Page 86 of Crown of Wings and Whispers

“Here, now. None of that.”

Following Griffon’s voice, I found him sitting on the futon, fully dressed and watching me, with a large basket in his hands. Though he smiled, he looked nervous, and I wondered if our trip to the bathroom together might have embarrassed him too.

“Good morning,” he said. “I’m sitting over here to keep from ravaging you. So please don’t read anything else into the situation.”

I knew for a fact there was nothing at all appealing about me at the moment. I probably looked like death warmed over, I hadn’t brushed my teeth, and the distinct smell of my own sweat made me want to leave the room. But I bit my lips and held my tongue. Obviously, he wasn’t interested in my opinion.

“Most important news first. Bridie sent along an array of Christmas food.” He patted the basket. “After what you went through last night, it was a mistake not to have taken you with me. She wanted you to know she was disappointed, but she wishes you a Happy Christmas.”

“You didn’t take me with you because we might have run into Orion. What happened to me was no one’s fault. We came here to learn things. And we just learned that I can’t keep up my body temperature when I have a full bladder. That’s all.” I had to change the subject. “How is Archer?”

He lifted a brow.

“Don’t be silly. I’m just making conversation.”

He nodded. “Then Archer is fine. He’s bored, but he’s safe.”

“And Bridie?”

“Pleased as punch that one of her sons is compelled to stay home and eat her food.”

“Did you bring thecloch realtas?”

“I did. But must you call Kivi back today? I thought you might like time to recover. By the way, you had a fever in the night. Came and went so quickly…”

“It’s Kivi. She heals me. I thought it was Hank that did the trick, but it was Kivi. She came to me, in my mind, and healed me.” I shook my head. “She thinks we’re invincible. I think maybe last night she began to believe we are not.”

“We’re all learning that.” He looked nervous again. “If you’ll get dressed, I’d like to show you something else I retrieved from Bridie’s house.”

“What?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Well, it can’t be better than rocks and food.”

“We’ll know soon enough.”

“All right. Close your eyes.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m naked.”

He sighed but did what I asked. I was halfway to the kitchen when he added, “I peeked, just so you know.”

“That’s okay. To me, honesty is more important than chivalry. Especially now.”

31

Better Than Meat Pies

By the time I’d bathed and dressed, Griffon had folded up the bedding and warmed the meat pies by the fire. He insisted we finish eating before I could have my surprise, so I took only a couple of goodies from Bridie’s basket and didn’t take time to savor them. I was working with a caloric deficit from my Christmas Day adventures, and it looked like I would make it up by suppertime, thanks to Bridie’s baking.

While I cleaned the crumbs from the table, Griffon started fidgeting again, and I got nervous. What if the surprise was bad news?

I hung the washcloth on the side of the sink and brushed my hands together. “Okay. I’m ready.”

Griffon glanced around. “Maybe we should go outside.”

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