Alys was sorry to see Angela go, but the old woman was more than happy to keep her company. She helped Alys out of her bed and helped her wash. Alys was feeling well enough that could join Mirym and her husband Owyn for supper in the kitchen.
But afterwards, she could feel her temperature start to rise and went back to her bed. The window was open and the cool breeze soothed her feverish skin. She closed her eyes and thought about her sickness. Perhaps it really was time to leave Selendrile. She knew she would have to do it eventually. In a few years, she would look older than him and in a few more, they would have to pretend to be mother and son when in public. The idea was revolting.
But she didn't know what kind of life she could make for herself. She had learned so much during her travels. She could easily find a place to settle down with a decent profession. But would she want to have a family? Would she want to be with a man after having been with a dragon?
She could not say she was unhappy with Selendrile. He was stoic and emotionless most of the time, but there were moments when he genuinely seemed to care for her. She could never be sure, though. With him, it was difficult to tell.
She thought back to last night. She had been angry at him. He had questioned her character and suggested she hadn't been faithful to him. It still angered her to think about it, but she knew her anger had more to do with that he could have doubted her rather than about her character. If she wanted to start a new life, what could she say of her character? Many girls married at eighteen these days, but she was no longer a maiden. She was not married to Selendrile. And she had given up her maidenhood to a dragon. He had never forced her. Not too long after they had started to travel together, he had come to her, and she had not objected. Not for the first time, Alys wondered what madness had induced her to sleep with a dragon.
She turned her head when she heard a flapping noise at the window. A blackbird had perched on the sill. It cocked its head to one side. It was Selendrile.
"What are you doing here?" she asked the bird.
He flew inside and assumed his human form.
Alys sat up in bed.
"What are you doing? If they see you like this-" gesturing his nude form, "we're going to be in trouble."
"Relax," he said crossing his arms and standing at the foot of the bed. "I won't be long. I only came to see how you were."
"Why?" she asked a little irritably.
He shrugged.
"I don't plan to make an appearance until you are able to leave. How much longer will it be?"
Now Alys shrugged.
"Two more days perhaps. I feel much better already."
She wondered if she should mention her sickness, but decided now was not the time. That discussion would require some time.
"Well, that was all I wanted to talk about," he said and abruptly turned back into the blackbird. But he sat on top of the bed cover and didn't leave.
"What are you still doing here?" Alys asked. But he only cocked his head and watched her.
Annoyed but also a little pleased, Alys lay back down in the covers.
She remembered what he had said last night. That a female dragon had no obligation to stay with her mate if he could give her no children. But she had known from the start that they would have no children. He had told her so. And there was no reason he would lie about it. Did he think she wanted to leave, because she wanted a family? Or did he worry that she might leave?
She stared at the blackbird watching her and almost wished he would change back and lie down next to her. She reached out and stroked the bird's head and he came closer and stood on top of her blanket. He was still there by the time she fell asleep.