Page 37 of Changelings
The breath of space between them was warm upon her lips,and Imogen’s heart fluttered in her chest as her vision filled with him.
Those glittering eyes fell to her mouth. He hesitated a moment, perhaps waiting to see if she’d elbow or knee him somewhere, but she didn’t.
Shouldn’t I? Or maybe I shouldn’t…
He closed the distance, just the whisper of a touch, but he was there.
It was strange and a little frightening—and over almost as quickly as it’d begun. Those bifurcated lips pressed against hers, whiskers tickling her upper lip. She just got the sensation of warmth, of utter closeness, before he pulled away again.
Her second kiss.
Imogen didn’t know what to do with her hands. Or her whole face. She hadn’t even moved her mouth.
She could feel the heat radiating from her flushed cheeks.Fates, what should I do?
Whether or not he sensed her growing confusion, Balar merely smiled gently, tracing the pad of his thumb across her cheek before telling her, “I will help with preparing supper,” and turned to give her her space.
Relief rushed through her for the reprieve, but when he was gone, she was almost…bereft. Fates, had he always been so warm?
Imogen turned toward the pen to collect her thoughts.
She met Chestnut’s stare, and with a flick of her long ears, the donkey brayed enthusiastically.
Imogen scowled back. “I thought you didn’t like him?”
Hee-honk!
14
Even as she thought back upon it, Imogen couldn’t quite say how she’d ended up with two manticores in tow as she picked her way across a remote corner of her land, foraging for any last berries, mushrooms, truffles, or wild onions.
Balar was to be expected at this point, of course. After a recent spat of rain, he wouldn’t hear of her going out alone. “I won’t lose you to a slippery patch of leaves or a deceptively deep puddle,urisá,” he said with a totally straight face.
Imogen had to bite back her laugh, but Akila didn’t, rolling around on the blanket he’d brought to protect from the wet grass like it was the funniest thing Balar ever said.
Off for the day from school, Kiri accompanied them through the damp forest, running alongside Shadow as they hunted for any last goodies. He seemed determined to prove himself as good a nose as any dog or pig. Honestly, Imogen suspected Shadow would tire out before the bouncy teenage manticore.
Despite the wet hem of her cloak and how moisture kept seeping into her old boots to dampen her socks, it was a pleasantafternoon.
Balar had acquiesced to the cooling weather by unrolling his shirtsleeves and buttoning them at the wrist, although he was constantly using his arm to lift bushy fern leaves and low-hanging branches out of her way, soaking the shirt. She’d never say or laugh about it, given how prideful he was, but she thought the way his mane frizzed in the dank air absolutely charming. Not long into their afternoon and he looked like a soggy, frazzled kitten.
Still, nothing dampened his spirits, and he kept their conversation lively as they all foraged.
Balar was utterly triumphant when he bent down and came away with a handful of little mushrooms. He presented them to her with a flourish, but before he could add them to the basket, Imogen grasped his wrist.
“They’re lovely, but they’re also poisonous,” she told him gently.
Balar’s ears flattened against his head. “Surely not? These are plentiful near the village and always being used.”
Opening his fist, Imogen carefully poked a few of the bulbous heads to show him the gills beneath. “Yes, they look very similar, but the ones with the gills can cause serious harm.” When she glanced up at him, she found his demeanor pale. She didn’t know how that was possible through his fur, but it was.
Patting his chest, she consoled, “You didn’t know.”
“No.” He cast away the mushrooms with a snarl, wiping his hand on the side of his shirt.
“Unless of course you meant them for Akila. One wouldn’t kill him, just give him a stomachache to remember.”
Grabbing her hand still on his chest, Balar threw back his head and laughed uproariously. His shoulders and wings shook, and a mirthful tear escaped one eye. “You are utterly vicious,urisá.I love it.” And lifting her hand, he bestowed a lingeringkiss on her knuckles.
