She leans into him again, and he kisses her glorious hair.
“So what do we do now?” she asks. “Approach it?”
“I’m not certain. Tharios is the animal whisperer. He soothes creatures with his life magic.”
“Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me. But you have experience with Stardust. She’s very affectionate with you.”
“Unicorns can sense family bonds. Stardust loves me because my mother loves me.”
“And she nuzzled me because I’m yours?”
“Something like that. Come on.” Cerian helps Arisanna stand before rising beside her and brushing himself off. At least he broke her fall from the train.
The unicorn looks up at their movement but doesn’t run. He just studies them, tilting his head slightly as if curious.
Cerian steps around Arisanna and quietly approaches the lake as she follows. She’s not nearly as quiet as he is, though she seems to be trying. It makes him smile at her humanness. Most woodland elves move through the woods in near silence.
The unicorn watches them approach, only shifting slightly the closer they get. Cerian stops about ten feet away. Unicorns don’t generally spook like deer do, but he’s never approached a wild one. Only Stardust, who is very comfortable around people. She was bred by the Lothlesi.She’s never known anything else. This unicorn is clearly wild, though.
“Hello,” Cerian says.
The unicorn huffs in response.
“I wish I had a sugared plum,” Cerian whispers as he holds out his hand, and one appears in his palm.
“A sugared plum?” Arisanna asks.
“Stardust would grow round on them if Mother let her. It’s her favorite treat.”
Slowly, he steps closer, his hand outstretched, and the unicorn whinnies before stepping away.
“It’s all right, boy. You know me. In your heart.” Cerian gently pats his own chest, and the unicorn studies him before looking at Arisanna. “That’s right. She’s mine. See how your coat matches her hair? I know this is new and scary, but it will be all right. I promise.”
Cerian takes another step closer, and the unicorn doesn’t move.
“I have something I think you’ll like. It’s called a sugared plum. My friend Stardust loves them.”
He steps again, and his hand hovers near the unicorn’s nose. Cerian waits for the unicorn to decide he’s ready, and eventually the magical creature sniffs at the plum before snatching it from Cerian’s palm.
“That’s right,” Cerian says.
When the plum is gone, the unicorn nudges Cerian’s hand.
“You want another one?” Cerian wishes for a second plum, and the unicorn gobbles it up as soon as it appears. Then the unicorn pushes his warm nose against Cerian’s hand again, and Cerian laughs. “You like sugared plums, don’t you? One more for tonight. Then you can have an apple or a carrot. Too many sugared plums will give you a bellyache.”
“Would it frighten you to know I’m imagining you with elflings now, my elven prince?” Arisanna whispers in his ear, and he turns to stare at her. Elflings?
The unicorn shoves his nose against Cerian’s hand, and Cerian quickly wishes for another plum as he tries to push thoughts of elflings aside.
Whistling wind.
The unicorn nudges him again, and Cerian holds out his empty hands. “All gone for tonight. How about a carrot?”
The unicorn huffs, and Arisanna grins beside Cerian. “He doesn’t seem to like that idea.”
The unicorn shifts his attention to Arisanna next, nuzzling her hair and stamping his foot.
“I think he knows he changed,” Cerian says. “He doesn’t understand why.”
