Chapter 16: The Proposal

Aeris stared at the bowl of hot stew in front of her. Thin wisps of steam flowed up from the meal to the ceiling, a heavenly scent of beef, peppers, carrots, and unidentified herbs filling her nose with every inhale. But her stomach remained silent.

She was out with Windor, yet for the first time since meeting the drake, she wasn’t enjoying his company. Knowing Maggie was okay hadn’t alleviated the guilt for putting the woman in danger. It was made worse when she had to go to Aubrey’s for the reading lessons. Aubrey didn’t tell anyone that Maggie was there or about the attack. “After everything that’s happened, it would be best if they didn’t know,” she had said.

Rowen hadn’t come back after Caleo’s murder. No one said it, but they all knew it was the reason she wasn’t there. It was written on everyone’s faces. Even if it had nothing to do with the reading lessons, they had to continue.