Aunt Gwen’s mouth puckered, and she peered down the street again. “Opalin and Roosep should be here any minute. They knew you wanted to leave at seven.”
Before I could search for them, a flash of magic puffed at my feet, and adillemsillappeared.
“Primelle Hollaran, you have a message,” it chirped.
I leaned down and picked up the tiny messenger bird with purple feathers and a long yellow furry tail. “Yes?”
The dillemsill squeaked through its small beak, “Harrietta would like you to know that she won’t make it to your residence this morning as she’d hoped. She’s heartbroken she won’t see you, and she requests you connect with her as soon as you’re able, and to also send her regular updates during your travels.”
I smiled sadly. I wasn’t surprised by the message. Not only did my friend have a young infant, but she was also newly married and was already back to work even though Siam was so young. But Ree had married at averyyoung age, and sheand Bennif needed rulibs, even more so now that they had an additional mouth to feed.
Of course, Ree and Bennif hadn’t expected to conceive so soon. Miraculously, Ree had fallen pregnant the first month they’d begun trying for a family. And even though it normally took females decades, if not centuries, to conceive, Ree had fallen pregnant immediately and had subsequently become quite overwhelmed.
My aunt patted my shoulder. “It was as we guessed.”
“Indeed.” I sighed. “Oh well. She has a lot on her plate without me adding to her burdens.”
I brought the bird closer to my mouth so it could hear my message clearly. “Please inform her that I’ll miss her as well, and I’ll see her soon. And, of course, I’ll check in as often as I can.”
“Is that all, miss?” the bird chirped.
“Yes.” I set it down, being careful to avoid putting the small bird anywhere a domal’s hooves could tramp on it in the road.
The dillemsill began to spin. Its wings flapped and twirled around its body as the small creature’s magic grew. It spun so fast it became a blur, and then in a wink of magic, it disappeared.
I ran a hand down my braid and eyed the street again. “I should really get going. Perhaps Opalin and Roosep got waylaid too,and?—”
“Are you off hunting as well, Prim?” a boisterous male called from down the lane.
My spine stiffened, and the hairs on the back of my neck tingled. I was so tempted not to turn around.Sotempted, but if Abel was also after the Wishing Stone, there would be no avoiding him. No matter how quickly I planned to traverse the land, he was bound to catch me.
Stars Above. Just my luck.
I swung around, my smile brittle. Sure enough, Abel was also packing supplies onto a carpet. I sighed.“I am, and from the looks of it, so are you?”
My aunt muttered something under her breath. I didn’t catch it, but I doubted it was flattering.
Abel stood tall, his broad shoulders and meaty build making him dwarf those around him. “Aye, every night that I’ve seen the Stone in the sky, I’ve felt it pulling me. It wants me to find it.”
I rolled my eyes, not even caring if he saw it. “I’m sure it does,” I replied sarcastically, and then added, “It probably wants to be found by you as much as I want to marry you.”
His eyebrows slammed together. “What was that last bit you just said?”
“Nothing.” I knew there was no point in repeating it. It wouldn’t deter him.
He began walking toward me, the usual swagger in his step. “Perhaps we could travel together?” His words dipped suggestively. “Side by side? I could watch out for you,especially when you’re sleeping. You know how the Wood can be at night when?—”
“That’s what wards are for, Abel, so I’ll pass, but good luck to you.” Before he could say another word, I swirled back around, but I still caught Vissy’s grin.
“When are you going to give up, Abe?” she called good-naturedly. “Prim’s made it abundantly clear she’s not interested.”
A grunt came, then the puff of Abel’s aura, swelling with irritation, beat against my back. “Some females play hard to get. Everyone knows that. Doesn’t mean she doesn’t actually want me.”
“Actually, it does,” I remarked.
Abel just grunted.
I sighed and gave my aunt a side-eye.
