Page 36 of Foundling

The marten glared at him as he washed her, utter betrayal writ all over her pointed face.

“Everyone else is huffy with me,” he said mournfully, “you might as well be, too.”

What town? Thalia asked.

There’s one a few leagues north, if I remember correctly, answered Leita, ankle deep and stuck in mud.

And we’re going to walk the whole way there in the rain, or…?

Glowering, Leita didn’t want to hear anything about their predicament.

Your predicament. I’m staying out of this, Thalia reminded her from where she stood safely on a rock.

You’re supposed to be on my side.

I am, Lala. But this wasn’t your strongest point.

“I just…” she sighed. “It surprised me. That’s all.”

Mm. And the blush you’re wearing even in the chilly rain, is that from surprise, too?

“Yes.”

I see.

Unfortunately, Thalia probably did, and that just annoyed Leita more.

Hands fisted on her hips, Leita took a long, calming breath. As she let it out, she lifted her arms into the air and began to alternately wave them in front of her, encouraging the rain to move on toward the mountains.

It took some time and effort, but eventually she could feel the shift in the air as the sopping rain finally began to move.

She could possibly turn it off immediately, but all that water had to go somewhere, so best to get it moving along.

They stood there for the better part of an hour, waiting for the final clouds to pass.

I kept watch, Lala, so don’t worry. He didn’t try anything, Thalia told her to pass the time.

Thank you. She didn’t like the idea of being so vulnerable so soon in front of Attalus. Leita should’ve known better, that the sleep would find her one way or another. It was her own fault she’d been in that position, and that annoyed her most.

He was…quite attentive to you.

Leita squinted at the unicorn. I thought you didn’t like him.

I’m ambivalent. He’s your azai, you’re the one who has to like him.

“No I don’t…” she muttered petulantly.

It’d make things simpler. Shaking out her wet mane, Thalia added, He can be tedious, but thus far he’s been otherwise tolerable. Given a little more time to heal, he seems fit and healthy. He can give you strong foals.

Leita choked on her own breath. It’s a bit soon to be thinking of fucking.

Why? I’m certain he already has. How much longer did you want him to court you?

He’s hardly courting me—he’s been healing!

So once he’s healed, you’ll consider fucking? You’ve always said you wanted foals.

An undignified, frustrated sound echoed in Leita’s throat. Instead of answering, she reached out her hand and waved at Thalia. “Help me get out of this mire.”