Malphas arched his brow as he heard her father’s thoughts. At least the mortal was wise enough to know the truth.
“What exactly are your intentions for my daughter?”
Malphas turned to face her. “That is entirely up to her.”
3
Lilliana paused as she watched Caleb come down from the roof. She still couldn’t believe that he was here. For over two months, he’d helped her and her father with chores, and had slept happily in the barn.
‘Course, the barn had never looked better. While her father had intended to make Caleb’s stay there motivation to fix the roof, Caleb had gone far beyond those expectations. The barn had never looked better. There was even an addition that served as Caleb’s bedroom. It was quite impressive.
And he’d done it all by the sweat of his own brow. Not once had Caleb resorted to his powers. He’d learned that he actually liked working with his hands.
Creating rather than destroying.
“Any idiot or monster can tear something down. It takes vision, intelligence, and talent to create out of thin air.”She could still see the satisfaction on his face when he’d said those words to her.
He smiled as she joined him by his side. “I brought you some water.” She held the cup in her hand out toward him.
“Thank you.”
She took his hand into hers. “You’ve scraped your knuckles.”
“A little bit.”
Little bit, nothing. That had to hurt.
She shook her head, amazed by him. “I can’t believe you actually do this by hand.” His powers were such that he could blink and do it.
“Doesn’t make sense to me, either. But I rather like working. It’s good to create and I’ve never made anything before.” He gave her a strange look. “Other than corpses.”
“Caleb!” She both loved and hated whenever he teased her so. Loved the fact that he felt comfortable enough to be honest, but hated some of the facts of his past that he relayed. That being said, he’d come a long way.
And she deeply loved him for that. Killing was no longer his automatic response for all grievances.
But as much as she loved him, she knew that sooner or later he’d head home.
What was she going to do then? She couldn’t imagine a day without his sarcasm and humor. As irritated as it could make her, she actually looked forward to it.
And he was a good listener. He never judged her or made her feel bad about anything. No matter how unorthodox her thoughts.
With an adorable smile, he handed her the cup she’d brought. “I better get back to work before your dad accuses me of making eyes at you again.”
Laughing, she headed back toward their cottage.
Malphas watched as Lilliana headed inside. In truth, he wanted to follow after her and make sure to lock her father out.
That would only get them both in trouble.
Something he felt as soon as he returned to the roof where her father was waiting with more straw. “Didn’t think to bring me any water, did you?”
“Uh…”
Ophelos laughed. “Think nothing of it. I’m just messing with you.” He clapped Malphas on the back. “I’m more perturbed me daughter forgot she has a father up here sweating.”
When had they become so comfortable that the old man would touch him in such a friendly manner? It should scare him.
But strangely, he liked it.
