He turned his attention to the taypot, flexed the fingers of the ghostly hand.She stood close enough to feel his rigid muscles and smell his apprehension.Weird, but she knew it was fear.Her feline stretched beneath her skin, making her smile.She would shift again.She knew it with every particle of her being, and that made her happy.
“Ellard, you can do this.”
A rusty sound, almost a laugh came from deep in his throat.He reached for the pot, curled pale fingers around the handle and lifted it.A grunt of satisfaction came from him and with growing confidence, he poured tay into goblets.He set down the pot and picked up two goblets, one in each hand.A big grin wreathed his face as he handed the goblets to Lynx and Shiloh.
Gweneth’s heart went pitter-patter as Ellard returned to pick up more goblets.He handed them to Niran, to Leeam and Sheera.The last two, he carried to her then he stood beside her, sipping the delicate green liquid, his wide grin still intact.
“Will the hand shift with him to feline?”Shiloh asked.
“Yes,” Niran said.“It will do everything his other hand does.”
Ellard beamed at Niran.No other word for it, and he instantly appeared years younger.“Thank you.Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome.It’s a small thing in exchange for what you’ve done for us.Ellard’s arm will remain for as long as he requires it, but I will see to it that there is enough power to keep it in position.”
Lynx smiled at Niran and slung his arm around Shiloh’s shoulders, pulling his mate close.“Thank you for this amazing gift.”
“If you have any problems, please contact us.We can have someone here in an instant,” Niran said.“Leeam, Sheera, I believe you will enjoy living here.”
“Thank you, Uncle,” Leeam said.
Sheera hugged Niran.“We have loved our stay here.I can’t believe it will be our home.”
“Make me proud, child.”Niran blew a kiss and shimmered from sight.
“Wait,” Leeam called and Niran shimmered back into the room.
Leeam grinned at Sheera.“Uncle, we would like you here when we present our gift to our benefactors.”
Niran inclined his head.
“We have a gift already,” Lynx said.“We don’t require anything else.”
Leeam conjured a small wooden box.“This is for Ellard and Gweneth, a special thank you.It is tradition, and Ransom received the same gift from Uncle Niran.”
He opened the box and plucked out a ring.He gave it to Sheera and pulled out a second ring, which he kept.
Sheera approached her, happiness blazing on her pale features.“This is a special ring.It will shift with a feline and become invisible to all but an Incorporeal if you will it.This is a thank you for saving us and for being our friends.Let me put it on your right hand.”
Gweneth gave a faint nod and held out her hand.Secs later, a golden band with inset green stones sparkled on her fingers.She glanced at Ellard and saw a matching but more masculine version of the ring glinting on his ghostly hand.
“Thank you,” Gweneth whispered.“I didn’t…we didn’t expect a gift.”
“I know.”Sheera beamed and bounced up and down on her toes.“That’s what makes it so perfect.”
Ellard cleared his throat.“Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome,” Niran said.“Ransom’s workmanship is superior, and combined with our magic, the rings can never be lost or stolen.”With a final wave, he vanished.
“You have an arm and a ring,” Lynx said and grinned.“How does it feel?”
“A bit cold, but it works.It’s amazing,” Ellard said.“Gweneth, thank you for thinking of this.”
“Maybe now you might believe in the future.”She thought her snippy tone might drive him away.
“I deserve that.Can we talk?Walk with me in the gardens?”He offered his ghostly arm, and she bit her lip, trying not to smile.
She took his arm, the coolness making it feel more real, and they walked in silence from the room and out into the corridor.Meanwhile she could still hear Lynx and Shiloh talking.
