Page 42 of The Silent Mountain
Favian recovers quickly, though I can see a glint in his eyes. Seems like his beast likes me to address him so formally. “Princess?” he asks in return.
“Women,” Ludwig mutters. “They are scary sometimes.”
“Watch and learn,” Stefan teases.
“He is right,” Barbara laughs.
Favian has had enough of listening to their banter and offers me his arm to lead me further away. “Let’s walk a bit,” he offers.
An offer I readily accept. Once we are on our own, with no one around us who can pry or listen in, he finally talks again. “Is everything alright with Maggie?” he asks softly.
I sigh. “Well, as alright as it can be, I guess. Elio is with her.”
When I mention his name, Favian’s face clouds over. “I have no idea how to prepare him for what’s going to happen.”
“Does he know?”
“Yes, I told him, but I don’t think he has accepted the severity of it yet,” he says. “It’s going to be sooner than later that we will lose her, and I don’t know how to stop his heart from breaking once it happens.”
“He will need you then,” I say quietly. “Just be patient with him and be there for him.”
“I will,” he reassures me. “But losing Margarete will hit him hard. She is the one who provided him with a safe life, his only stability during the years of war. He became this kind and sweet person because of her.”
“And because of you,” I add. “Because you made sure he was protected.”
“Maybe, but when she is gone, it will devastate him, and then I will be the only one who is left for him.”
“That’s not true,” I say. “There is also Theo, who is like a second brother to him. Then there is Cassie, who’s already befriended him, and I am here too.” I look at him. “And I have no intention of going anywhere.”
Favian’s eyes light up. “That’s good to know,” he says.
“Talking about Cassie,” I say. “I have a suggestion that I know you won’t like.”
“You mean aside from her pulling my brother into her shenanigans?” he asks. He tries to sound annoyed, but I can see the hint of amusement in his eyes. Secretly, he is happy that Cassie is here to distract his little brother.
“I had a spontaneous idea,” I say. “I think Cassie is actually quite capable, but she lacks guidance, since she’s never had any.”
“And you are thinking of adding someone to guide her?” Favian asks with a frown. “You are right, I don’t like that suggestion.”
“I know you are wary of witches,” I say. “I can absolutely see why, but how about we invite someone we have relations with? Someone kind, a bit older, someone who can actually mentor Cassie to become a useful witch for the clan.”
Favian seems to be wary, but humors me, nevertheless. “Who have you been thinking of?”
“You know the werewolf kingdom has a palace witch?”
He nods. “She helped us win the war.”
“Actually, she has a relative. She lives in one of the packs, not too far away from here, and she was a great help to my sister-in-law and protected her. She taught her how to meditate and how to connect with her mind. It’s because of her that Azadeh was able to reach out to you, which was the first step of freeing the dragons.”
I know I’m laying it on thick here, playing with his sense of duty and his guilt.
He knows, too, and he doesn’t look happy.
“I don’t want to push you,” I admit. “I just think it would be a smart decision.”
“It’s just…” he groans.
“What’s wrong? You can tell me.”
