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the look of things and all the kisses, Breanne needn’t be in
on.
    She glanced about for Quinlan, caught Shane’s
eyes on her and felt eager to escape to her bedchamber—without him
or any other following. She hoped the visiting bards would be
enough of a distraction to allow her to slip away unnoticed. She
needed to prepare to steal away, no easy feat with the likelihood
of revelry lasting into the night.
    As the food cleared and the music began,
Breanne slipped into the kitchen. Dishes sat in wait, the room
otherwise empty. She needed a cloak and her book from her room and
Heremon had said midnight, but also she recognized that easily, she
could slink out now and not be missed.
    With one glance and three short steps,
Breanne sneaked out the door, the best path of avoidance. She liked
this better than any entertainment, especially when the cool night
air gusted on her face. The smell of heather was strong from the
recent rains and Breanne sucked air into her lungs. She felt
released.
    She stood there only long
enough to ascertain no one followed or wandered
nearby , then
slinked through the shadows, past the walls of the dun, and through
the postern. Jitters of excitement danced through her. Her only
regret was that Heremon wouldn’t get to examine her notebook, her
developing Grimoire.
    She could hear him now, “No, no. This chant
is all wrong”. Surely he would understand she had to take the
opportunity when presented?
    “Too late now,” she said aloud. The moon
would be full in less than two weeks and looked like a glowing
smile surrounded by freckles of stars.
    “Too late for what?”
    Breanne screamed and turned to the direction
of the too familiar voice. Pins and needles of fright rushed her
shoulders and scalp. With her hand over her thumping heart, she
glowered at Finn’s scruffy, pleased countenance.
    “Why do you so love to come upon me like
that, cat?” she said. Thankfully, he’d waited until she’d cleared
reach of the keep to frighten the clothes right off of her. She
should be used to it, should expect these little acts by now.
    Finn joined her walk without so much as a
chuckle of satisfaction. His step was heavy, purposeful.
    “Where have you been?” Breanne asked, his
quiet making her wary.
    “Hunting fairies, preying on pixies.” His
usual sarcasm held a note of disturbing sobriety to it. “You know
they are quite tasty, the little people.”
    “Heremon won’t arrive at the Grove for some
time. If you’d like, we can try again when we get there,” she said,
guilt over her failing him gnawing her.
    He didn’t reply and she didn’t repeat
herself. Obviously, Finn felt bent to brood and who was she to stop
him? If she’d waited half the number of years as he, she’d be more
than pouting, too. Once they got there, he’d probably let her try
again. But she didn’t have her book. No matter. Perchance starting
from scratch would turn out more successful. The idea assuaged
Breanne’s guilt and focused her mind.
    Night’s sounds sang in the breeze. Crickets
chirped, frogs croaked, water burbled louder as they neared the
wooded area. They headed to the usual meeting place after Breanne
completed her ritual blessing and offering.
    “ I can’t see a reason to
bother with it.” Finn lay on the grass and thumped his tail as he
watched her bend, poke, pick through the foliage.
    “We have time.” She chose
to ignore the snide remark , but smiled at hearing signs of his usual
self.
    “Are you no longer worried for Heremon? With
all the fuss and froth this afternoon, I thought you’d be rushing
to find him first chance presented,” Finn said, his tone
venomous.
    Heat climbed Breanne’s
neck. She clenched her fists. She would not let him bait her
tonight, not after the day she’d had. He couldn’t be expected to
empathize with her plight , but might appreciate that she did his. She pursed
her lips tightly, refusing to spit harsh words back at
him.
    “I believe I overreacted