“Steady growth, as you predicted,” he said, continuing to play a soothing melody. “The flight talismans are popular with those who want a novelty at their events. And the Messenger Guild would like to renew their contract for speed talismans.”
“Very well. Is the paperwork on my desk?”
“Ready for you to sign.”
“I will want to read it first.” She hadn’t become the wealthiest bone wizard in Cerre by skipping the details.
“Naturally.”
She’d take care of a few business items first. See to it that she had a proper bath and a full night’s sleep, and then she’d return to Stran’s farmhouse. With luck, they’d be finished arguing by the time she arrived, and she’d have skipped all the tedious hand-wringing. She could already tell that Stran’s wife was going to be a complication, no matter what Kreya decided. Amurra wouldn’t want him to leave and it was clear she was in charge of the household, which was adorable, given that he was about three times her size and could crush a hornet’s nest in one fist and a rock in the other.
Maybe Zera would give them an extra day to deal with all their issues. And an extra day to quit feeling so... she wouldn’t say “hurt.” That was giving Kreya too much power over her. An extra day to quit feeling so disappointed. But then she’d go back.
Of course she would.
Wouldn’t she?
After dealing with a few business details and soaking in a bath, Zera retired to her room. She collapsed into her bed with a sigh and then stretched like a cat. It felt wonderful after the last few uncomfortable nights. She was almost sorry when Guine let himself into the room—he’d take up a portion of the bed, and she wasn’t inclined to share.
“You don’t plan to stay in Cerre?” he asked.
She hadn’t told him her plan to return to Stran’s farmhouse. “What makes you say that?”
“You completed all the payment forms for the next three weeks. I know because I filed them.”
Ahh, yes, he was not as dumb as he looked. Sometimes it was difficult to remember that. Zera smiled. “A vacation. It’s been a while since I’ve taken one.”
“You’venevertaken one. I’m pleased to hear it. I have thought for a while you work too hard.” Dropping his robe, he climbed nude into bed beside her. She decided she didn’t mind sharing the bed after all as he began to massage her shoulders. “But you were away already, and you don’t seem rested. In fact, I see bruises.” He gently kissed a bruise on her upper arm. She hadn’t even noticed that one was there.
“It was a far more active visit than I’d expected,” she admitted.
“And was your friend in danger?”
“She needed my assistance, and I helped her.”And him.She thought of Jentt and how amazing it was to see him again. He was exactly how she remembered him. Prior to dying, of course.
“Does she need your help again?”
Guine was indeed smarter than he looked. Also, he excelled at getting the knots out of her muscles. She curled to give him better access to her back. “She might.”
“Haven’t you given her enough of your time? She was your friend decades ago. That hardly obligates you to jeopardize your health for her.” He paused, adding as if afraid she’d be offended, “I only say this because I worry.”
“I’m not as young as I used to be, am I?”
“You are twice as beautiful.”
She smiled. “Good save.”
He returned to massaging her. “What I mean to say is that you’ve built a life here. This is your future. She’s your past. You don’t owe her anything more, but you owe yourself, what you’ve built and created in the years since you knew her, as much as you can give.”
Zera rolled over to face him, as a sudden thought occurred to her. “You missed me.”
He took the opportunity to kiss her. She let the kiss continue for a while, nearly distracting her from the topic at hand, but then she pushed back and said, “Is that what this is really about? You missing me? I warned you not to fall in love with me. I bore easily and will break your heart.”
“What aboutyourheart?” He laid his hand on top of her heart. “I won’t break that. Can you say the same about your friend, the same friend who abandoned you for twenty-five years? You were so angry with her. So hurt. I don’t want you hurt again.”
She considered that. What did she owe Kreya, Jentt, Marso, and Stran? Yes, they had been a team long ago. And together they’d done their best to protect Vos.
It was tempting to stay with Guine, be the successful bone wizard, and leave Eklor and the fate of Vos to the next set of heroes hungry to make a name for themselves. As far as she knew, that could be the very conclusion that her old friendswere reaching in the farmhouse: perhaps it was time for another team now to step forward and sacrifice. If Eklor lived, then others should face him. He was no longer their responsibility.
