Cinnamon Bun

Chapter Five Hundred and Five - Sympathy for the Monster

"You can unhand me, now," Amaryllis said.

"I'm not quite done yet," I said as I gave her a cheek rub for good measure.

"Is this normal?" Laine asked.

"Awa, I think so?" Awen tried.

I decided that two minutes was long enough for a hug, at least this kind of 'I'm happy you're alive' hug. Obviously, I could have gone on for longer, but I didn't want to annoy Amaryllis too much.

"Sorry," I said. "I was just really worried."

Amaryllis huffed a weird huff that was hard to translate, then she reluctantly wrapped her wings around me. "Fine," she said. "I was worried about you too. For nothing, obviously."

I grinned. "I think everyone's made it here, then?" I glanced around and counted heads. Obviously Awen and Calamity and Desiree were fine. Orange was snoozing. Miss Laine was here, as was Sir Aberrforth, and they seemed to be standing closer to each other than I would have expected from the witch's previous behaviour towards him. The explorer we'd found earlier was patting the shoulders of two others who'd been with Amaryllis.