He smiled, his gaze dancing just out of reach from my own.
"I know," he said.
The knot of tension pulsing within me unravelled. I let out a sigh. The weight pushing on my chest was gone, leaving me relaxed again. Oddly, it was easy to relax with him.
"Can I show you something?" Leveret asked.
That was a Leveret-ism I enjoyed, too—the way he bounced back from conflict so easily. Perhaps I liked this trait because I was the opposite—surly and prone to holding grudges.
"Sure," I said.
Leveret brightened. There was a skip in his step as he backtracked to where he'd kneeled earlier and waved me over.
He pointed to the white flower. "Look," he said urgently, like it was critical that I do so.
"I see it," I said.
"Do you know what it is?"
I regarded him. By his tone, I recognized he asked because he wanted to be the one to explain what it was.
Of course, I already knew. I was an immortal spirit. I'd walked this land from time immemorial—well, not counting the ages I was forced into darkness, but I did my best not to think about that—and I possessed more knowledge than any single mortal could obtain in their lifetime.
And yet, I wanted to forget so Leveret could teach me. The excited anticipation on his face was too honest to refuse.
"Why don't you tell me?" I suggested.
His eyes lit up as he launched into it. "The common name for this flower is a celestial rose. The Latin name isRosa obscurum.You might think 'obscurum' refers to the fact that it grows in obscure locations, like this cliff. But it's actually a reference to the fact that its petals only unfurl in darkness, which is the opposite of most roses that bloom in sunlight." He glanced up at the night sky, then back to the flower. "That's why it's blooming right now."
Leveret paused to take a breath. He ran a finger gently along one of the white petals, careful not to damage it. His gaze was entirely focused on the rose.
"I've never seen one before. Only read about it in books." As if remembering I was there, he looked at me. "Did you know all of that?"
I wouldn't lie to him again, but I made an exception this time.
"Not in that much depth. Thank you for explaining it to me," I said.
Leveret smiled brightly. "You're welcome, Animus."
Warmth ignited in my chest. When was the last time anyone said those words to me—and meant it?
Never.
Leveret's expression hadn't dulled. He was still smiling at me. My throat tightened, and the warmth grew hotter.
He's only happy to talk about a topic he's passionate about,I told myself critically.It has nothing to do with you.
I stood up, frazzled by my ridiculous reaction. But even the cold air blowing across the cliff's edge couldn't suck the warmth away.
"You should get some rest. It's been a long night," I told him.
He yawned. "Okay. Where should we sleep?"
I nearly choked. "We?"
"Aren't you going to sleep, too?" he asked.
Feeling ridiculous, I recalled that Leveret had slept communally his whole life—either curled up with the pack, or in a cabin with his cousins. I’d misunderstood what he meant and blew it out of proportion.