Dragons of the Watch - Donita K. Paul [60]
He paused. He looked so confused and genuinely perplexed that Ellie almost took pity on him. But her outrage at his intrusion sat like a block between them.
“I’m sorry,” he said, then shook his head. “No, not really. Somehow it was right.”
“It was wrong,” said Ellie. Her voice amazed her. She didn’t sound angry. She was angry, wasn’t she?
He nodded vigorously. “You’re right. It was wrong. But it wasn’t.” His speaking came to a halt. After a few seconds he started again. This time with more of the confidence she enjoyed hearing in his every bit of conversation.
“It is wrong because it is an invasion of privacy. But it is not wrong, in this case, because we’re supposed to learn something from this. We are supposed to step up to a new level in our relationship.”
“Relationship?”
“No longer strangers who met in a bottle city. No longer co-workers, surviving and gathering information to allow us to escape. No longer just friends who enjoy each other’s company.”
Ellie merely gazed at him, not sure what to expect.
“I didn’t intentionally listen in on your thoughts. I don’t want you to be angry with me for something that came so naturally. I didn’t even notice the oddity until it was over. Let’s be patient, Ellie. I think we are going to have an unusual relationship, something powerful and astonishing. Something Wulder has ordained.”
He picked up her two hands in his. “Can you forgive the trespass?”
Speechless, she nodded.
He dropped her hands and pulled her into a hug. “And the first thing we are going to do together as something stronger than a team is gain Old One’s confidence with tea and daggarts. Then we will tame the wild ones.” He paused. “That may take more than daggarts.”
She started laughing.
“It’s going to be all right, Ellie.”
She nodded and giggled and leaned into his embrace.
They resumed their journey, but the wound and the healing took its toll on Ellicinderpart’s stamina. After two hours of steady walking, she staggered and almost fell. Her hand on the side of the cart kept her upright. “I’ve got to stop and rest, Bealomondore. I’m accustomed to hiking, but not while talking nonstop.”
“There’s a shady spot ahead.”
Beneath a huge spinet tree, they paused for a break, and Bealomondore tucked Tilly’s diary into the cart.
Ellie sat in the cool grass. Bealomondore checked the harness on Tak to make sure the unusual device wasn’t wearing on his hide. He then went to sit beside his lady tumanhofer.
She picked a small purple wildflower and sniffed it, then offered it to Bealomondore. “I’ve never talked like that to anyone.”
He took it and threaded the stem through the buttonhole on his lapel. “Do you mean for that length of time?”
“No. I guess I mean the content. I’ve never had a friend to share ideas with. Big ideas. Most conversations seem to be about crops, recipes, and what’s come in at the mercantile.”
“Ah, in the circle I came from there were two distinct groups. In one, it was considered notable to be able to debate the issues of the time. In the other, esteem was lauded on those who were fluent in speaking of art, fashion, and the current tastes of society.”
“You listen to me.”
“Of course I listen to you.”
“There’s no ‘of course’ about it.”
He poked her in the side. “How do you know I am really listening?”
“Because you answer with practical ideas about the matters I’ve brought up.”
“So tell me, dear lady. Do you agree with me to keep the peace?”
“No, we agree on most things. I am rather intent on gathering bits of a more sophisticated viewpoint. If I make it to the coronation ball, I do not want to act like a country bumpkin.”
“I think your books have taken care of that.”
“Then I’m grateful to Gramps for insisting that we learn to read. Gramps listens to me at home.”
“So you do have someone to talk to.”
She pointed