Page 51 of Swords and Curses

Nimue laughed again. "And childlike tantrums when she fails."

"That too. Give her a few days, and she'll have it mastered." Eldon looked at her. "How are you feeling?"

"A little sore and drained, but I'm sure it will pass soon. I'll move back to the mansion tonight and get out of your way," she said, straightening her shawl in an effort to conceal her arms.

"About that. I talked with Eli and Zalan, and they believe it would be best if you stayed here," Eldon lied smoothly. "No matter how well behaved Zalan's soldiers are, I wouldn't trust a house full of Gwaed Gam around a Seelie, even half of one. There are two rooms here, and I'm spending most of my time teaching Rosa, so I'm more likely going to be in your way and not the other way around."

Stop talking, idiot, Eldon berated himself. The silence stretched out between them for several long moments before it was interrupted by Rosa.

"It's a good idea," she said from the doorway. "You're still healing and getting your mind right. The last thing you need is a house full of noisy Gwaed Gam. Hell, I've been thinking of moving back in myself."

"You have a tower, princess," Eldon snorted. "As the eldest Wylt, I outrank you. The cottage is mine."

"Pfft, fine. You'll have to get yourself another double bed. You won't fit in a single."

"I will…" Nimue began, but she was shouted down by Eldon and Rosa's protests.

"It's fine, Nimue. I can conjure up another bed. You're hurt and I'm not, so don't argue," Eldon said sternly.

"I wasn't arguing. You were arguing with yourself," Nimue replied.

"He does that. I just tune him out until he runs out of breath."

"Lucky your cooking is better than your magic," Eldon retorted. "Come, Rhosyn, you've annoyed Nimue enough for one day."

"Make sure you change the sheets, Nim. Who knows what he's been…ow!" Rosa complained as he took her by the ear and opened the garden gate.

"We'll see you later, Nimue," Eldon said over Rosa high-pitched calls of abuse.

Once the gate had shut, Rosa shook him off. "Ease up, you cantankerous old wizard."

"Show some respect for your elders, and I will." They walked through the parks until they were out of earshot of the cottage.

"Nice lie you told back there," Rosa said impishly.

"What lies?"

"The one how she needs to stay in the cottage because Eli said so. Admit it. You're the one that's worried about her."

"Of course I'm worried about her," Eldon said, pushing a hand through his tangled hair. "I need to be able to keep an eye on her in case the queen tries to regain control of her mind or if she tries to contact the Aos Si."

"You are stupidly paranoid." Rosa shook her head. "Now that she's in her own mind, there's no way in hell she'd help the queen. Ryn convinced her the first time before she knew you because she had no family. She's got one now, and she won't willingly go back to the queen. You should see what…never mind." Rosa stuffed her hands in the pockets of her jacket.

"See what, Rhosyn?"

"Doesn't matter. Nimue will tell you if she wants. It's not my place."

"I see." Eldon put an arm around her shoulders. "Thank you for trying with her. She needs a woman to talk to."

"True, but I'm not the Wylt she needs forgiveness from."

"Forgiveness is a process."

"Then start processing because we need her for an ally, and you need to let all that guilt you carry go."

"There's so much I wouldn't even know where to start." Eldon shook his head. "Enough talk about my guilt. We have work to do."

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

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