She still sleeps soundly, surrounded by blankets and pillows.
I let out a long breath.
Need to get out of here.
The sun has not yet risen over the horizon, so I move as quietly as possible. When I peel back the tent flap and walk into the world, the cold air soothes the tension in my muscles.
Since I didn’t hold my glamour stones, I’ve shifted back to my Enduar form. I harbor no desire to return to being a human just yet.
My hands ache with the need to do something other than lie on my back, so I decided to hunt and make breakfast.
Melisa didn’t enjoy our meal last night, and there is still a long way to go. She needs her strength.
I gaze across the snowy forest. A few rabbits Melisa showed me hop across the ground. They seem decidedly plump, but my magic hesitates. Ulla disliked us killing the creatures.I wonder if Melisa would have the same qualms.
Glancing back, I contemplate asking her. To my surprise, she rolls over in her sleep. Her arm reaches out to the spot where I was lying.
Something pinches my chest, but I continue forward.
It doesn’t take long to catch two rabbits, skin them as I would aruc’radh, and put them over my makeshift stove.
The wind makes cooking challenging. But thankfully, the sun is just beginning to crest over the mountain. It takes away the bite of cold while I shield the sizzling meat.
When I am finished, I turn back to the tent.
“Melisa?” I call, wondering if she would need me to shake her awake. Would that frighten her?
She makes a soft sound that echoes in my ears and warms my chest.
“Melisa, I have food.”
Slowly, she stirs from her slumber. Her arms stretch out around her as she sits up. One side of her face is red from being pressed against a pillow. She casts me a sleepy smile, smoothing the hair out of her eyes.
I can’t tell what is so charming about this sight. Objectively, she looks puffy and unkempt as she wakes, but I wish to see it every morning henceforth.
“You must forgive me,” I say a moment after.
Her smile drops. “Whatever for?”
“I killed a few of your rabbits.” Her brow furrows.
“They weren’t my rabbits. And besides, we needed to eat. Put it from your mind.”
I like that reasoning and hand her a small leg of meat. We eat in relative silence for a few moments until I can keep my mouth shut no longer.
“I have thought a lot about what you said yesterday. I do not understand why you insist on going to Zlosa, but I have agreed to watch over you. An Enduar never breaks his word.”
A half smile crosses Melisa’s lips. “That is good to hear.”
“However, while I look like one of your kind, I know nothing about your customs.”
While I am interested in learning about humans, a deeper part of me just wants to know more about her.
Melisa looks at me and takes a bite. I keep myself from letting my gaze dip down to watch her mouth.
“What customs? Ra’Sa, we are slaves. All you need to know is this: don’t talk to anyone, don’t touch anyone’s things, and do as you are told,” she says angrily.
“And what of my height?” I ask.