Chương 44: Crafty Squirt

The sun's golden glow through the window made Squirt groan. She'd made it through three books, but if she didn't leave within the next few minutes, she'd never made it home before dark.

"Athereon?" came Lord Everwinter's voice like a gods damned siren call. She sighed heavily, closing the book she's just finished, returning it to the shelf, and trotting back to the office. She blinked upon realizing that all the others had left. He gave her a tired smile.

"Normally, I'd send you home, but with the limited timeframe I must insist you stay tonight." She shifted on her feet before saying, "Yeah, okay," like it wasn't what she'd been just thinking she wanted.

"I've got more work ahead of me, but I've sealed off the library. Only you can go in and out." His smile turned wry.

"I'd offer you a guest room, but I figured this would be more comfortable for you. Lowvyn is done for the night. Only I'll be in my office. You can sleep anywhere you'd like." She gave him a hard stare.

"… you sure you're not a mind reader?"

"… no?"

"No you aren't sure or no you aren't a mind reader?" He raised a brow. She nodded.

"Right. Stupid question." Then scanned the room. He sighed and nodded.

"Very well. There's a pile of furs, blankets, and pillows for you to choose from over on that couch. Use any or none at your discretion. I'll make myself available tomorrow for enchanting." She nodded slowly.

"Well then…" Leaving her to her thoughts, he turned his attention to the letter he was writing. For all intents and purposes, it really seemed like he forgot she was even there. She went back to the library and grabbed another book. The sun began to descend beyond the horizon, and she was rubbing her eyes when she had to concede she was ready for bed. After a quick pit stop in the library's bathroom and a brief toweling off in the sink, she spent some time scoping out all the spots in the library to sleep.

Every now and again, she'd hop up onto a couch or sofa, laying down to test it out, but they all had fears fighting at the corners. Libraries were not exactly filled with pleasant memories even if they were filled with pleasant things. Scowling, she took the book she was reading into the lord's office. He barely glanced up in acknowledgement, making her feel a little less put upon and awkward. Scanning the space, she knew either of the couches would be comfortable, but… Exposed.

She shifted on her feet, finding herself drawn towards the bookshelves with the lifelike leaves. She traced a few with her fingers, finding her heart settling as she did. They really were lifelike in their delicacy. It brought her comfort as much as the shelves they decorated brought out her fear. She scowled. Damnit. How was it that she was more comfortable in a forest filled with deadly beasts than a damn library?

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. She knew why, but that didn't mean she liked the reason. Fine. The library and the shelves made her uncomfortable. Did anything in this office make her comfortable? Her eyes drifted to the lord, solemnly working at the odd table in the office. She'd never bothered asking about what happened to the desk since it wasn't any of her business, but now she found herself studying it.

Scanning further to the coffee table, her cheeks flushed with a bit of shame. But this was Lord Everwinter. He… he wouldn't judge, right? He didn't even spare her a glance.

What she didn't know was that it was taking every fiber of his concentration to not look, to not ask, to not offer. Instead, he was forcing himself to concentrate on the letters he wrote and reports he compiled until he realized she'd disappeared again. So, long after the midnight hour when he finally stood from his desk, he almost didn't even notice the edge of the furs just barely visible under the coffee table. Quietly shuffling forward, he bent down to check—and there she was.

Passed out over a book under the table. He studied her sleeping face for several long minutes, partially out of his own exhaustion. Then, compelled by instinct, he inched himself down until he was seated cross legged on the floor, leaning against the couch. Nearby in case she needed anything. Far enough away that he didn't spook her. And close enough that he could guard her while he slept. Staring down at the ingredients laid out in front of her, Squirt scowled. Damnit. She couldn't put it off any longer.

Her eyes slowly drifted to the lord. He nodded without looking at her, still reading whatever report was in his hand before abruptly standing and ambling over to her spot on the carpet of his office. His commanding voice made her bristle when he asked a little too gently, "Where do you want me?" She really wanted to know how the fuck even his voice had such a presence, even though she was pretty sure the answer was magic. Groaning, she muttered, "Hand on my back for this first bit." Damn wolf.

Not that she could really fault him for mingling their magics. Likely, it had happened when his wolf had touched his nose to her wings, an attempt from the lumin, or shifter family leader, to heal one of his packmates. She could only hope he didn't have the same delusions as the pest and didn't read too closely into it. The Sia-bitch had exploited the fact that Squirt simply had more control. Any greenling would be since they were working with a pittance of magic.

It was easier to direct a glass of water than an ocean, after all, so control for minute adjustments was something Squirt could do that the Sia-bitch never could. It wasn't something helpful for, say, battle spells or enhancement as those both required an abundance of magic, but for enchanting the way Squirt was about to? She took in a few steady, deep breaths as he settled behind her, notably bringing a stack of reports with him.

His hand was so large it dwarfed her back, his fingers splayed out and reaching from one shoulder to the other without issue. Once focused, she picked up her brush, gently tugging on his magic to coax it to her. It didn't respond as eagerly as Feldan's, but just as readily. A smooth glide instead of an excited freefall. No claws of distrust or attempts to wrench back control. He didn't even pay attention to what she was doing.

Just put his hand and offered her his magic like it was the most natural thing in the world. She finished with the last flourish, then shifted out of the way, tapping the spot she had been occupying in front of her enchantment slate. He shifted himself, putting the reports down slowly, his eyes lingering on them as he twisted and she settled across from him. When his eyes finally slid from his reading material to study the setup, it was more out of a mild intrigue than anything else.

Taking his hands, she hovered them over the slate, putting her own on top before once again guiding his magic through the enchantment. This time, fascinated by the process, his eyes remained fixed on her as he faded from her mind. The gentle calls to his magic as it flowed as she directed, the expert way she manipulated it, the way her brows softened and furrowed in rotation. Bartos had shared his magic before, but not like this. This was… gentle. Easy. Surprisingly natural.

Willingly handing over control over his own magic to someone else was never something he thought he would do, let alone… actively enjoy. Particularly the way flashes of his blue made their way into her eyes. Just as suddenly as it began, it ended, leaving five large staffs lying between them. She looked tired but satisfied, scratching her head and sighing.

"And now for the hypnostones…" He hid a smile, suddenly very much looking forward to the next few hours.