The Spell of Rosette - Kim Falconer [46]
Feel better?
‘A bit.’
Too many people?
Rosette sighed. ‘Maybe we should wait for Clay.’
You have to get used to them at some point. Drayco sat, resting his head in her lap. We are meant to be here for a fair while.
Rosette’s nose twitched when she heard her own reasoning coming back at her. She smiled. To think she’d been worried about how Drayco would cope. She stood up, letting out a little laugh.
That sounds better.
‘It feels better, Dray.’
The traffic in the courtyard had thinned with only a few stragglers darting through, robes flying out behind pumping legs. She put her hand to her forehead and scanned the avenue leading to the oval, shading her eyes from the noonday sun.
‘We’re going to miss the start.’
If we don’t go now, we’ll miss the finish.
Rosette kept gazing up ahead until Drayco nipped her hand.
Someone’s coming.
Where?
Behind.
Her spine stiffened.
‘Are you lost?’
Rosette spun around and looked into the face of a tall, solid-built man in a black robe. His expression was sunny, his manner purposeful. He had a strong jaw, a shaved head, smooth skin and when he smiled, his eyes crinkled with delight.
‘Pardon me?’ she said.
‘It looks to me like you and your companion are lost,’ he said again, this time directing his words to Drayco as well.
‘We’re just getting our bearings.’
He watched her with an intensity that gave her goose bumps. His eyes were green, flecked with gold and brown and shaped like a cat’s.
‘I know a short cut,’ he said. ‘Come on.’
‘What?’ Rosette creased her forehead.
‘A “short cut”,’ he enunciated slowly. ‘It’s a way of getting somewhere faster, more direct.’
‘I’m familiar with the term,’ she said, suppressing a giggle.
‘I can get you right up close to the demonstrations, if you want…and you will want. They aren’t to be missed.’
Shall we? Drayco nudged her hand. He’s harmless.
Harmless? He looks to me like he could mow down an army blindfolded.
Drayco sneezed. You’re right. Let me correct myself. He looks like he means us no harm.
She hesitated. Shyness washed over her, making her wish she were back at Nell’s cottage. She imagined herself sitting in front of the hearth, listening to her mentor read from The Stellar Opus while she combed grass seeds from Drayco’s fur.
‘Thanks, but I should probably find my own way.’
‘Should? Mine’s quicker.’ He winked. ‘Come on,’ he said, holding out his hand. ‘You won’t regret it.’
She hung back.
He smiled at her anew. ‘Ah. I have no manners.’ He slapped his hand to his forehead. ‘Let me introduce myself.’ He turned his back on her for a second then spun around as if seeing her for the first time. ‘I’m Rowan.’ He lifted his right hand, palm upward, in a gesture of open greeting.
Rosette responded automatically in the same way, their palms touching. She took his hand and felt the fire of his grip. Energy jolted up her arm, like a zap of lightning. She blocked it before it reached her elbow.
‘I’m Rosette,’ she said, surprised by the tingling sensation. She looked deeper into his eyes. She felt a strength of purpose beneath his jovial manner. He’d been in plenty of battles, she could tell. She suspected there was more to his name than just plain ‘Rowan’.
‘You two are from the Dumarkian Woods, I’ll wager.’ He fixed his eyes on the cat as he spoke.
‘This is my familiar, Drayco.’
‘Honoured,’ he said, bowing his head slightly to both. ‘Can I show you the way now? Come or not, I’ve got to run. I can’t miss this.’
Nor can we. Come on, Maudi. It’s all good.
‘Thank you, Rowan. Lead the way, please.’
As he turned, she saw a stunning tattoo at the back of his neck—two wings, extended in flight, a grey wash of feathers,