“Yes.”
“Then I’m sure it will be entirely adequate.” The unicorn wiggled her butt deeper into the seat and watched the town go by. She was alternately amused by how “quaint” and “backward” the town was, and irritated by how many supernaturals were “strolling around as if they owned the place.”
I reminded her they belonged here, just like she belonged here, as long as they followed the rules, just like she was expected to. Also, if she broke the rules, it would earn her a one-way-ticket back to some other meadow.
“Of course I’ll follow the rules,” she demurred, eyelashes fluttering. “I’m a unicorn. Everyone knows unicorns are perfect.”
Chapter 7
Xtelle sniffedat the raised beds that lined the fence, took a second or two to glance at the rose bushes and wild honeysuckle, rhododendron and wildflowers that had taken over the south side of the yard.
She trotted up to me. “It’s…nice.”
“Nice.” I liked gardening, which wasn’t always easy here on the coast with the salt air and sandy soil.
“I’m just used to something more…” she waved her hoof at my gorgeous flowers and shrubs, “spectacular.”
“Well, this is as good as it gets here,” I said. “Not even Felix, who takes care of the heritage garden, has a nicer yard.”
“Oh, I know youtried, dear. It’s just you’re so disappointingly human.”
I decided to ignore the patronizing little jerk, and turned to the back door. “There’s a door here to the garage. You can open it by pushing.”
“The garage? Why would I want access to your vehicle?” Her eyes narrowed and became hard. “You don’t think I’m a vehicle do you? A beast of burden?”
“No. I know what you are.”
A pain in the neck diva.
“Look. I don’t have a magical meadow for your frolicking needs. My garage is weatherproof, insulated, finished, and clean. It’s the next best space.”
“I—what about your house?”
“My house?”
“Surely it can’t be any worse than your garage?”
“No, it’s—”
“Then it shall suffice for the time being. Show me your master bedroom.”
“No. Nope. That’s mine.”
“But I am your guest! Royalty. Should I not have the very best?”
“You’re not my guest, you’re my responsibility until you’re more comfortable living in Ordinary on your own.”
“Oh.” She sniffed and lowered her head. “I see. I’ll just stay out here like a common horse, a beast, a…a vermin of some sort, cold, shivering in the rain while my magnificent image rusts and decays, until I’m nothing but hooves and mushrooms not even fit for Felix’s compost pile.”
Drama. Queen.
No. Drama. Empress.
“Xtelle?”
“Yes?” she whimpered at the grass.
“Would you like to come inside my home and check out the guest room?”
