Page 28 of Foundling

Leita narrowed her eyes at him. What was wrong with where they were now? This was a perfectly good cave.

He means a bed, Thalia sighed.

Oh.

Cheeks burning, Leita stepped away. “You’re not going anywhere until I’m satisfied with your answers.”

“I can satisfy far more than just—”

“Ugh!” Leita threw her hands in the air and marched away.

She was meant to be meditating. Leita had even found a nice flat rock to sit on for the exercise, folding her legs under her to try communing again with the faelands.

Instead, her efforts kept being diverted. She didn’t mean to become distracted, didn’t want to be, but the dragon was making an utter nuisance of himself. The morning was cool, the sky a little clearer and the air a little fresher. He’d apparently decided now was the perfect time to stretch out his long, lean, naked body to dramatic effect.

Leita glared out of the corner of her eye; no doubt his intention. He was currently balanced on his palms, weight on his knees, back arched and wings splayed. She wanted to tell him how much he really did look like a lizard sunning itself, but then he’d know she was paying attention. Absolutely not.

His little marten friend alternated between stretching with him or dangling around his neck like a collar. Honestly, there wasn’t an ounce of dignity between them.

I knew birds preened, but I didn’t think lizards did, she grumped.

I thought you weren’t paying attention.

I’m trying not to, but it’s hard when a big, bright red male keeps flashing in the sun right next to you.

You could close your eyes, Thalia suggested.

But then he’d try to steal closer. You could guard me like I asked—

Can’t, the mare denied blithely. I’m too hungry.

That’d been what she said an hour ago when she’d up and left Leita to the mercies of a determined dragon.

When will you be back?

Whenever I’m full. Why? Can you truly not handle one little lizard?

Of course I can, she retorted, too quickly. He’s just…always watching. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were conspiring with them.

Them?

The Twins, or whichever other deities are behind this.

A horsey laugh echoed down their bond, which Leita closed off in disgust. She should’ve known better than to look for sympathy from a unicorn mare.

Exhaling gustily, Leita refocused ahead of herself. The faelands was tired and weakened from the fire, and Leita wasn’t above using that to her advantage. Now that the wildfire was out, it was time to encourage the land to heal a little faster.

Ash could be good for the soil; fire was a natural part of a forest’s cycle, after all. However, the thick layers of it, and the motes still floating in the air diluting the sunlight, weren’t healthy. She wanted to help the faelands clear away the upper layers to coax forward its healing.

If she could do that, a rainstorm would help soak the remaining ash into the soil and wash away the soot.

And…it was something to keep her busy while she stood guard over the dragon. Or, looked after. Or, no, wait…that made it sound like she was protecting him when what she was doing was securing him. Detaining him. Yes, that sounded better.

Because she wasn’t protecting or looking after this oversized, preening princeling—

“Whatever you’re doing seems serious.”

Leita’s eye twitched. “It is.”