The admission told me just how not-fine Aileana was.
“I know,” I murmured, rubbing her back.
“I’ll get used to it.” She paused. “I have to. Ryllae isn’t going anywhere.”
Conversations filtered through the air, and I glanced behind us as Kysha and Maiela emerged out of the forest.
“We should get settled.” Tilting her head, she looked at the cave before tsk’ing. “Give me a minute. I can make this place more comfortable.”
Leaning against the shale, I watched Aileana work. She opened her hands and ribbons slipped from her palms, slithering like snakes around the cave as they followed their mistress’ every command. Moss grew on the rocky floor, a flourishing apple tree erupted in the corner, and vines crawled up the walls.
She ran an assessing eye over her work as the others caught up.
“It looks great in here,” Kysha said. “You’re very gifted, Aileana.”
My mate preened just as Daegal said to me, “Do you want first watch, or should I take it, Xan?”
“I’ll do it,” was my reply. At the same time, Aileana said, “I’ll take the watch.”
I turned and looked her over, frowning. “You should rest after using so much magic, love.” The last thing we needed was for her to end up sleeping for days. We were in the middle of a dying forest, and I was certain those wolves weren’t the only dangers lurking in the darkness.
“I’m not tired,” she said stubbornly.
“Aileana—”
She put her hand on my arm. “Xander.” Her tone made it clear she wasn’t about to drop this idea. “I want to do the watch.”
“Why don’t we draw straws?” Kysha suggested, ever the peacekeeper, as she stepped between us with her hands held up in the air. Dropping her pack, her gaze flicked from me to Aileana. “Let fate decide who keeps first watch. Mai, could you get some sticks?”
“Of course, love.” Maiela hurried out of the cave.
While her wife was collecting twigs, Kysha, who was half Light Elf and half witch, placed her bow on the ground and pulled off her hood, shaking out her dark brown hair. She opened her hands as violet ribbons slipped from her palms. They floated high, turning into orbs that hovered at the top of the cave.
Maiela returned, and the six of us stood in a circle. One by one, following the halfling’s direction, we all drew a stick. Keeping our fists closed, we placed them in the middle of our group.
“Now what?” Aileana asked, her brows furrowed.
It was during moments like these that I was reminded of Aileana’s secluded upbringing. She never had the chance to play simple village games like tag, chase, and hide and seek. She didn’t get to draw sticks or tell stories or do the simple things that Saena and I did every day when we were young.
“On the count of three, we open our hands,” Kysha instructed, her voice kind and non-judgmental. “The smallest stick gets first watch.”
“Sounds simple enough,” Aileana replied.
Kysha smiled. “It is.” She counted down, and then, as one, we unfurled our fingers.
Aileana let out awhoopbefore turning and pressing a smug kiss to my lips. “There you go, dragon boy.” She waved the smallest stick in the air, beaming. “It looks like I get my way after all.”
For a moment, the shadows that had been haunting Aileana since our encounter with the wolves cleared, and she grinned victoriously.
I grumbled, but she plopped down at the front of the cave. “Go to sleep,” she ordered, drawing her daggers. “I will wake any of you if there’s any trouble.”
I wasn’t so sure about that. Aileana loved to tackle problems by herself. But I also knew there was no fighting with her when she got like this.
She’s as stubborn as you are,the dragon said smugly.
Shut up.
A chuffing sound that sounded remarkably like a laugh came from the beast living beneath my skin.I’m just saying, you’re lucky she listens to anything you say.