Page 36 of The Elven Spymaster's Thief

I motioned to Avril’s usual chair. “Has there been a disruption in the ranks?”

“Regarding the increased workload? No.” Dropping into the chair next to the one I had indicated, he jutted his chin toward her chair. “Where is your companion this morning?”

“In the gardens. Avril said goodbye to her brother when he left this morning and then needed some time and space.” I walked to the window and scanned the ordered paths. “I sent her out to walk. It will help strengthen her.” Her auburn hair was easy to spot among the hedges. The sunlight caught the highlights, burnishing it with a fiery glow.

“How is her recovery coming?”

“Not as swift as I would like.”

“Wishing you could manufacture blood for her?” Casimir’s tone held no malice, but I glanced over my shoulder at him to check his features.

Finding only genuine concern in his stoic features, I nodded. “She is stronger than she looks, but humans are so—”

“Fragile. You have mentioned that before.” His gaze narrowed. “I take it by your activities yesterday that you are set on your course.”

I turned back to gaze out on the sun-dazzled garden. “How do you know when you find your other half?”

The chair creaked as he shifted. “You mean your heartmate? I wouldn’t know since I haven’t experienced it yet.” He rose and came to stand behind my shoulder. “Are you sure?”

Avril had paused to speak with one of the gardeners. The gnome stared up at her in rapt attention as she asked her question. Then when he answered her, she laughed. Jealousy flared. I had yet to hear her genuinely laugh. Intense longing for that sound caught me by surprise.

“An insatiable hunger to be near her, know her, and see she is safe, well, and happy,” Casimir said from beside me. “One described it that way. Another said it was that she was his home and brought him peace. Seems a bit overblown if you ask me.”

I wasn’t as confident. Light elves weren’t supposed to recognize their future mates on sight, but I had felt a connection with Avril from the beginning.

“Especially for a connection with such a fragile being,” Casimir muttered.

“You aren’t going to start that again, are you?” I asked ominously as I strode away from the window. “It is my decision.”

“Ah, but it is her decision as well.”

I smirked at the idea of Casimir trying to change Avril’s mind on anything. “Any other reports for me?”

“Only the written ones.” He turned to motion at the table where he had stacked the papers.

“I will see to them.” I glanced at him. “Go get some sleep before you fall over.”

Casimir nodded and yawned. “Behave.”

I snorted. “Unlikely.”

He departed quietly, leaving me to silence and work.

Avril found me there when she bounded in from the gardens. Her step light, I could hear her as she practically danced up the stairs from the conservatory. She burst into my study like a ray of sunlight, bringing warmth and the earthy smells of life. The air behind me stirred with her passing. She walked around me on the way to her usual perch on the upholstered chair facing the door.

“Did you know your gardener is witty?” She sat down as I looked up. After settling herself, she lifted an expectant expression to meet my observation. “Did you?”

“I didn’t,” I admitted, drinking in her smile. “I haven’t had the opportunity to discuss much with him beyond the plantings and how they interfered or assisted in security.”

A puzzled frown pulled at her mouth as she studied my features. “Have you ever walked the gardens?”

“I am generally too busy.” I dropped my attention to the list of actions I was compiling for Casimir to review so we could discuss them. “Too much to do in too little time.”

She appeared to accept this, until suddenly she was at my side, looking over my shoulder. “What is so pressing?”

I lifted my head, nearly bumping my forehead against her chin before I met her gaze. “What do you mean?”

“I wish to understand exactly what you are doing.”

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