“I wasn’t aware she liked it,” he says, his attention fixed on me. I scoff at the way he talks about me as if I’m not sitting next to him.
“Sheis right here,” I speak aloud, the words leaving my mouth before I even realise I’ve said them. He turns to me, his eyes meeting mine, and I feel a shift in the room. “And you never asked me if I’d like one,” I say, darting my eyes away from his stare. He narrows his eyes at me.
“I wasn’t aware I needed to ask,” he says mildly. I fold my arms, shaking my head in irritation.
“You seem to make a lot of decisions on my behalf.”
Everyone goes still.
Rowan’s mouth flattens into a hard line.
“That was not my intention.”
“No, your intentions were very clear.”
“You’re still angry.”
“No, I actually love being told how shit I am at my job. It makes me feel great.”
“Elodie. I was angry, but not at you.”
“Well, it felt like you were.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
“It didn’t feel like it.” His gaze sharpens as he swallows thickly. We both blink out of our argument and turn to the two faces, currently pretending not to listen.
“We should return to the castle,” Rowan says aloud. I look to Mara, her eyes glossy. I nod at Rowan and stand from my chair.
“Thank you both so much for having me. I’m sorry. Breakfast was lovely,” I say, moving to Bryn to give her a small hug. Mara stands from her chair, her hand on her chest. She gives me a pained smile, and I lean in to give her a hug. She holds me tightly before tapping me on the back.
“Look after yourself.” I don’t respond, only nodding my head with a smile before giving her a wave and following Rowan out of the kitchen. We exit the house and I turn back to glance at the home, waving at Mara in her doorway.
“Get that girl her coffee, Rowan,” Mara calls, pointing her finger at him. He shakes his head, but gives her a small wave. On the bright side, there’s two horses. I head to the horse that got me here and grab the rein ready to mount.
“Would you like me to help?” Rowan says.
“No, I’m good,” I respond, throwing my leg over and mounting the horse. I sit high on the saddle and give him a small, satisfied smile. He dips his head once, acknowledging my obvious display of independence. A small smile tugs at his mouth, but it’s gone before I can even really see it.
“Well, shall we get moving? I have to return to the glasshouse after all.” I don’t mean to sound bitter, not really, but it comes out that way.
“Elodie, I —” his voice breaks, but I cut him off, kicking my feet into the side of the horse and setting off, if I got here on my own. I can get back on my own.
“Nothing. You have given me nothing! What do you need from me?” I wave at the soil so void of life. The dead plants hanging next to it have more of a chance of resurrecting than I do of growing this stupid plant. I kneel, placing a hand on the soil, closing my eyes. It won’t do anything, I know that, but I have always liked to pretend the plants can hear me, like we can communicate.
“Look, we need to work together here. I need to find my way home, and I also need to bring a friend back.” Rubbing my palms into my face, I fall back onto the floor. A frustrated groan escapes me as footsteps behind make me shut up. I tilt my head back on the floor, my eyes landing on Rowan.
“I know that magic and runes are new to you, but we don’t have talking plants here,” he says with a smirk.
“I prefer it when you’re all gloom and doom. The smirk doesn’t suit you,” I say, pulling myself off the floor and wiping the dirt off my legs. It’s a complete lie, of course.
The smirk makes him absolutely irresistible.
He knows it, I’m sure.
“That’s funny. Most people prefer me as less of the terrifying High Warden.”
“You’re not terrifying.”
