Blackfeather Woods bitter pill

It was obvious he didn't know. What did he know, about this place? Maegi shook her head at his question, her face that unusual mix of sadness and joy--shall we call it bittersweet?--that seemed to occupy her countenance so often. "No," she whispered, "it isn't important. What's important is that you're here and safe.."

She scoffed, then, butting his shoulder gently with her head. "I was so worried about you!" the girl scolded, frowning at him--though she couldn't keep the happiness from her eyes, even then. How could she really be angry when fate had brought them together again so perfectly? "I looked all over the place. No one had seen you."

The unmarred side of her mouth quirked in a smile. "Guess that was payback for my night with the poppy seeds, huh?" she said ruefully, shuffling her feet but keeping her gaze firmly fixed on him. She had given him, and everyone else, quite a scare. But that wasn't as bad as leaving without word. . .right?