaze again, she gave a small nod.
