Page 77 of A Conduit of Light
“Icannot be sure of what you do and do not know,Karus.”
“Well, knowing there are four seasons seems like an obvious thing an adult woman would know.”
“Iwould think an adult woman would know a floral skirt when she saw one and how to avoid a bog monster, but you did not know those things, did you?”
“Knowledgeis relevant,Moira.Iwould imagine an almost thirty-eight-summers-old fae to know what butter and flour is, but you did not.”
“Isee.”
“Doyou?Wecan learn from each other, you andI.Wecan be friends here.Ourkind and yours can even work together to destroyThatWhichConsumes.”
“Perhaps.”Shefluttered above the dresser, lifting off gently, her new calla lily skirt a lovely contrast to her sage skin. “Whatdo you think?”
“Ithink you’ve done this before.AndIthink it will work for your time here perfectly.”
Moiranodded, floating back down to the dresser and tucking her wings behind her. “Let’sgo to the kitchens then.”
“Thekitchens?”
“Youcan start our friendship by teaching me about butter and flour as long as it all turns into more of those cinnamon buns.”
* * *
“Youhave flour in your hair.”
Karusreached up to brush it away, butRevich’shands were already there, smoothing the streaks of white dust out of her chestnut locks.
“Bakinglessons withMoira.Didyou know thatLiauses her magic to quicken cooking times?It’svery impressive.”
“Idid not know.”
“Whatdid you andBaronHeimlendo this morning?”
KarusandRevichwere lying on the cool grass in the courtyard ofViridis, having agreed to meet there for lunch the night before.Sheleaned over his chest and held a fat, crimson strawberry above his mouth, teasing him by pretending to let him have a bite before taking it back and sinking her teeth into its juicy flesh herself.
“Wediscovered something that might have returned some of the soil to pre-blight.”
Karuschoked. “What!Whydidn’t you say something the moment you saw me?”
“Iwas easing into it.”
“Youwere kissing me.”
“Soundslike a good way to ease into something.”
Shesighed and bit into the rest of the strawberry, smiling at his scoff. “Nothingfor you until you talk.”
Hisgrin was roguish, a single image that could lead to her complete downfall and she wouldn’t even care.
“Lastnight,Isearched these halls for something that could mimic sunlight asMoiramentioned.Ihad read before of such enhancements from agricola conduits.Ifigured there must be some way we could simulate sunlight if that’s really what could repel theBlight.”
“Andyou found it?”
“Idid.SimulairSolum.Itproduces sunlight from your fingers.”Heheld his up and she gasped at the raw blisters there. “But, it’s not without its hazards.”
Shetook his hands in hers, whispering words of healing, happy to see the blisters recede a bit as she gently kissed each one.
“Thisis a big discovery,BaronRevich.Possibly, with the combination of our power throughCosensian—”
