Page 55 of Lost Girl

I don’t even want to look at her after Soren’s nonsensical commentary, but those blues of her beckon me, dragging my gaze up to her angelic face. Her lips quirk with this bashful smile as she holds my stare, and the first thing that pops in my head ismine.

Takes everything in me not to groan aloud at the wayward direction my thoughts keep going. Doesn’t matter how much I try convincing myself otherwise, ever since I rescued Wendy from that dark hole last night, it grows louder and louder, more prominent.

Because instincts aren’t mediocre thoughts.

And yet, they are when you have no business feeling them.

Wendy can never and will never be mine.

She has a life outside my world, and while I could get used to having her at my side day in and day out, we all know that’s not going to happen.

She wants to go home, and that home doesn’t include me.

* * *

"We'll be back later,”I holler at Soren from the front door.

After breakfast, he hopped in the shower to get ready for the day. Today’s one of his shifts at the port, meaning I’ll be down a man on the build until later this afternoon.

"Door’s always open! Just come in!” he hollers back.

Motioning for Wendy to head out first, I shut the door behind us and follow her down the steps. Although I still catch her wince every few minutes or so, I’m pleased to see the color in her face has returned. The sweats are gone, too.

She looks better, oddly beautiful in my sister’s dress, though I’m sure she feels anything but.

“It’s so nice out today.” She takes in our surroundings as we tread the overused trail carved in the land.

It is quite nice. Blue skies, a slight breeze to counteract the sunshine. Some of the foliage has begun shedding its leaves as the cooler months approach.

The better part of this scenery?

Her.

“Enjoy the sunshine while you can, little wolf. Autumn and winter are pretty gloomy around these parts.”

Wendy whips her dark head toward me, an equally dark brow arching in question. “You guys have seasons here?”

“Of course,” I chuckle. “We may not be a part of the human realm, but we’re still a realm in the world no less. Our seasons aren’t parallel with yours, though. They work a bit different.”

“How so?”

“Well, for starters, we’re a season behind, so it’s summer here—”

“But it’s fall back home,” she finishes.

“Exactly.” I nod. “Certain weather isn’t specific to certain terrains, either. Your hemispheres and the how the world tilts on its axis doesn’t apply here. For instance, our mountains aren’t the only place that sees snow. Even Hook’s Cascade gets blanketed by the white stuff during the winter months.”

"How is that possible?" She's astounded, earning her another chuckle.

"Magic." I shrug.

“So the vegetation isn’t affected?”

“Nope.”

“Wow,” she whispers, craning her head back to catch the tops of the trees. “This place is just—Oof.” Her footing stalls then, hand flying to her abdomen as she bends forward.

Just like mama.

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