Chapter 52: Laryn

"My bride has no fear. She's like all the brides rolled into one without the incessant whining," I say to Bastian.

He doesn't reply immediately. I've spoken of my bride for an hour and not shut up. Finally, he responds with more reserve than usual. "I don't understand why she's sleeping in the tower room, Laryn. This truly baffles me."

A touch of spite enters my tone. "Of course you don't. You have Acasia for eternity. You can love her without risk of heartbreak. I don't have that luxury and I refuse to lose myself again when this one is gone. She's all I could ask for in a friend and bed companion, but it goes no further."

We lazily glide through a canyon until we spot a herd of deer. It's an easy capture and we both have our own tasty lunch within a few minutes. This is what I've missed these last years of separation from my friends-hunting, laughing, the occasional treasure run. My sharp talons tear through the hide like it's paper. I need to teach my bride to hunt. I know she wi