Page 47 of Horns & Heart
I raised my finger.“People turn red before they really get sunburned.”
Fellisse’s eyes widened.“But you’re already pink all over!How would you even know?”
Inkiri clicked.“He turns red when I give him pleasure.It happened every time.”
Lissir hummed.“He also turned red when he had the alcohol.Fellisse, you should’ve noticed that.”
The big guy sighed.“You’re right.I should have paid better care.”
“Better attention,” Inkiri said, then caught my eye.“Fellisse is our… Vergis, what word is right?”
“Medic, probably.”
Inkiri nodded.“Fellisse is our medic.”
“Medic.”Fellisse tested the word a few more times.“I am a medic.I need to know how to take care of you too, Rory.”
I blushed.“Oh, well…”
He clicked, sounding almost agitated.“Your face!Is this the sunburn or the sunstroke sickness?”
Vergis had another episode of fierce cackling.
That didn’t help with me feeling embarrassed, but I tried.“Neither.I’m fine.”
A hand settled on my shoulder.“Rory, you promised,” Lissir said.“Also, I would like a break to read more manga.Vergis?”
Vergis groaned.“Fine.”He pointed.“That’s probably the castle’s orchard.We can stop there.”
Inkiri leaned in.“Sweet thing, maybe I should carry you the rest of the way?”
“I—no.I’m fine.It’s fine.I was just—I’m not getting a sunburn.No sunstroke either.”
Fellisse hummed.“How would you know?If it’s like dehydration, then you might not.”
Vergis turned and walked backward.“They get red in the face for no good reason, this one more than most people.It’s emotional.”
Nokim held out his crackers to us again.“That’s fascinating!I don’t think I ever saw Donna turn red.”
“Fucking Donna,” Vergis grumbled.
We made it to the orchard, which was surrounded by a low stone wall, and to everyone’s pleasant surprise, it was near a farmhouse that looked like it had been well taken care of.The timber frame and white walls were barely stained, the wood a glossy ebony.
While weeds had crept in everywhere, the drive and garden close to the orchard appeared well taken care of.Even the car still in the driveway was pretty new, at first glance.At a second glance, dust and pollen coated it, and a spider had spun its web between the unmoving tire and the frame.
The farmhouse was likewise abandoned.You could tell from the way the windows and door had gathered dust.When Nokim tried the door, it opened for him.
He turned to the rest of us.“Should we go inside?Rory, you can rest in here.”
I came closer, Inkiri never leaving my side.I could see into the house from outside the door.
The new interior spoke of owners who’d wanted the look and feel of the old with all the comforts of the new.Those owners were gone now, and those comforts served no one anymore.I didn’t want to go inside.I didn’t want to have to imagine who had once lived here.I didn’t want to have to see any photos, read the names on any mail that had been unopened for the past two years.
I shook my head.“You go.Ink, can we go into the garden?There was shade under the trees.”
He nodded.“Of course, sweet thing.”
Lissir went past me.“Nokim, I’ll come inside with you.We can see if there is anything useful.”
