Page 217 of Cursed Evermore
“Mmm,” I hummed, taking a bigger sip before letting my eyes drift closed as I savored the sweetness sliding down my throat. “This is divine.”
“Told you.”
“This drink is everything.” It was like getting a dose of everything I loved in one warming cup of delight. “What does your Duskmire wine taste like?”
“Here, have a sip.” One corner of his mouth slid into a wicked grin.
He held out his mug for me to take a drink. I did and gagged at the thick tarish taste that clung to the back of my throat like gone-bad licorice.
“Eww, yuck, yuck, yuck.” Quickly, I washed the taste away with my drink while Wolfe laughed, deep and wholehearted. I'd never heard him laugh like that before. It sounded nice.
“I guess I don't have to worry about you wanting to share.”
“Absolutely not. What kind of wine is that?” The name had made it sound enchanting, and it even smelled good. I was expecting a taste just as delightful as mine.
“The wine is made from dragon berries. They're said to taste like dragon's blood.”
“Is that what dragon's blood tastes like?” I hit him with a quizzical stare.
“It's very close.”
I gasped. “You've had dragon's blood?”
“It's part of the bonding ritual.”
I settled against my chair and stared at him, wanting to know more. “You said you and your dragon share the same powers. Is that how?”
“It's one way.” He nodded toward my mug again. “Drink up. You'll like it better fresh.”
I drank some more, and he did, too, but we didn't take our eyes off each other. I took the moment of silence to think. Thiswas the drink we never had when I first saw him at the tavern in Stormfell.
“Did you get to see the library at Hyxian?” he asked, placing his mug down.
The mention of the library brought an instant smile to my face. “I did. It had so many books about different healing techniques. It really blew my mind. And the librarian is from the Ravenwood Realm. On my next visit, she's going to tell me all about the native herbs and incantations signature to the Ravenwood. She thinks I'll be able to learn it all within six months or so and maybe even speak one of the languages fluently.”
He watched me with growing amusement. “Be careful, mage. You're starting to sound like you like it here.”
My stomach tightened. My emotions had betrayed me again. I'd only spent one day outside Vyrenth Hollow, and I'd fallen so hard for the realm it was impossible to contain myself. I couldn't even lie to him. He could see this place had woven itself around my heart, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.
“I'm fascinated by being here and I'm...” My voice trailed off as I thought of what more to say.
“Closer to your heart's desire.”
“Something like that.”
“Looks like my father's book was right after all.Magic. You desire magic. And your heart's telling you you'll find what you seek in the Ravenwood Realm.”
Again, I couldn't argue. “The Ravenwood Realm is the only connection I've ever had with magic.” I pressed my lips together and thought of the notebooks. “Why didn't you tell me the notebook was from there?”
“It was the wrong time. But it felt right that you should have it. I thought you'd appreciate it given time.”
“I do. And now I have one more book to journal in.” I glanced at the book Kaem had given me in my little satchel. The beaded edge was peeking out amongst the other trinkets. “Fourteen days until my next reset.”
“I know.” The glint in his eyes dimmed like clouds on a stormy day. The same storm clouded my hopes.
“My notes are always so thorough, but the records feel like different versions of me. Like I'm someone else every month. The memories are recorded, but feelings aren't there, and I struggle to imagine what I must have felt as I lived through each reset.”
“That's because you go through different experiences that shape your mind in different ways. But...” He went still, his eyes searching mine.
