Page 8 of Feathered Thief

“Oh!” Helena gasped, staring at the great horse. “I wondered if you could talk!”

“Perceptive child that you are. Now, get on with the happy reunion. You two should at least take a walk around the gardens. Introductions, later. We’re in no great hurry to return.” Geoffroi lowered his head to nibble at the lawn, and Solara pointedly tucked her head under her wing for a nap.

Kazik knew his face must be flaming, but Helena’s giggle broke the tension. “Come on. Let’s walk. I’m so happy you came to visit me! Life has been dreadfully boring around here.”

He gestured for her to lead the way and followed her through a gate, asking “What do you do to pass the time?” with genuine curiosity.

“I read a lot. Papa owns a great many books, and some of them are interesting. And our cook, I call her Babka, sometimes teaches me to bake pastries and make candy. Bread, too, but that isn’t as fun.”

Kazik couldn’t quite picture Helena in a kitchen . . . mostly because he’d never been inside one. “You enjoy that?”

“I do. It’s fun to create something good to eat.”

She gave a little skip to keep up with him, so he slowed his pace, feeling heat in his cheeks. She was so pretty that he was almost afraid to look at her. “Why doesn’t your father bring you to visit us anymore?” he asked. “He’s my history, government, and mathematics tutor, you know.”

“I know, but Papa says bringing me along is too much of an imposition.” Her tone was flat.

“Why would he think that?” Kazik asked, frowning. “You could even take lessons along with me. My mother says you’re always welcome. She really likes you.” Suddenly bold, he blurted, “And I do too. I like you alot. Please come back.”

He had no control over his ridiculous squeaking-growling voice, but he must have said something right. Helena’s smile was even brighter than before. “I promise to keep asking my father. Now, come this way.” She tugged at his sleeve. “I have so much to show you!”

Enthralled with her presence, he followed her through various gardens, admired a little waterfall, and then a tall cataract that roared in their ears. So many waterfalls! When they found a quiet pond, he even got to stand behind her and hold her hand to demonstrate the correct way to throw a skipping rock. She never achieved more than three skips, but even that many pleased her.

Kazik was over-the-moon happy to listen while Helena told him about small animals and birds she had rescued, the games she used to play in a certain forest glade, and her tree-climbing efforts that had finally paid off. “It’s so much easier to climb a tree in trousers.”

A startled silence followed before she clapped one hand over her mouth and gave him a guilty stare.

“You . . . wore trousers?” His voice cracked on the final word.

Blinking quickly, she nodded and sucked in her lips, holding his gaze while they both blushed. Then, as if reading each other’s minds, they burst into laughter at the same moment. “Are you shocked?” Helena asked.

“Not really. I just wish we could climb trees together.”

She gave him an arch look. “Who knows? Maybe someday?”

Kazik could not get enough of her saucy smile, the curve of her cheek, the shape of her lips, and the stubborn jut of her chin. She was as pretty as he remembered her, but even better.Instead of glaring at him in disdain, she seemed to study him in return.

Her scrutiny made him wonder what she perceived. A stinky, chubby boy with spots on his face and hair sprouting in unfortunate places? At least she no longer regarded him with loathing or condemnation.

He brought up her coming to visit again, but she looked more wistful than hopeful. “I do want to visit you again, very much,” she admitted. Then her gaze shifted past him, and she said, “Thank you again for announcing his arrival.”

Kazik followed her gaze to see Solara perched in a tree. “It is my pleasure,” the bird replied, “to meet the golden-haired princess our Kazik so admires.”

“The pleasure is also mine.” The fay horse—who hadn’t been there a moment earlier— turned on the charm, arching his muscled neck and tossing his fabulous mane. “Geoffroi is my name, lovely princess.”

Helena’s eyes went all starry. “I can’t believe— What an honor this is to meet you! You’re amazing! You know, my hair isn’t actual gold like yours is. Mine is just the color of gold, like my mother’s was.”

“Nevertheless, we claim you as a fellow treasure,” Solara proclaimed with a dip of her head. “I do hate to end this reunion, but we had better return you home, young prince. I believe you have afternoon archery drills.”

“Oh!” Kazik blinked in surprise. “You’re right.” He’d completely forgotten.

“Archery?” Helena echoed. “For your military training. Oh, I wish I could watch you shoot arrows now that you’re older and stronger! You must have improved a great deal.”

Kazik felt his face burn, mostly with pleasure. But could he tell Helena about his accomplishments? Not a word. His head was empty, and his open mouth went dry.

“Come now, mount up, young master.” Geoffroi spoke with his usual wry humor. “Someday, your mind will return, and you will speak to this pretty girl again.”

Kazik could only stare at Helena, longing to touch her. Hug her. Or something. Her face went pink again.

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