Chapter Eighteen

Arandir POV
Arandir, upon catching the scent that had wafted through the castle, had been left with a question. Did he and Wynne have another mate? It was the only possibility that he could imagine. But that wasn't something he'd ever heard of except in certain subcultures of the Fae; And it was even rarer than finding your mate in general. It was the only explanation he had right now, and it wasn't one he wanted to share with Wynne until he knew for sure.
"I don't know, yet, little one. But when I find out, I'll tell you. " He told her, hoping that his answer would satiate his mate's curious mind for now. Slowly, he took a seat next to her, pouring himself his own cup of tea. As he did, he watched Wynne's face, gauging her expressions. It seemed she was deep in thought. Hesitantly, Arandir pushed a stray wisp of her strawberry locks away from her cheek; tucking it behind her ear and letting his finger gently stroke down the side of her neck. The soft shiver that his touch brought her made him break out into a huge grin.
He loved being able to affect her so, even if they were stuck in a stalemate of friendship currently. Soon. With luck, soon. He had spent nearly all of his 577 years of life waiting, hoping to find something as precious as the mate bond, searching for the one that was destined to him. He wasn't going to just let it slip from his fingers because of his timidity and unwillingness to push for a relationship.
As he sat there, carressing her cheek as his tea started to grow cold, he smiled. A thought emerging in his head. Wynne had asked if there was some source of art supplies here.
"On the morrow, do you wish to visit the shops with me? Perhaps we can find an art one as you suggested. " He asked her, finally withdrawing his hand. "We can make a date of it, and get breakfast in one of the taverns as well. "
It overjoyed him to see the eager smile she gave him, happiness seeping from the woman from their bond. "I'd love that! I need new paings, and I want to see what stationary is here, and what supplies are like. Everything is so different here compared to back home. " Wynne told him.
A hint of sadness came as she mentioned her home, and Arandir couldn't resist slinging his arms around her. "Do you want to tell me about it? What it was like where you were raised? "
Wynne POV.
Wynne missed home greatly. She missed travelling the woods by her house, her friends, her studio. But she missed her parents most. Da, mostly. Her da shared the wonder of nature with her, told her stories, shared jokes, and he even was the one to push Wynne to keep up her art when she'd been injured. The burns to her hands had devastated her, and Da saw it all. He was by her side through everything. She couldn't help but wonder if her parents were okay.
"Da used to sit me on his knee and tell me stories. Stories about the Fae, and I assume this world. He started when I was little and my nightmares began. It helped comfort me. I helped him on the farm too, when I was little. We took care of horses, and he taught me how to tend the fields. Da even taught me how to tie knots, and skin rabbits. How to build a fire." Wynne paused to take a sip of the cold tea, mixing a little of the sweetened cream into her cup. "Ma wanted me to grow to be a proper lady, and she did teach me some good things. She taught me how to manage my money, and we shared a joy in music. But Da was the one that supported me after the accident. He helped me with my hands, took my to therapy, urged me to keep trying and not give up through the struggle. He helped me with renovations on my studio when I'd bought it. It was originally a rundown house, and he helped me make it into a beautiful space for my art. Ma just wanted me to marry for money, not reach for my dreams."
Arandir had listened to her speak with quiet fascination. Perhaps he'd like her father, if he ever got to meet the man. "What happened after you finished the renovations on your studio? " He asked, using a light brush of his finger to wipe away a drop of moisture from Wynne's lip. The action made her chuckle a little, flashing him a small and apologetic smile.
"Da helped me relearn how to hold a brush. He even helped me set up my supplies for a few paintings. Once I'd gotten back into the swing of my art, he urged me to start showing what I made to galleries. I eventually started selling and even commissioning paintings. Got my own place, and I was starting to build my own life. I'd just left the studio for home before I was brought here."
"You must miss them a lot, " Arandir said, finally taking a drink if the tea waiting for them. He had more to say, but when he'd opened his mouth to speak again, there was a knock at the door.