Page 34 of The Mirror and the Curse

A rush of ornery satisfaction blended with gratitude suddenly invaded her mind, startling her so she could hardly breathe.

But then White bunted her, leaving a streak of foam on her flight suit’s leg. “You’re welcome,” she said, reaching up to straighten his long forelock and run her hand down his face.

“Kai!” Her voice was nearly a whisper.

“I hoped the apples would help,” he replied almost as quietly.

She looked at him over her shoulder. Her lips moved, but no words formed.

He nodded, a glow lighting his eyes. “I know. It’s . . . incredible.”

“Thank you.” Joy seemed to emanate from her very core, encompassing him and the two fterotá. She wiped her eyes on her flight-suit sleeve until Kai handed her a clean tissue.

“Just be sure to pack that home with you.”

His teasing tone returned her to reality. “What happens to fools who drop litter in the magic meadow?” she asked.

He squinted in the morning light, one brow arched. “How about you experiment when I’m not around.”

“Think the earth might open and swallow me?”

“To digest at its core for a million years,” he added in a sepulchral tone.

“My curiosity just died a quick and painless death.”

“It’ll resurrect within the hour.”

Eddi rolled her eyes. “Ha! Undead curiosity will eat your brain.”

“I always wondered what became of yours.” Before Eddi could protest, he asked, “Ready for a picnic?”

“I’m starved!” she admitted, still grinning.

Kai plucked an apple and extended it to her with a bow and a teasing smile. “An apple for Your Highness.”

Eddi paused, then accepted it. “Thanks for the apple, but please don’t call me that.”

His brows drew together. “I intended no disrespect.”

“I know. It just felt . . . I don’t like being distanced.” Rather than dwell on her reaction, she quickly plucked a perfect apple and offered it to Kai.

He took it from her hand without touching her fingers. “Thank you.”

Glancing up and around, Eddi asked briskly, “Where shall we have breakfast? Here on the meadow, or is there someplace special to climb?”

“Follow me.” After Kai collected bulging sacks from their packs, he led the way up a trail that wound around a huge boulder, then zigzagged up the bluff behind the tree. Eddi felt slightly winded by the time their climb ended at a tiny replica of the meadow below. A light breeze ruffled the wildflowers around their feet as she stood panting and gazing out across the surrounding mountains.

“This place is almost unbelievable,” she declared while Kai laid out their meal on a flat rock, placing the apples in the center on a linen serviette.

He glanced up at the view. “Without magic, itwouldbe unbelievable.”

Realizing he was doing all the work, she dropped to her knees beside the rock and awkwardly helped him unwrap the food. “You’ve picnicked here before, haven’t you?”

“Once. I’ve always hoped to bring . . . a friend here someday. A picnic alone isn’t the same.”

“And here we are.” Eddi wondered about that pause but didn’t dare ask.

The food carefully packed by brownies in the castle kitchen tasted like ambrosia. She and Kai chatted a little, but silence was just as comfortable. Eddi observed her companion while he studied the horizon. A friend like him was priceless. Considerate, undemanding, entertaining.

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