Page 48 of Morel Dilemma

“My father’s boathouse isn’t usually a staging point for criminal activities.” Rylana wondered how many of his warriors the captain had brought. If Sylin spotted numerous armed elves lurking, she wouldn’t come to this meeting.

“I suspected not,” Layothlee said, “but some of the enclave’s guards objected obstreperously to the idea of me coming alone.”

“Not entirely for reasons of your safety,” Tassani murmured.

“I believe some of those who don’t want to see Sylin reunited with the family may have realized the queen has communicated with her through intermediaries.” Layothlee pointed at her own chest before gesturing to Rylana.

“I do feel a bit like a matchmaker trying to get a couple together,” Rylana said.

“A reluctant couple?” Layothlee smiled and looked up the slope toward the estate, though the castle wasn’t in view from below. After that, her gaze skimmed the lake. “We haven’t detected her in the area yet. You said she’s coming? Lord Jildarin used the word probably.”

“Yes, and he was quoting me. I can’t promise anything, especially if you’ve got guards lurking about. Sylin is good at avoiding elves with potentially inimical intent.”

“We’ve noticed,” Tassani said dryly. “Never before have I failed to apprehend people when I knew precisely where they lived.”

“Sylin doesn’t live anywhere, as far as I know.”

“She spends more time at that coffee shop than I do my house in the enclave.”

“True, but she doesn’t have a bed there or anything.” Rylana didn’t mention that Sylin had possibly taken up residence in the attic of the bakery next door.

“I don’t imagine she’s had many beds in her life.” Layothlee shook her head in apparent sympathy. “I feel guilty that I enjoyed a nice, safe, and furniture-filled childhood—and life in general—when she… Is it true that she was raised by wolves?” Layothlee looked around again, beaming curiosity.

Unlike Sylin, she didn’t have any reluctance about meeting long-lost relatives.

Rylana didn’t know if her elven comrade was in earshot—or even on this side of the lake. If Sylin had spotted Tezilly and Brella waiting for their special shipment, she might have been distracted by wanting to know what they’d ordered. Rylana admitted to curiosity about that herself.

“I think she spent at least part of her childhood fending for herself in the woods,” Rylana said, “but she hasn’t told me everything about her past, and I’m not great at telling when she’s lying. Or joking is maybe what I should say. I don’t think she’s mendacious in general. Just private. And sarcastic. But her delivery is so deadpan that you don’t always realize it when she’s being sarcastic.”

“I look forward to speaking with her.” Layothlee raised her voice to be heard farther into the deepening night. “Maybe I’ll wait inside the boathouse.”

She gestured for Tassani to stay where he was, then walked up the dock to the spur that led to the small structure, one side open to the water so small craft could be paddled in and out.

Taking the hint, Tassani walked farther up the beach to leave the route to the dock open. Though Rylana doubted Sylin would mind walking past her, she followed him to further open the way.

“Have you battled any dragons lately?” Tassani positioned himself to look out toward the lake, though Rylana had little doubt he was keeping the boathouse in his peripheral vision.

“Not since the Lucky Island encounter,” she said. “I’m hoping Jildarin’s family has forgotten about me.”

“And how distracting you are?” Tassani sounded amused and looked at her.

It was growing too dark to make out facial features, but Rylana imagined his eyebrows twitching.

“Yes. My legendary beauty draws male dragons from all around the world, and they’re helpless to resist my allure, preferring my radiant companionship to mating with their own kind.”

“Your beauty is lovely,” Tassani said, “but I would guess it’s your willingness to stand up to dragons and battle them when the odds are not in your favor that draws the eyes of their kind.”

“Despite what his mother and aunt think, Jildarin’s eyes aren’t drawn.” Rylana thought about their shared kiss, but Jildarin had made it clear that had been a mistake. An alcohol-induced mistake. “Even if his eyes were drawn, I think it would be because I sold his gnomish commercial ovens and keep his books balanced.”

“Mathematical accomplishments aren’t historically proven ways to woo dragons.”

“Yup. Hence why he’s not drawn.”

“No? He flew you here on his back.” Tassani waved to indicate he’d seen them over the lake. He and Layothlee must have arrived quite early. “It’s rare for even their longstanding elven allies to be invited to ride on a dragon. Most of their kind consider it demeaning to carry a rider, as if they were a beast of burden. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a human on a dragon.”

“I was helping him forage for mushrooms earlier.”

“Something dragons are known to deeply desire.” Tassani snorted softly.