No matter what I pick up and begin working on, I can’t follow any train of thought for too long- unless it has to do with Piper. This continues for quite some time, where I pick up a book to read and find myself rereading the same page over and over without ever coming away with a better understanding of the words on the page, or I sit down to write a lesson for the apprentices and find myself staring at a blank sheet of paper with the pen hanging limply in my hand.
I growl, frustration getting the better of me, and pinch the bridge of my nose. I don’t know how I’m going to get any kind of work done knowing that Piper’s in this house. All I can do is think about her, think about going up to her room and talking with her, laughing with her…
The fact that I’m behaving like a ridiculous whelpling with his first crush only irks me further. I’m seconds away from ripping the whole study apart in irritation when a knock echoes through the room, the door swinging open before I even have time to respond.
“You could’ve at least waited for me to say come in,” I grumble at Eth’tak, who gives me a lopsided grin, putting his fangs on full display.
“You’re in a mood,” he comments lightly as he plops himself into one of the armchairs across from the desk, readjusting his wings to fit over the low back.
“How’d the test go?” Eth’tak asks. The forced lightness in his tone has my eyes sliding to him with barely concealed suspicion.
“The test went fine. Why?”
He shrugs, not quite meeting my gaze.
“Just curious. What do you mean ‘fine’?”
“I mean fine, she holds the magic the Hooded One suspected she does, she just needs time to learn how to use it. Those humans have convinced her that it’s dangerous, something to be feared, so she suppresses it.”
Eth’tak bristles at the mention of the humans from Piper’s village, and a part of me feels validated by his reaction. If I’m not the only one that resents those monsters for the way they treated Piper, then that proves that they were truly horrible and I’m not just being possessive or overprotective out of sentimentality… unless…
“And how is she now?” Eth’tak asks, oblivious to the realization that’s dawning on me.
“She’s fine,” I respond, sharper than I intend to. Eth’tak groans, rolling his eyes.
“Again with the ‘fine’, for a scholar you seem to have a limited vocabulary today,” he pokes, grinning at me. His grin fades some as he gets a good look at my face.
“What?” Eth’tak asks warily.
“Why are you asking so many questions about Piper?”
Something falters in Eth’tak’s expression, a wall falling between us that hasn’t been there since we were children. It’s all I need to confirm my suspicions: Eth’tak has feelings for Piper.
I don’t know what to do with this information as we stare at each other across my study. I’m not typically jealous, or possessive, especially not when it comes to my oldest and dearest friend, and yet… does she want Eth’tak, too? Am I only standing in their way by wanting her?
The thought sends white hot envy bolting through me. Of course she’d want strong, funny Eth’tak over a bookish magician. I shove the thought down, appalled at the childish feeling but still unable to wholly shake it.
“I’m just curious,” Eth’tak says, the forced lightness not quite reaching his eyes. “She’s the only interesting thing that’s happened here in decades.”
“Curious, sure,” I scoff, unable to keep the venom out of my tone. Eth’tak climbs to his feet, his eyes dark.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I think curious is a funny word for interested.”
“I just said I was interested! I said she’s the only interesting thing that’s happened here in decades, why is that an issue?”
“That’s not the kind of interested you are and you know it,” I bite back, my already thin patience running dry. “You’re smitten with her, it’s obvious!”
Eth’tak recoils, something like embarrassment on his face as he turns away with a huff.
“Let me know when you want to speak candidly,” he grumbles, slamming the door on his way out of my office. I groan, sinking back into my chair and fighting the urge to tip over my desk.
Usually my friend is a source of comfort and laughter, but that… we haven’t bickered like that since we were whelplings. And over a human woman, no less.
I groan again, my face falling into my hands. It’s like I can’t control myself when it comes to Piper. In all honesty, it doesn’t upset me even remotely that Eth’tak wants her, mostly because I can’t blame him.
I want her too.