Page 24 of Dryad’s Treasure

“We can do that,” Grayson agreed. “For now, let’s head back to my room. My understanding is that it’s a guest room and was never anyone’s private space.”

“That should be true.”

“It’s also where I made my last attempt.” Grayson turned his head, briefly glancing up at me as we continued down hall after hall, heading toward the opposite side of the compound. Fingers fisting, Grayson’s unease was clear, making me wish I knew how to ease his concern. Hopefully, I would remedy that soon.

A few more minutes of walking brought us back to the visitor section of the compound. There were half a dozen rooms located there, most of them hardly used over the years. Grayson opened his door. I caught a glimpse of motion out of the corner of my eye and turned just in time to see a piece of green cloth pulled through a crack in the wall. Seeing as how the quilt covering Grayson’s bed was made of the same material, it wasn’t difficult to put two and two together.

“I told him he could take some,” Grayson said, obviously seeing where my attention was. “Henry liked it so much. I couldn’t see a reason to tell him no. I hope that’s okay.”

Running my fingers through my hair, I blew out a deep breath. “I’d imagine it’s fine. All Henry has to do is tell us he needs something and we’ll get it for him. It’s not like we’d deny him.”

Grayson grinned. “But where would the fun in that be?” His soft laughter sounded nice. “Seriously, house dwellers are scavengers. It’s not in their nature to simply ask for something.” Henry had indeed asked Grayson if it was okay if he take some, but that wasn’t the same as wanting it to be handed to him. Considering he’d found the comforter, it still counted as something scavenged.

I kept my thoughts to myself. Henry’s needs were so small they hardly made a serious dent in anything, and to my knowledge, Henry had never taken anything valuable from any member of the council. Most of what was discussed was utilitarian things or food. Nothing any of us truly missed.

Grayson was at his bed, lifting the quilt. The small patch that had been removed was no more than six to eight inches in length and width. “I hope it helps keep him warm,” Grayson absently mumbled before flopping down on the bed, arms splayed out like a starfish while his legs dangled off the side.

Unsure where to sit or what to do, I just stood there, feeling awkward. Glancing around, I didn’t see much in the way of personal effects. Nothing that would hint at Grayson’s personality. The will-o’-the-wisp wore rings on nearly every finger, their style a mishmash of different eras. I’d seen will-o’-the-wisps do this before. It was their found and claimed treasure. At least it was what they could easily travel with.

Thinking of Grayson’s rings… “Do you need to take off your jewelry before we start?” Will-o’-the-wisps couldn’t take objects with them when in wisp form. Found objects either needed to be dug up, blasted out, or brought up from the seafloor by other means.

Grayson’s arms rose, his fingers splayed above his head. “Nope. They’re a part of me, just like my clothes.” He sat up, eyebrows waggling. “Unlucky for you, I don’t have to get naked or anything like that.”

Heat raced up my neck, coloring my cheeks. Spluttering, I said, “I would have turned or closed my eyes.”

“Now where would the fun in that be?” Grayson winked before letting loose a wicked sounding cackle. “By all the deities, the look on your face. As sick as you look, I should be offended.”

He really shouldn’t, given how much I liked the idea of seeing Grayson in nothing more than his flesh. Clearing my throat, I attempted to push down my rising libido. “Yes…well…now that that is cleared up, perhaps we could get started.” I wasn’t certain how will-o’-the-wisp magic worked. Most species didn’t know enough about their own abilities, let alone those of others. Magic wasn’t something that most tried figuring out. It simply was. Witches and warlocks were different, as were mages. My nose scrunched in distaste when I thought of the latter. Mages were non-magical humans that refused to accept their lot in life. I’d heard there were some good mages out there. If so, I’d yet to meet one.

Shaking thoughts of mages away, I closed the distance between Grayson and myself. I wasn’t willing to sit on the bed next to him, but the floor would work just as well and offer the distance I felt might be required.

Grayson’s eyebrow rose when I sat on the floor, but he remained blessedly silent beyond that. “What do you need me to do?” I asked now that I was more settled.

I’d thought Grayson would remain seated on the bed. Instead, he slid down the side and plopped his ass less than three feet away. Legs crossed, he stared at his hands, the barest hint of blue flames rising from his fingertips.

I watched Grayson’s chest expand with the breath he took. I swear all his earlier levity fled when he released that deep breath. “Okay.” I’d expected more, but Grayson went silent for a few seconds before he repeated, “Okay.” This time, the word felt heavier. “Let’s see what happens when I release more of my wisp form. Focus on the piece of my magic contained within you. Let’s see what you feel and go from there.”

“Sounds reasonable.” I was surprised by just how reasonable Grayson was. The spark of magic I recognized as Grayson’s was easy to find. Focusing on it, I said, “I’m ready whenever you are.”

“Then let’s do this.” Grayson’s external fire grew, licking up his hands and arms, ending at his neck. His form was still solid as his eyes slipped closed and his head tilted back. Gaia, he was a vision. Those cool, blue flames slithered around him, caressing his body and making his porcelain skin glow.

I could sit there and watch him all day. Fascinating wasn’t a strong enough word to relay my interest. Grayson’s magic pulsed within my chest, and I hummed in time with it. No, not in time with Grayson’s magic. There was music. I could hear it. Faint as it was, the sound was there all the same. It started out as gentle notes, but that peaceful cadence was soon joined by another, and then another, the tunes piling up one on top of the other, layering the music until it was little more than painful discord.

I flinched and slapped my hands over my ears, but that did little to shut out the music. I barely recognized Grayson’s hands covering my own, his voice drowned out by the pounding bass radiating through my skull. And then, as quickly as the music started, it faded until there was nothing but the gentle hum of the air circulating system.

“Martin?” Grayson’s voice held an edge of panic I’d yet to hear from him. “Look at me, Martin. Open your eyes.”

I hadn’t even realized my eyes were squeezed shut. Gentle tugging pulled my hands from my ears. Oak leaves scattered to the floor, my fingers having sprouted branches and leafed out.

“There you are.” Grayson’s voice softened as his hands cupped my face. His pale blue eyes glistened with unshed wetness. “Are you with me?” Grayson’s fingers slipped through my hair, gently raking across my scalp.

I licked my arid lips. “W-what was… Is it always like that?” I’d heard Grayson describe the call of treasure like music. I hadn’t realized how literal of a description that was.

“No.” Grayson’s hands dropped, and I immediately missed their coolness. “This place is nutty like that.” Head cocked to the side, Grayson gave me a lopsided grin. With a heavy sigh, he glanced away, head hanging. “I don’t think this is going to work.”

Panic lanced through me with the speed of lightning. “It was our first try,” I defended.

Grayson gave a sad nod. “And I think maybe it should be our last. I think⁠—”