Huntsman by Viola Grace Page B

nodded. “We felt them die. Each and every one of us in cold sleep felt them die.”
    “How long does it feel like to you?”
    He shrugged. “A few months is what it feels like, but your mind is telling me that centuries have passed.”
    Harka blushed. “Sorry about that. I have been told that my mind is a bit of a blabbermouth.”
    Derin laughed. “I have never heard it put that way.”
    “I have also been told that I don’t have the most orderly of speech patterns.”
    “I do not mind. It is amusing to wonder what will come out of your mind next.”
    He poured a cup of tea for her and gesture for her to sit.
    She regretfully left the array of books and took the chair he held out for her. She settled and tried to pick the cup up with her mittens. It wasn’t going to work. “Do you have a straw?”
    He was stifling snickers as he produced a straw long enough for her to use.
    She held the straw with her fluffy white hands and sought the straw with her lips for a moment before making contact. She whimpered when the heat from the tea was too much and swallowed with a wince.
    He laughed out loud and cooled the psychic tea with the wave of his hand.
    She sucked in cool air and stuck her tongue out for a moment. He was nearly apoplectic with giggles.
    “Thorry. I hath neber been goob with digmity.” She frowned and let her tongue resume its place.
    “You could simply heal yourself.”
    She concentrated and the burn inside her mouth faded. “I apologise. I am not used to this whole mental thingy. It isn’t really within the Horalthian purview.”
    “Then, how are you here with me?”
    She wrinkled her nose. “Chemical intervention. It has rendered me bald, but my hair will grow back.”
    He looked at her with amusement. “You are not bald now.”
    She pulled a lock of hair over her shoulder. It was her normal ash brown, but it had blue streaks in it. “The blue is your touch, I am guessing?”
    Derin grinned. “It is. Sorry. I thought you were one of my constructs when you appeared. I summon a female form from my imagination now and then.”
    She looked down. “That explains why my breasts are smaller. I was wondering.”
    He blinked at her candor. “I will have to make adjustments for you.”
    “Naw, I will get used to it. I am usually top-heavy, so this is a little holiday for my shoulders.” She smiled brightly.
    “You are the oddest creature.”
    “I am going to file that as a compliment.”
    “Please do. You are certainly keeping my attention.”
    Outside, there was thunder and the pounding of rain. Derin got up and put a log on the fire. She unwrapped one hand, and it was healed, if a little pink. The other was in better condition.
    She flexed her fingers and picked up her tea. “Oh, that is much better.”
    Harka sat back in her leather armour and looked around. “What is this armour for?”
    “Hunting. I like to go hunting. Of course, I never catch anything, but the act of stalking my prey is satisfying on a very base level.”
    “When the rains stops, do you want to hunt?”
    He grinned. “Do you think you can keep up?”
    “No, but you can use me as bait.”
    Derin had a bemused expression on his face. “Definitely an odd creature.”
    They were on their second pot of tea when he asked, “How long will the healing take?”
    “Oh, it takes six months to a year depending on how stubborn you are, but with me here, the time will fly. A matter of days with me in here will see you through. We alter your perception of time.”
    He settled in his seat. “How long has it been so far?”
    She cocked her head and checked. “Six weeks. A few hunting trips and the whole thing will be done.”
    “You are serious. It will feel that quick?”
    “Of course. We don’t want to drive either of us insane before I leave your mind. It is better if it feels faster. Don’t you think?”
    Derin leaned back in his chair. “I think that there are many things I would like to do with you, and I wouldn’t like