Arrows of Time - Kim Falconer [178]
A variety of things. Drayco licked his front paw and swiped his ears a few times.
‘Such as?’
He tilted his head. The future of Temple Los Loma seems high on the list. Jarrod and you…the Lupins. They don’t mention me.
‘Don’t they?’ She laughed. ‘Does that sting?’
He dropped his face to hers and stared, eye to eye. Suddenly, he licked her nose, making her squeak. Bees sting, Maudi. Inclusion or exclusion doesn’t have the same effect.
‘You’re such a philosopher.’
I got that from you.
She rolled onto her stomach and pulled the covers over her head. ‘Not today,’ she said, laughing into the pillow.
And why is that?
She rolled over again and looked out the window. ‘Because today I’m back in my body, the sun is shining, you are here, and I suspect there is some good hunting in these plains.’
You’re optimistic. It’s a desert.
‘Yes! And I’m hungry too!’ She threw back the covers and looked at her naked body. She ran her hand down her left arm, caressing her temple cat tattoo, and followed the line of the serpent from her hip to the back of her knee, noticing the nick. ‘Where’s Grayson?’
He comes. He’s bringing food for both of us. Good man.
The knock on the door made her smile. ‘Enter all ye who bear my breakfast.’
‘Does lunch count?’ he asked, opening the door and looking in.
She glanced out the window again and noted the sun’s height in the sky. ‘You’ll have to forgive me if I’ve overslept.’
He chuckled. ‘You’ve been asleep far too long—like a fairytale princess.’
‘What kind of princess?’
‘Rosette,’ he chided, setting the tray down on a low table and pulling her into an embrace. ‘We must expand your literary knowledge.’
She hugged him tightly before squirming away. ‘Certainly, but first I must eat. What have you brought?’
I’d say the raw lamb shank is mine. Drayco licked his chops.
Rosette pulled a sarong off the bed and wrapped it around her body, twisting the ends and tying them at the nape of her neck. She dropped her chin to let her hair fall in front of her, then gathered it and twisted it into a knot on top of her head as she straightened. Grayson handed her a chopstick and, kissing his cheek, she secured her hair with it. ‘I’m ready.’ She leaned towards the tray, inhaling. ‘Show me the goods.’
He lifted the lid. There was a tiny bowl of steaming oats, a little jug of goat milk, honey and an even tinier dollop of stewed apples and rhubarb.
‘You must think I’m an infant. I could eat three times this much.’
‘That’s what Kali feared, hence the modest meal.’
He sat next to her and circled her waist with one arm. ‘Your body’s been in cold storage, remember? You need to take it easy.’
‘How could I forget?’
He kissed her lips. ‘Drink this first,’ he said, uncovering a small bottle of dark liquid.
She wrinkled her nose and pulled back.
‘It’ll aid digestion. Otherwise…’
‘Don’t tell me any symptoms. You know what I’m like! Hear it today; have it tomorrow.’
He laughed. ‘Then drink this and all will be well.’
She took the bottle from him and drained it in one go. Her face contorted. ‘What was in that?’ She shook her head. ‘It’s vile.’
‘It’s Annadusa’s.’
‘Tastes like it.’ She took a spoonful of porridge.
‘Better?’ he asked.
‘Delicious,’ she said around another steaming mouthful.
They chatted lightly for some time. She felt reluctant to talk about anything but the most trivial. No doubt there would be deep discussions soon enough. For now, she wanted to enjoy the day without any complexities. She wanted only peace and serenity.
That won’t last, Maudi.
Why do you say that?
A trio of caws blasted through her open window. The branch outside swayed as the ravens landed, jostling for position, rustling their wings. They stared into the room, alternately squawking and preening, white down showing beneath black feathers.
Because the Three Sisters are here.
Rosette put down her spoon. ‘Kali!’ she yelled, making Grayson lean back. ‘Call off your spies.’ She laughed as the Three Sisters took flight. ‘Come in here and see for yourself