The big man stood a little straighter when he saw her, his wings bobbing and his ears flicking. Oh, he was happy to see her, too.
Blushing, Maeve stopped before him. “Hello, Mister Soren.”
“Good day, Miss Maeve. Miss Blaire.”
“Hello,” said Blaire, and like the good sister she was, promptly began to wander around the goat pen and pretend she couldn’t hear them.
“How are you enjoying the festival?”
“It’s very lively.”
Maeve waited for more, but nothing came. She bit back her laugh. That was Soren.
“Indeed, it is. It’s a wonder to see everyone you know in one place all at once.”
Soren nodded, and Maeve didn’t think she imagined the way he observed her. His nostrils flared slightly and his whiskers rippled.
“You look lovely,” he said, much lower than before.
Her blush deepening, Maeve batted her lashes. “Thank you. I was hoping you’d think so.”
Ears swiveling in surprise, Soren said, likely without thinking, “You’re always lovely.”
Fates, this man. She couldn’t take his sweetness.
Stepping into his space, Maeve said quietly, “I hope I can convince you to dance with me at least once.”
That lost her his gaze, and he shifted nervously from foot to foot. “I don’t know your human dances.”
“What about mantii dances?”
He nodded jerkily. “You need wings for that, though.”
“Hmm.” Running her hand up his chest to straighten his already straight collar, Maeve said, “Well, we’ll have to see if I can tempt you, then.”
She felt the vibration of his low purr in her fingers. “You tempt me plenty,eremi.”
Tingling excitement fizzed through her, concentrating low in her belly. Fates, if she wasn’t careful, she’d talk her way into kissing this man silly right there in front of the goats.
“The festivities often become…loud in the late afternoons.Too much alcohol, not enough food. I like to slip away then. Go find a place to read.”
“Do you?” he breathed, pupils dilating.
“Yes. My favorite place is down by the east stream. There’s a big willow tree there. Do you know it?”
“I’ve walked past once or twice.”
Her lips curled in a coy smile. “Well, then. I hope I see you again today, Mister Soren.”
“Enjoy your day, Miss Maeve.”
She winked up at him. “I know I will now.”
20
Maeve loved it when a plan came together. It was almost as good as sitting in the shade of a leafy tree while Soren taught her all about the art of sunbathing. She’d declined the offer to join him, not wanting a burned nose and more freckles, but they found a happy compromise.
With a cushion under her to soften the ground, she was quite comfortable leaning against the shady tree, legs straight out before her. Soren looked quite comfortable too, laid perpendicular, head in her lap, his lower half stretched out into the sunshine. His tail curled and uncurled languidly, and every once in a while, his toes would luxuriate in a lazy spread.
