slowly darkened to mahogany.
Then the song was over. Everyone clapped, and Edan bowed his head. He looked tired, but there was a faint smile on his lips. “The wife and I should retire. It’s getting late.”
“It’s not late,” I protested. I lifted my head to the sky. “You just want to leave so you can fly away.”
If I hadn’t drunk so much, I would have caught Edan’s flinch, but it was fleeting, and I barely noticed. He forced a laugh and patted my shoulder. “Up we go. The wife needs her rest.”
“No good-night kiss?” Orksan teased.
Orksan’s brothers chimed in. “Kiss her.”
“You can’t leave without a kiss.”
That tickle in my stomach returned. My head weighed more than I remembered as I turned to face Edan. He was already looking at me, a strange, hesitant flickering in his eyes. Was he going to kiss me? Orksan and his brothers chanted in the background, and my heart quickened. Was he leaning forward?
I couldn’t bear the suspense. So hastily I surprised even myself, I kissed Edan on the cheek. A quick peck, then I shot up so fast that Edan had to grab me by the waist so I wouldn’t fall.
Edan wrapped my arm over his shoulder. I couldn’t argue. My heart pounded, and blood rushed to my head when he pressed a gentle kiss on the side of my lips, just missing my mouth.
His lips were soft, despite the desert’s unrelenting dryness. A shiver flew up and down my spine, even though his breath was warm, and his arm around me even warmer.
The world beneath me spun. I felt Edan’s hands clasp under my knees, and the pressure of standing disappeared. He was carrying me! But I was too tired to care. He was strong, and he crouched low to enter a tent. I turned away from the light.
“Don’t enchant me into falling asleep,” I warned him drowsily.
“I don’t think you need any help with that tonight.”
I knew he was right, even as I defiantly tried to stifle a yawn. “I’m going to stay up. I’m going to watch you change into a hawk. Don’t you dare touch me. I know you enchanted me last night.”
Edan’s hand hovered above my forehead, but he pulled it away and didn’t touch me. “Sleep well, my Maia.”
Curse him, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. They closed, and my mind lingered on a forbidden thought before slipping into slumber.
I wish Edan had kissed me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Pain roared in my ears. My head throbbed so violently I feared it would split in two. Standing up only made it worse, and every step sent a pang to my skull.
Edan’s grin didn’t make things better. “Morning, xitara.”
“Don’t you have something to make the pain go away?” I pleaded.
“I brought medicines for cuts, burns, and bruises,” he replied with a laugh. “Not for the aftermath of drinking oneself into a stupor.”
Miserably, I glared at Edan. “You’re the one who told me to drink.”
“I didn’t know you’d finish the entire gourd!”
“I don’t remember that.” I clutched at my temples, groaning. “My head feels like it’s being attacked by demons.”
“It’s not as bad as that,” Edan assured me. There were shadows under his eyes again, and I wondered how much sleep he had gotten. “Trust me.”
He passed me a canteen full of lemongrass tea Korin had brewed. “Here, it’ll help.” As I drank, he looked at me earnestly. “I shouldn’t have goaded you into drinking, especially so soon after a fever. I’m not used to taking care of another person.”
I softened in spite of myself. “Being an enchanter sounds like a lonely job. Tailoring is too.” I cleared my throat, feeling suddenly awkward.
Edan chuckled. “Come on. The others are getting ready to go.”
We were out of the desert by midday the next day. I almost kissed the Road when I saw it. On this side of the continent, it was merely a narrow, pebble-strewn path, but I didn’t care. Dirt, birds, even the buzzing gnats I had once despised so much—my eyes welled with tears of relief to see them all. And the river in the near distance—so much water!
Leaving the desert also meant parting with our new friends, including the two camels that Edan had agreed to trade for two of Orksan’s horses.
Korin and I hugged each other. “Good luck with your dresses,” she told me. “And thank you for your help. Write to me when you and Delann have settled into your new shop.”
“I will,” I said, pursing my