Page 72 of Beginning at the End
Win and Emhara werecomparing notes about photos versus sketches.They were each going to produce their best and give it to the couple as part of the wedding gift.
Each had a group of men nearby, and off to the side, Alex was talking with the earth-born djinn who had been invited via their mates, and they explained exactly what they were and how they worked.No dragons required.
Using one of the earth-born djinn and a mage for control of the change, Win would be able to reshape Alex.
They were making a plan, only missing an ingredient that made Win scowl.
Emhara smiled.“What’s the problem?”
“We need fire.Not dragon fire, not burning fire.Magical fire.”
“Go ask the chef.She might be able to help.”Emhara chuckled.
“What?”
“You didn’t see it?See if you took a picture of her with your special lens.”
Win frowned, and there was a lot of beeping until she saw the image.“Oh, shit.”
She walked over to the djinn and mage.“Would this do it?”
Oren nodded.“That would do it.You will have to wait a month.”
Win frowned.“Why?”
“The baby.She needs the fire to keep it safe.She can’t give it up yet.”
Win blinked.“Oh.Got it.”
She got up and went to ask the chef a question.
Emhara continued her sketch until she got it perfect, right down to Eudora’s muscles banded with red energy.It really stood out against the white beaded dress.
She smiled, pulled the tissue over the sketch, and flipped the page to start the next one.Eudora sitting on a couch, wrapped in a brilliantly coloured quilt with a book in her hand and a bassinet next to her, with Sern sitting at a computer, leaning against Eudora’s legs, one foot rocking the cradle.
Echel crouched.“Oh, they are going to love that one.”
“Yeah, that’s a good one.I did one of the chef, too, but she looks different.”Emhara flipped and showed him an image of a very pregnant woman in a black gown studded with black beads, her hands wreathed in fire, and her body alight as she glared at the viewer.
Echel looked at the woman’s bare feet.“What is that?”
“A puddle of blood and some heavy-duty handcuffs.I don’t know what they mean, but they are part of her.”
“That is an odd accessory.”
“Yeah, but you know what, I get the feeling we are only at the tip of the weirdness.”
Echel kissed her cheek and nodded.
* * * *
The next day, Eudorawoke in Sern’s arms and smiled.“We have a room full of presents downstairs.”
“We have to record who sent what so we can send them thank you notes.”
“Wow.Aren’t we Miss Manners?”
He smiled.“You want to open some now.”
