Page 35 of The Mirror and the Curse

She shifted her gaze to the view and asked the first question that came to mind: “Why is your mother so sharp with you?”

His jaw clenched, then relaxed. “She had plans for my life, and I don’t measure up.”

Eddi sat bolt upright. “You? Don’t measure up? But you work harder than three ordinary people, and you’re never grouchy or lazy or thoughtless.”

Kai gave her a direct, inquiring sort of look. “Thank you,” he said, and one side of his mouth quirked into a smile. “I could wish to be more worthy of your estimation, but I feel honored.”

“What more does she want from you?” Eddi asked, still riled.

He returned his gaze to the horizon. “My mother thinks I should be content with my current job, marry a nice dwarf girl, and settle down either at the resort or in a comfortable mountain cave.”

“‘Comfortable cave’ sounds like an oxymoron. What do you want to do?”

His brows twitched. “Dwarf caves are as comfortable as any human house. I’ll show you sometime.” Without looking her way, he answered the question. “In the off season I’ve been working on a business degree.”

“Really? I had no idea. That’s the degree I’m going for too. What will you do with your degree?” she asked, genuinely curious as well as impressed.

A line appeared between his brows. “I’ve thought of starting a business. Horse training and riding instructor.”

“You could do it, Kai; I haven’t a doubt. You’re the best trainer I’ve ever known. Maybe the best there is,” she stated.

He gave an amused sniff. “Hardly that, but I’ll keep learning and striving to improve. And . . . thanks.” He briefly met her gaze, his eyes so blue, so true, they made her heart hurt.

“How are you taking classes?” He couldn’t do it online while living at Faraway Castle, where magic interfered with modern technology.

“I rented a room down in Huttwil from a lady who worked summers at the resort before I was born, and I attended college classes, driving back up to work during holiday camps.” He gave her a sidelong glance to add, “I can pass as human even without a glamour, you know.”

“Do you wear one?”

“I did a few times to deflect attention.”

“Wait. This is all past tense?”

“I graduated in May.”

Her jaw dropped. “Congratulations! Wow! That’s . . . wow.” Her heart seemed to twist in her chest. “You will keep working at Faraway Castle, won’t you?”

“For now.”

They resumed eating while Eddi processed that nebulous answer. Faraway Castle without Kai was . . . unthinkable.

“Ready to try your apple?” he asked.

Eddi picked up hers, which had more yellow stripes than Kai’s. “Are you sure it’s safe for a non-magical human to eat?”

His brows rose, then drew together. “I never thought of that.”

“You have human blood, I know, and the apples don’t hurt you, right?”

“Yes, but I have both dwarf and human magic.”

“What’s the difference?”

He screwed up his face, lips pursed. “Hard to describe. The mix can be awkward. Some ancestor on my dad’s side was a human prince withcaroven-level magic, but Dad has no human magic, only dwarf. My mom, however, is aburva. That isn’t particularly powerful magic, you know, so she focuses on potions. She’s good at it—concocts magical salves and remedies for the horses. Aaaand I got dosed a lot as a kid.” He gave her a sidelong grin. “I survived. Mostly.”

Kai. Had royal human blood.

Unable to think of a response, Eddi lifted the apple to her mouth.

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