My eyebrows knit and I retreated further into my scarf.
“Thanks for the suggestion, but that’s why I’ll be heading in the other direction,” I said.
“Why don’t you work for us?” Rio piped up.
Bolivar’s head whipped around to look at him as if he had grown another head. The half-blood was unfazed, as usual.
“I can’t live on a boat,” I said.
“You wouldn’t have to, m’lady. We have a number of contacts in the capital, and we could always use your medical expertise.”
He was charming me. I knew it, but I could not help but be flattered.
“Ah, but would you be satisfied with potions and tinctures or would you be breaking bones for me to mend every-other day?”
“Oh, that was a one-time occurrence, m’lady. We would be more than happy to make use of anything you have to offer us, with monetary compensation of course.”
“Your offer is tempting.”
“I try my best.”
I chewed on my lip, thinking it over. I had not considered staying in the port.
“It would depend on what sort of place I could find to live,” I said. “The capital is not exactly known for its faun-friendly housing.”
“Not a problem,” Rio said. “Leave it to me, m’lady. Now, do we have an agreement?”
“I believe we do.”
“Pleasure doing business with you, Miss Taimi,” Bolivar smiled.
“Yup. No more dragon-hunting, mermaid-discovering missions, though, right?,” I said.
“I make no promises,” Rio said with a grin.
The afternoon sun on my back warmed me pleasantly. I listened as Rio and Bolivar whispered to each other, discussing nature of their next delivery to Lykwain. For a few minutes I kept picking up bits of their conversation that made no sense to my sleep-addled brain. Finally, Rio left the room for some reason and I was able to sink deeper into my stupor.
The dragon-kin made no sound as I dozed off.
I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder and heard someone calling something that