”No!” Nyree didn’t want to go anywhere else. Her village was her home. Her favorite tree was there and she knew all the best places. The best people too. ”I don’t think so, anyway. I don’t want to.” Her eyebrows puckered in worry. Could they send her away to form a court? Even if she didn’t want to? Nyree hoped not.
”But here is where I am for now.” Here was where she needed to survive! Didn’t Enele change to fit where he went? Probably not, looking at him as he raved at her, Nyree couldn’t imagine him changing for anyone or anything. ”To rule, like a queen is supposed to rule.” No one seemed to care that Nyree didn’t want to. Content to be as she was forever, climbing trees and tending gardens. She tried because they said she must.
And instead of petting or summoning the craft she’d spent a year being taught, Nyree just sat through Enele’s temper. It washed over and off of her. He wasn’t angry with her, but for her, and Nyree adored him for it. Toes wiggling in behind his knee to show him so. ”I don’t know Enele.” Because everyone went off for training at some point. It was the way of things. ”Don’t worry, I didn’t like it when you left to train either.” She patted his arm and laughed as he scolded her. She’d said worse things! Some learned from him. Most from Mooki and his friends.
”Balls.” She whispered before laughing again. Hand curling over his arm because she was desperate to touch him, just as he was for her to stop. Prying her feet away. ”He just wants what is best for me.” Nyree cautioned. At least she thought so. Not always the kindest father or the most understanding, he was still her father. Protecting and caring for her all these years, and Nyree loved him.
”I’m sorry I wasn’t there.” Hand working up his arm in sympathy. Nyree knew it was hard not to have someone to turn to. Usually she had Mooki or Enele to depend on. But Enele was gone more than he was home now, and Mooki was getting older and struggling for independence. And here, here Nyree had no one at all. Except Enele had come to visit. Or was visiting while attending to Kotis business. Nyree didn’t need to come first, so long as she was remembered.
”Mhm.” Potent. Nyree liked it, toes curling in the grass. It made her stomach flutter, especially when he smiled like that. Giggling, she shoved his shoulder. ”Always worried about punching!” Nyree pulled a leg up under her skirt, heel resting on the bench as she hugged her knee. ”Nothing I can’t do with my Yellow.” She didn’t want to face the dark again. Alone in the nothingness where she did not exist.
”Yes!” She smiled at his laughter, cheek rolling on her knee. She thought no one would he so afraid of him if they just took a moment to look. To watch him laugh or smile or be happy. But he was so often scowling and snarling at everyone. ”That could come in handy in a fight.” Nyree giggled, not at all ashamed of what had happened. She still felt a little guilty for the black eye she’d given him though.
”Enele!” She chortled, but something hot and unfamiliar wormed its way up her spine. Uncomfortable in its heat and strangeness. It made Nyree blush and squeeze her leg tight. ”I don’t think that’s allowed.” Was her murmured warning. Muscles tensing as if she were in danger of being belt whipped that very moment. For comfort, Nyree dipped into her power, letting it spread along the garden. Feeling Enele’s boots shift over the ground.
”Glacia?” Nyree looked up, eager again. The strange sensation forgotten. Heel falling to the ground, Nyree turned on him, hands reaching for his pockets. ”Was it cold? Did you have to drink hot cocoa? Did you see any bears?” There would be chocolate somewhere. Enele always brought her some. The best chocolates came out of Glacia and he never forgot. ”Where is it?” Hiding in his cabinet probably since he always lost their wrestling matches. Nyree would have straddled him to find out if her skirts hadn’t caught and stopped her. Pinned under one leg and hindering the other.
”Please?” She wheedled, one hand at his side, the other on his shoulder, as if it would swoop up along his neck to cup his face. Nyree wasn’t sure what she was asking for, chocolate or a kiss, wanting both in equal measure now that her blood had been quickened by play and nearness. She could smell him better. Potent was a very good word for it.