Another Letter

Knock, knock, knock—

The knocking interrupted the intimate atmosphere in the bedroom.

"Who's there?"

Della landed softly. Feeling a little chilled, Annan put on his Mage Robe and opened the door.

Maid Abby stood outside holding a tray. "The Head Maid asked me to bring you dinner."

Annan remembered he hadn't eaten. He stepped aside and watched Maid Abby set down the tray and leave, then gently closed the door.

Della lifted the cover. There was a piece of baked bread and creamy mushroom soup. She broke off some bread and tasted the soup. Nothing seemed wrong.

"Thank you."

Annan didn't invite Daila to share dinner. He remembered that Elves refused man-made food and ate only natural fruit, honey, or maple syrup.

"So do you know anything about that Olmedo?" Annan asked as he ate.

"He's the heir to the Olmedo Family."

That was about all Daila knew.

After dinner, Annan placed the Spider Bottle beneath the bed, where it was dark and sheltered from the light. He climbed into bed wearing his Mage Robe and noticed Daila was still there.

"Aren't you going back?"

"Elves don't need much sleep. If I'm keeping you awake..."

Just as Daila began to say more than usual, she melted into the shadows in the corner.

Knowing Daila was somewhere in the shadows, Annan quietly pulled up the covers until only his night-dark eyes showed.

Annan woke slowly in the soft, spacious bed. His bleary eyes came into focus, and he saw Daila sitting in the corner, reading a book he had brought from the Attic.

"Good morning."

Annan sat up, and the slipping covers exposed him to the morning chill.

Della glanced at Annan, then returned to her book.

"Good morning."

The book in the Elf's hands was called City of Night.