— So you like animals. How cute.
Ivy smiled, stumbling in after the elf and almost dropping the sack with a crash. Instead, she carefully set it down as if it were a child — and then collapsed onto the floor herself as her back suddenly relaxed.
Lifting her head and spitting dust from her mouth, the peasant raised a fist with her thumb up and rasped with a crooked grin:
— I’m alive. Thanks for the concern!
After that she rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling, trying to catch her breath. She hadn’t carried anything heavy in a long time. Give it a couple of days, and she’d get used to it again — she’d just grown lazy. Archie used to haul everything for her. She promised herself she’d visit her pet in the evening.
— You could say that. Unlike fucking humans and elves, animals usually behave… well. They don’t screw you over. And they don’t fuck you either. Mentally or physically — doesn’t matter.
The blonde seemed to drift toward the sack and dived into it almost headfirst, rummaging around for nearly a minute before finally pulling out two chicken legs. She spun them in her hands with satisfaction and headed toward the cage.
On the way, Yanael leaned down toward Ivy and casually kissed her on the lips.
— Thanks, quick little troublemaker.
She added with a smile.
Then she turned away at once and hopped over to the table, slipping the meat through the cage bars to the eagle. The bird immediately began tearing into it, holding the bone steady with one claw while ripping off small pieces.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Ivy blinked, slowly getting used to the spirited elf’s behavior. The warmth lingered on her full lips for a few seconds more. Nice woman. Didn’t seem to worry about much. Loved animals. A real elf — just without the royal manners, which Ivy found oddly refreshing.
Feeling a bit recharged, Ivy pushed herself up and sat, looking thoughtfully toward the table. She remembered the ranger’s words — that one chicken leg had cost him nearly a fortune. Either the elf was rich, or she was damn good at bargaining. Both options were good, so Ivy didn’t dwell on it.
She crouched beside the sack, untied it, and opened it wider to inspect the contents. Time to get to work.
Yanael placed the second chicken leg into the cage and spent a few more minutes watching the eagle eat with clear enjoyment. Then she shook herself like a wet cat, ran a hand through her curled hair, and walked toward the inner door of the building.
The structure was shaped like a right angle, with two rooms of equal size separated by a white wall and a heavy door. The second room was completely empty — not even an old table inside.
Without a word, the sharp-eared elf disappeared into that room, leaving Ivy alone with the half-hungry eagle.
Ivy jumped to her feet, pulling only the broom from the sack and propping it against the wall. Cleaning had to come first — the moment she’d inspected the place properly and spotted the obvious problems.
Даже вчера она заметила несколько небольших трещин в дальнем углу. Их нужно будет заделать подходящим раствором.
Направившись к двери, Айви начала двигаться вдоль левой стены, внимательно осматривая ее и отмечая небольшие царапины. В некоторых местах камень был отколот. Она запомнила каждое место, чтобы позже начать работу именно там.
Конечно, после уборки.
День обещал быть… долгим.
Янаэль, как и вчера, просто рухнула на пол на спину и начала думать о том мужчине, который, как оказалось, остался жив. Это ее не слишком беспокоило — скорее, удивляло.
Пролежав там около двадцати минут, эльфийка уснула посреди дня. Видимо, непривычная необходимость таскать этот тяжелый мешок быстро ее измотала.
Но это означало лишь одно — к наступлению ночи блондинка снова будет полна энергии.
А если бы она не решила куда-нибудь уехать, Айви, вероятно, пришлось бы очень тяжело.
Однако сейчас эльф крепко спал.
