Page 28 of Lyric of Wind
“Um, just like overly fussy about making sure you succeed?”
“Seems that way,” Kellen muttered.
“That’s tough, I’m sorry. Maybe he’ll ease up once you win the battle and stuff,” Raven said, following Kellen into a room with long tables covered in books. Lily and Bianca sat across from each other with several manuscripts unrolled in front of them.
“Maybe.” Kellen’s tone was biting, his shoulders stiff. She couldn’t really blame him. She didn’t like people telling her what to do either.
“Ladies, I’m bringing Raven to join you while I meet with Callum to discuss our plan of attack. You’ll look out for her?”
“Meaning you’ll babysit me?” Raven arched an eyebrow and plopped into the chair next to Bianca. “Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll be on my best behavior.”
“I certainly hope so. I have enough to worry about.”
With that, Kellen disappeared, taking his broodiness with him. The three women watched him go in silence, before Bianca turned to Raven with amusement dancing on her pretty face.
“Poking the bear, are you then?”
“It’s hard not to. He’s so uptight. Plus, he seems to think since he dragged me from Galway that I’m just at his beck and call. That’s not really how I roll.” Raven nodded to the papers in front of the women. “Can I help?”
“I like him. He took the time to show me the Alicorns yesterday. I think he’s quite kind, Raven,” Lily said, her voice sweet and melodious. She was an interesting contrast to the king’s powerful presence, but Raven suspected she held her own quiet strength as well. If the way the king doted on her was any indication, she was the one in control in that relationship.
“That doesn’t make him any less annoying,” Raven muttered.
“Interesting,” Bianca mused, pursing her lips, and Raven pointed a finger at her.
“Nope. Not interesting. Don’t get any ideas there.”
“What ideas?Me?Gettingideas? Wouldn’t think of it,” Bianca said cheerfully.
“She’s definitely getting ideas. Bianca loves being a matchmaker,” Lily added.
“Well, find someone else. I’m not a plaything for your amusement.”
“Hold on then.” Bianca held up a hand, tilting her head at Raven. “That’s not what I’m saying. I may enjoy helping people find love, but I would never do so just for my own fun, particularly at the expense of someone else’s feelings. If you’re saying that’s not the way of it, then I’ll respect your feelings, Raven.”
Raven read the truth in her eyes, and she sighed, pinching her nose. It was such an innate response, slapping people back when they danced too close to her vulnerable spots, that she did it without thinking. But she liked Bianca. And in the interest of finding some sort of allies in this crazy Fae world, it wouldn’t hurt her to give this friendship thing a go.
“I’m sorry. I’m not much used to talking about these things. Matters of the heart and all that.”
“Then thisisa matter of the heart?” Bianca raised an eyebrow, clearly forgiving her. Maybe it was that easy, this friendship thing.
“I…I don’t know. I can’t rightly say at the moment. He intrigues me, I guess. More so than anyone else I’ve met. Let’s just say I’m not unaffected by him. At the same time, I don’t want to be affected by him either. Is that fair?”
“That’s fair,” Lily interjected. “He’s quite gorgeous. The Fae have a powerful appeal, don’t they?”
“They do.” Bianca fanned her face. “Married over twenty years now and still just as excited by my man as the first days of our relationship.”
“That’s a fine thing, then, isn’t it?” Lily beamed at Bianca, and Raven relaxed with the focus off her.
“You take your time with all of this, Raven. Just because you have a mild attraction for a hot Fae doesn’t mean you have to do a damn thing about it. But if you want to, well, we’re your women to talk to. Now, shall we crack on?” Bianca shifted the conversation back to the manuscripts, and Raven let out a small sigh of relief. It was nice, this girlfriend thing, even if she wasn’t really sure how to navigate it. They didn’t press her or force her to explain feelings that she didn’t quite understand herself, and that was certainly something she appreciated.
“Yes. How can I help?”
“Translation key is here.” Bianca nudged a sheet of paper toward Raven. “A lot of the old Fae manuscripts are written in their own language. It’s painstaking to transcribe, so any extra eyes help.”
“Sure thing. This is right up my alley. I used to spend most of my free time in the library. Particularly in the winter,” Raven said, pulling the sheet of paper close so she could scan the writing. “Kept me warm.”
“Not much in the way of heat at your place then?” Bianca asked, and Raven glanced up, realizing she’d revealed more than intended.