We spent the rest of the morning walking back to the manor, Alexander staying as best he could beneath the shade of the trees. <<The cave’s lights are nearly as strong as the moon>>, he explained. <<They bloom when the moon changes its shape. So we may dwell in them without suffering from prolonged darkness. Though now>>—and to my surprise, Alexander slipped on the dewy leaves and required  me to steady  him . <<Now, I am almost lightdrunk. I suppose I should not have anymore>>.

But the sun of the North was impossible to evade. I giggled as he stumbled once more and I put my arm around his waist so he could lean on me. Even the sparse light filtering through the canopy above seemed to affect him. His intentions were much less refined as he soaked in the blazing bits of sun.

<<My favorite part…so far…would be your throat. You have a perfect  neck. Perfect>>.

I patted his chest to quiet him, but he only lifted my hand and kissed it. <<And I like to watch the way you do things. You have more instinct than most humans. You do not have to think as hard about what you want. You move like…like the moonlight. You go where you want to go. You touch what you want to touch>>. He paused. <<You touched me, even>>. Then he smiled. <<I thought you would be too afraid, but you had more courage than even I did>>.

I had arrived, and it was time to part ways with this pyre. I kissed him goodbye and tried to set my mind to what lay ahead. A chance to establish two routes: one above ground to steal slaves from their masters, and one below Lykke to smuggle them out to freedom.

But the pyre who I was supposed to be fearing got very serious. <<It is a sinful matter, that you would be forced to wear clothing all day, when beneath it all is the very meaning of beauty>>.

So we kissed a bit longer. Until the sun was too hot and the Renningtons were no doubt alerted to my absence. And then, with great reluctance, we parted ways.

Episode 91: A Pupil And Her Teacher Make Plans For Travel

“There you are,” June said, lifting a book in the air as we walked through the foyer together. “You have just read this, in case you are wondering. And it was done largely against your will, but I, with my iron fist of education and etiquette, along with my foolproof methodology, have forced you through it.”

I grinned at the clever governess. Feigning a strict schedule was a brilliant idea. One which would make me appear often occupied. For though I loved to read, the time for leisure was behind me. Now was the time for action. Action, and grandiose levels of deception.