Page 21 of King of Forest and Fur

A small chuckle came from Rehn. “You may find that you enjoy my realm.”

Leila rolled her eyes again.

Rehn chuckled. “I’m serious. It may even help you with your powers.”

“How so?” She turned to him, arms crossed over her chest.

“Well, for one, we have an endless forest. Trees and mountains as far as you can see. Streams and wildlife. Tranquility.”

“Pff, we have that here.”

Rehn nodded slowly. “In a sense, yes. But you have everything to yourself there. You have the space and don’t have to worry about ruining the academy or injuring a student. You can be free to practice your new ability.”

Leila thought about the open spaces as she practiced what she and Xanthus had been doing. But without books or her mentor, how would she be able to progress or even learn about what had occurred earlier that day?

“I can’t practice my studies.”

“Why not? Just because your professor isn’t there to babysit?”

Leila looked at him exasperated. “Because not all the luggage I own could fit the books I would need from our library to research what this time-jumping power can do. To me or anyone else. And for your information, Professor Xanthus is a great mentor and has worked with me for almost a year. He’s the only reason I was able to do what I did.”

“You traveled back in time without him there to guide you. And brought us back,” he retorted.

“That’s not the point! That was a one-time thing and I have no idea how it happened. I need to research. I need answers that only Xanthus or my books can give me.”

Rehn didn’t react to her childish outburst.

“There are other books,” he said.

She huffed as she looked around for anything else that she might need.

“Yeah, but not the ones we have here.”

“True, but these books hold what sorcerers know, not what shifters know.”

Leila paused as she rolled over his statement in her mind.

“You have books on time travel?”

He shrugged his massive shoulders. “We may. Our library is quite extensive. As well as our knowledge. Shifters are an old species and we take our loyalties and history seriously. I’m sure you’d find mention of it in more than one book we would have.”

Rehn had made an intriguing point. It would be a great opportunity to learn about the shifter world in general, but having access to their own knowledge was exciting. Though, she didn’t want to reveal that to Rehn. He was acting smug enough as it was.

“You can’t tell me that it wouldn’t be nice to get a new perspective on this? As well as solitude and space to practice and explore your powers.”

She said nothing, just kept her back to him looking over her packed bags.

“I don’t want this to be a bad experience for you. I… we all just want you safe and this is the best way. It’s not a punishment. I hope you don’t see it as such and take advantage of what we have to offer.” Rehn’s tone had gone almost apologetic.

Leila felt her heart soften as she considered what he had said.

She turned, her hostile demeanor set aside. For now.

“I guess that wouldn’t be so bad. Not like I couldn’t use a new outlook on things.”

He was trying. She could at least do the same.

She gave him a soft smile to attempt a peace treaty.

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