Page 26 of Flying Blind

She giggled and leaned against him. In the weeks that he had been courting her, he had never steered her wrong or gotten her into danger.

They walked, and she caught the scent of alcohol.

Rayd murmured, “Lyric runs the family winery, but today, she is helping a friend’s Meadery with getting the word out. She’s compelling.”

“Right.” The scent of honey and wine fused together, and Rayd brought her into a shadowed area.

A woman’s voice called out and said, “Oh, good. You made it. I have a seat saved for you. Over here.”

Rayd walked them toward the voice, and Zara could see a creature blazing with light through her new senses. When she looked closely, the pointed ears gave it away. Zara smiled. She had met one of those before.

“Zara, there is a post at your back so no one can sneak in through the tent wall, crates to block any creepers.” Lyric chuckled. “Would you like some mead, metheglin, or melomel?”

“What’s the difference?”

“Straight up, made with herbs and honey, or made with fruit and honey.”

“Anything with raspberries?”

Rayd chuckled.

“Raspberry melomel sampler, on the house. Anything for you, Rayd?”

“Just keep her safe. There is something unsavoury at this faire.”

Lyric paused. “Yeah, that sums it up some days. Okay, I am in caretaker mode. Off you pop.”

Rayd leaned in and whispered in Zara’s ear. “Where is he?”

“Three stalls back, near a post, righthand side.”

“Thanks, sweet. I am going hunting.”

“Have fun storming the castle. Weird. It is actually appropriate here.”

He touched her cheek and left.

Lyric sat next to her and said, “So, you are going to be my sister, huh?”

Zara smiled. “I guess so. More or less. In-law or the equivalent. Legion adjacent?”

Lyric laughed. “Something like that, but I do want to get something out of the way. I am only his half-sister. Our parents got careless during a swingers’ party, and so I am my father’s beloved little bastard. Our mom was gone when I was twelve. It was never necessary to look up my paternal contributor.”

“Wow. That’s...”

“A family matter, but as you are going to be family very shortly, I thought it would be best to tell you so it feels more like you are in on the secrets.”

“Right. Do you have two forms, or does the elf only come out when you are under duress?”

Lyric cackled. “I can control it. You can see it without your eyes?”

“Yes. You glow, and your ears are pointy.”

“Those things are both true.” She chortled. “Does it bug you?”

“No, but have you found your mates yet?”

“Nope. I am also not looking. I have enough to do without worrying about some big, dark hulks.”

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