“No. Kirk’s working on a spell from the other book in the basement.”
“Has he made more progress?”
I snicker. “Not that I’ve heard. Between us, I’m relieved there haven’t been any explosions.
Those texts are ancient, and I’m not convinced he isn’t doing guesswork on ingredients and measurements.” I frown, thinking about the dedicated Healer.
Cadoc chuckles. “Kirk can handle himself.”
“I still worry.”
“That’s cute, Brat. The man’s been around longer than you’ve been alive. He’s going to be just fine.”
I ‘m happy to be his source of amusement if it puts a smile on his face. I’d always adored him.
I’m slowly settling into things. Taking comfort in his strength and presence, despite the shitty situation we’ve landed in is easier than holding onto the anger.
I open the journal and scan the page. Reading her descriptions I draw the tall purple flowers she’s describing.
“What do you want to do after this?” he asks.
“What do you mean?” I add detail around the pistil of the flowers.
“You’ve always been destined for great things Ylva. This is just—” He pauses. “A side quest.”
“I don’t know. I had a gallery job lined up and a space to display my work. That’s gone now.” I gasp. “I can’t imagine what they thought when I no-called, no-showed.”
I’d been so wrapped up in pack life, I hadn’t given this a second thought.
“I can help with that. They were all informed of a sudden devastating family tragedy that was time-sensitive and all-consuming.”
Anger and relief swirl together like a chocolate and vanilla ice cream cone. My reputation hadn’t been obliterated.
“It’s not like they’re holding a position for me until I return.” I shade the flowers known as monkshood.
“Hey.” Cadoc places a hand on the paper, forcing me to stop. “This won’t be forever.”
“You have no idea how long this search will take.”
“No, but we all need to have things to look forward to, don’t we?”
“Because I’ll be free to leave when all is said and done?”
His brow furrows and a growl reverberates in his chest. His eyes flash yellow.
“No.” His gravelly tone is more wolf than man. Blinking, he regains control. “Doesn’t mean you can’t cultivate some happiness.”
“Here?” I roll my eyes. “In the town I hate?” I gesture toward the large windows to the left that overlook a spectacular view of the forest. “Did you all think this luxury prison would be a suitable consolation prize I’d exchange so easily for my freedom?”
“It’s only a jail if you allow it to be one.” Cadoc’s voice rumbles in his chest.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I push, ready to see his cool façade slip.
“You can change it. Turn it into a home.”
“Are you serious right now?” I enunciate each word. We’re trapped together, with an impossible task on our shoulders, not playing house.
“Make it a place you enjoy? This could be your haven,” he continues on a positive note.
“I never wanted this to be my home.” I cross my arms. “Being forced to return has only made my animosity for this place worse.”
“The best revenge is success. Thrive. Remind them that they haven’t broken you,” he encourages.
“I’m tired. I stopped trying to prove myself worthy years ago.”
“Hey.” He cups my chin. “You have always been worthy, Ylva. This is about finding joy in the storm we’ve found ourselves in the center of. Tell me what you need to feel like this is home.”
I laugh. “You’re asking an impossible question.”
“No.” He shakes his head. “I remember how much you loved growing up here.”
“I was a kid. I had a loving family and free run of the forest.”
“You can have that again. We’re your family now.”
“Families can be dysfunctional, you know?” I stare at him.
“This situation is going to be what we make of it.”
