PENUMBRA (how the flowers grow)

24. Honeysuckle

"Bonds of love"

Tuluvey hasn't been this unerringly happy since the day he and Muin got married. It seems that everything- and he means everything- is going his way without any hiccups. There hasn't been any fights, not even verbal ones, and he's been making progress with Sabina. Sabina's been doing well, too, he thinks- at least better than she was when he first met her. At most, starting to be less on edge, maybe even starting to realize she has a family.

The thought thrills him and he searches for her on the road. She's perched on the end of the wagon, legs dangling over the side, with one of Eggel's books in her lap. She squints at it, which could either be a result from the glaring sun or the content of the pages. Next to her, Jitho snoozes with her head resting on the wall, starting awake when the cart hits a rock and jostles her so she bangs against the wood. Her tail is draped over Sabina's leg.

"You look very smitten," Xaniphe chimes in his ear, appearing like smoke. She's wearing the new dress she got in Stillhaven, the silvery one encrusted with jewels.

"How could I not be?" Tuluvey sighs. "Doesn't she look pretty?"

Xaniphe nods her approval. "She's cute. Has that mysterious air about her. Very your type."

Tuluvey rolls his eyes.

"She has nice hair," she goes on. "It's so thick, I bet it would be nice to play with. If I asked, think she would let me?"

"Maybe. She's been getting more comfortable, but I don't know, however, I can confirm her hair is nice to play with."

"Probably nice to tug on, too." Xaniphe winks.

Tuluvey laughs. "I don't think any of that will be happening soon."

"Poor you. At least you have yourself."

Xaniphe grins wickedly and bounds off to go flirt with Flix. He walks by himself for a while until he falls into step with Robb, who's trotting around in his dog form. Tuluvey pats Robb's head and gets a lick on the hand in return. Robb diverts off the dirt road and disappears into the woods, probably to follow a trail or something to keep himself from getting bored.

Around noon, the party stops at a water hole to take a break. Robb leaps into the water and shifts back, popping up to the surface to float on his back. Alinrou unties the horses and they go to the water's edge to drink and chew on the grass. L'gaoia undoes her braid and brushes her hair out with Xaniphe's help. Nearby, Vetsalla makes a cup of tea for her and Flix, Ag'druch perched on her shoulders like a fancy accessory.

On the other side of the pond, Jitho strips her clothes off and dashes for the water. Tuluvey gets a flash of an orange bottom before she goes under. Tremas and Eggel stay by the cart to read and ignore everyone else. Sabina slowly begins removing her clothes and sits with her pants rolled up and feet in the water. Jitho grabs her foot to pull her in and Sabina simply shoves her backward.

"You're so strong!" Tuluvey catches Jitho gush as he approaches.

Sabina rolls her eyes and slips off her shirt. She begins rubbing the salve all over her tattoos. The designs have faded to a rich, chocolate brown. They're still very much visible, but completely different than the blank that they started out as.

"Do you need help?" Tuluvey asks, eyes falling to her breasts.

Sabina glances up at him and he smiles. She shrugs and raises her arm to cover the back of her neck where the tattoos meet. Dark hair sprouts from her armpit and he wants to touch it. He doesn't have any body hair like that. Some fae do, Eggel can grow a beard, but most don't.