Page 17 of Love At First Roar
Callum looked at her again, really looked this time. The shimmer of magic still clung to her skin like pollen in the air. She wasn’t standing like someone who wanted power. She was standing like someone bracing for rejection. And gods, wasn’t that a familiar shape.
Varric’s expression didn’t change. “Magic is not trust. Proximity is not permission.”
Callum cleared his throat. “I can keep a closer eye on her.”
Every head turned toward him. Cora’s eyes widened.
Varric’s brow lifted, but his voice remained even. “Closer than daily reports?”
Callum nodded once. “I’ll shadow her. Not just patrol overlap. Full contact. If the Veil shifts again, I’ll feel it. If she tries another spell, I’ll know.”
Twyla smirked into her tea. “Shadowing, hmm?”
“Supervision,” Callum corrected, ignoring her grin. “This is about protection. For the town and for her.”
Miriam spoke up. “And is this supervision your choice, Callum, or your lion’s?”
He didn’t answer right away. That was the problem. He didn’t know.
Something about her drew him like heat to a sunbeam, like instinct wrapping around curiosity and digging in. His liondidn’t growl when she approached anymore. It leaned in. And Callum didn’t like the confusion that came with that.
“It’s my decision,” he said finally.
Varric tapped a thick finger against the stone arm of his seat. “Then it is settled. You will supervise her integration. Any further interference with the Veil must be approved in advance. You are responsible for her movements within town limits.”
Callum nodded again.
Cora’s mouth opened like she wanted to argue, but she stopped herself. Her gaze flicked to him, questioning, maybe wary.
The meeting dissolved slowly, council members rising and dispersing with soft murmurs and careful glances. Twyla lingered just long enough to brush a hand over Cora’s arm and mutter something that made her smile, then vanished down the path like a breeze.
When it was just the two of them, Callum stepped beside her. They stood under the trees where shadows bled long across the moss.
“I didn’t ask you to volunteer,” she said softly.
“I know.”
“So why?”
He glanced at her, blue eyes catching the gold flecks in hers. “Because you’re not a danger. But you are a risk. And Hollow Oak doesn’t do well with unknowns.”
She looked away, arms folding over her chest. “I’m not trying to be a mystery, Callum.”
“Like I’ve said before, you already are.”
The words sat between them for a long time. The forest creaked above them, soft and slow like it was waiting too.
“I’m not good with rules,” she said finally. “I mess up. I act first sometimes. But I never, ever mean to hurt people.”
“I know.” He paused. “That’s why I’m staying close. Not to catch you. To stop things before they get worse.”
Her smile was faint but real. “So I’m a walking hazard.”
“You’re a wild card.”
“And you’re a control freak.”
He gave a low grunt. “We’ll figure it out.”
