Girl of Iron and Magic

16.

16.
PRESENT DAY

Rowan's meant to come with us to Serades, Lotte thought at Maloru for the tenth time that morning. But the boy was being stubborn to a fault.

It was true that he didn't like Rowan, but that was only because she was human. He sat chewing his breakfast of wilted nettles in silence and didn't look at either of them.

Fintan was back in Lotte's pocket from the moment Rowan awoke. He refused to show himself unless there was a clear decision about Rowan.

Do you have any idea how hard it is when the only person who understands you is ignoring you? Lotte thought.

She knew he could hear what she was saying, because she was getting better at feeling the words travel their connection. It was a little like talking without a mouth. Her thoughts—except the ones that got put into word—got left behind.

Maloru sighed, looking ashamed. "I'm sorry. It's just..." He looked at Rowan who gave him a puzzled look. "Are you sure about this?"

"Sure about what?" Rowan asked.

"I was talking to Lotte..."

I'm sure, Lotte thought. I'm very sure.

"Fine. I'll trust your judgment." He cut Lotte a serious look. "But remember to trust mine too in...in the future."

Lotte narrowed her eyes. Whatever Maloru was saying sounded suspicious and she told him exactly that.

"Just... just trust me." Before Lotte could say anymore, he nodded towards Rowan. "Hey human, we're headed to Serades too. You can join us. Lotte has a visa."

Rowan's jaw dropped, but her look of astonishment only grew when Fintan popped out of Lotte's pocket and settled on Maloru's shoulder. She pointed. "There's a flying lizard on your shoulder."

Fintan puffed out smoke in annoyance.

"He's a dragon," Maloru said. "His name's Fintan and he's our visa."

"No way," Rowan said, but she was grinning.

Some time later, they were all back in the car. The fire in Fayder appeared to have died down, though smoke still travelled on the wind. Lotte sunk into her thoughts of last night.

The curse had not liked that Blue succeeded to reveal who he was to her. It proceeded to punish him for half the night. He had promised her it couldn't kill him. He tried to smile and told her she could leave if she wanted.

But how could she leave him like that? She couldn't touch him, but she waited there hours, tears running down her cheeks as she listened to his pain. Each fork of violet lightening that slid over his skin was like a needle in her heart.

Finally, near dawn, the curse let up. She seized him in her own arms, fingers running through his hair, cheek pressed to his—doing everything in her power to comfort him.

And like that, the night ended.

Lotte sighed.

"Oooh huuu, that's the sound of someone in love," Rowan said.

"Lotte said she was thinking about ink," Maloru immediately translated.

"Mmmhmm..." Rowan smiled knowingly. "We're calling it ink these days, are we? So what's she like? Or are you one of those people who like...men?"

"You have no idea how Lotte feels strongly about ink," Maloru said, without even listening to Lotte's responses. "You would too, if you'd be able to do half the things she can."