Shadowburn (2)

Chapter 43

Andreas sighed and released her wrists, pulling her into his arms. "I know. But you were not the one who had to witness your elf's reaction."

Sin sighed again, staying silent for a moment. After a while she said. "So, I guess you'll be flashing us back to the mansion now." Her tone was slightly disappointed.

"No. I have no such desire," Andreas replied simply.

She pulled back to arch a brow at him. "So you're fine with sleeping in the woods for two days?"

"I have no problem with it."

She looked at him, letting out a breath that wasn't quite a snort or a laugh before leaning back into him. She was quiet again, for longer than Andreas would've liked. Then finally, she let loose a breath of frustration. "Was it really that bad--Thorn's reaction, I mean," she said in a curious tone.

"He was downright murderous," Andreas replied, pulling back to cup her face in his hands. The anger had seemed to dim inside her, her eyes clearing. "He's obviously very fond of the nymph, and doesn't seem to be able to tell how fond she is of him. It's very amusing."

She grinned wryly. "I can't tell which of them I feel more sorry for."

Andreas smirked. "Well, we have probably come to the same conclusion of who her brother is. From what I've seen of him in your memories, I'd feel more sorry for Thorn."

She sighed very heavily. "I'm still holding out hope that it isn't Roe."

"How many other dragon Roamers are there?"

A weary look crossed her features and she fell silent.

After a moment, she sighed again, her gaze darting from his. "I'm... sorry I hit you." She turned her eyes on him again with a scowl. "But you deserved it."

He raised his eyebrows at her. "Did I? Very well, next time I will just go ahead and let him kill you."

She snorted. "As if he could. Or would. He was only angry because he doesn't understand himself. He's a lot like me in that regard."

Andreas chuckled and shook his head. "It's not just that, little Djin. He was upset because you had hurt her." He opened the mind-link and let her see exactly what had happened from the moment she started talking to the nymph, up until the moment they had devised their plan. He made sure to include the part where Caelei had walked away and Thorn had gone to retrieve her, opting to grab her around the waist instead of merely touching her as he could've. Andreas let her see everything he'd noticed, things he was sure Thorn hadn't realized he'd been paying attention to.

She processed the information before nodding slowly. "It's stronger than I thought..." she narrowed her eyes for a moment before throwing her shoulders back, turning her narrowed gaze on Andreas. He felt her push him out of her head, keeping him from her thoughts. His eyebrows furrowed.

"I might be willing to forgive you..." she paused for a moment. "If you help me with something."

"Oh, we are back to negotiating?" Andreas said with an arched brow. He let out a deep breath. "Depends on what you need help with, Djin. I've already spent the whole day bonding with your elf instead of murdering him. That should get me some credit, right?"

She softened slightly and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "It does. But, Thorn is never going to accept what he's feeling. He doesn't know how to... so we need to give him a push. And I know just how to go about it -- except, it won't be easy. I need to borrow your magic."

"What are you planning?" He narrowed his gaze on her suspiciously.

She simply grinned darkly. "Something very naughty."