Page 129 of A Soul to Guide

“Can I borrow your sight while I do it?”

“No.”

“Oh, come on!” she exclaimed, while stamping one of her feet. “It’s not like you need it more than I do.”

“It’s mine,” he tried to roar back, but instead, it came out as a chuckle when she gave him a glare.

Raewyn placed her hands on her hips. “Sharing is caring. It’s the nice thing to do.”

Merikh leaned over her until the tip of his snout was just a hair’s distance from her nose. Her eyelids twitched when his breath told her how close he was.

With his voice filled with a malevolent kind of humour, he said, “When have I ever said I was nice?”

“Jerk,” she lightly bit, before using the heel of her foot to kick him in the shin.

Then, with her nose turned upwards, she walked off.

“A little to the left,” he stated, and she readjusted her path to align better with the entrance to his cave.

“Thank you,” she said, all snooty-like. “But I still think you’re churlish.”

His chest rumbled with a laugh he didn’t let out. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d found someone so funny, or someone who could make him want to laugh so freely.

“You should consider my rejection as faith in your capabilities, little ‘scientist.’”

When she lifted her nose even further and she was practically facing the sky, his fangs parted, and the chuckle finally left him.

She’s cute when she does that.The fact that she was unafraid to be so cheeky in a high-handed, superior way always caught him off-guard.

No one was playful in the way she was.

His humour was cut short when he noticed a ghostly figure at the edge of his peripheral. When he turned his head that way, it disappeared within an instant.

We’re being watched.He snarled in that direction. He even took a step forward to tell them to get lost – but changed his mind.

The Witch Owl would eventually understand he had no interest in speaking with her and would, hopefully, fly away. Merikh would rather not speak to her, or even see her, if he could help it.

Raewyn dropped her smile when Merikh entered, refusing to let him know that she’d only been teasing him.

She didn’t think he would allow her the use of his sight. Although it would be welcomed, since it would make things faster and easier, she didn’tactuallyneed it. She was completely capable on her own, and the fact he’d felt the same way was actually... nice.

Raewyn didn’t like anyone looking down on her. She was strong – physically, emotionally, and mentally – and she’d always hated when people doubted her. Whether that be because of her scientific capabilities, her sight, her athletic abilities... she’d always had this flaw where she needed to prove herself.

Merikh didn’t make her feel that way. He just silently supported her without needing to receive gratitude.

That’s all Raewyn could ask of a person.

However, because it was Merikh, and it was obvious he was uncomfortable every time she either apologised or thanked him, she always did it.

At his soft vibration, she turned her head the other way while forcing a pout to her lips.

“I would like for you to do me a favour for a few days,” he said as he entered his cave.

Raewyn scoffed as she yanked the flowerpot closer from across the stone bench.

“Why should I do anything for you when you won’t do something for me?” She put her hand out. “Diadem, please.”

“I’m being serious, Raewyn.” By the sternness of his tone, she dropped the act, as well as her hand.

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