I release my magic and a laugh too. “A dog or a turtle,” I echo. “Well, I don’t have any turtles currently, but there are plenty of dogs.”
We reach the part of the wing where glass doors line the walls, giving us a full view of the adorable residents within each room. The first doors we pass showcase indoor felines, caught in the act of play or slumber. Their rooms boast carved climbing posts, cushy toys, and beds built on shelves and windowsills. The next set of rooms are for outdoor cats. These rooms contain much of the same items as the previous but have the added benefit of small doors built into the far wall to allow easy access outside. Next, we bypass the handful of rooms reserved for fae creature and wildlife rehabilitation, then our healing and surgery rooms where the animal doctors I’ve partnered with work. Finally, we reach the dog rooms. No sooner than we stop before the doors do dozens of pups eagerly approach, tails wagging, tongues lolling.
Maisie all but skips from door to door, exclaiming over each dog’s cuteness. Perhaps she’s a kindred spirit after all. Tris maintains a much more reserved composure beside me.
“Do any catch your eye?” I ask, coming up beside Maisie as I find her returning to one door in particular for the fifth time. I like to allow my clients to show me their preferences before I assess the appropriateness of the match.
Maisie crouches down and presses a palm to the door, giggling as three small dogs lick the glass on the other side. “Why can’t I just have them all?”
I laugh, for it’s a sentiment I can relate to. In fact, it’s taking all my restraint not to turn into a squealing mess and dive headfirst into the nearest room to start a puppy pile. But I’ve learned to keep my wits when I have clients present. Even more so when Tris is around. I’ll save the squealing, snuggling, and puppy piles for after they leave.
“If you aren’t drawn to any dog in particular, I think your needs and temperament match well with Charlotte.” I point at the middle dog, a squished-face pup with a plump belly that should provide that heft she mentioned. “She’s a year old and loves to snuggle and be carried. She also needs plenty of exercise, though. Oh, and she enjoys playing in the water.” I add the last part as I recall Mrs. Morrison announcing her as a princess of the Sea Court.
Maisie turns a teary-eyed grin at me. “She’s perfect! Can I play with her before I decide?”
I lead Maisie and Charlotte into a private playroom where the princess can get to know the dog one on one. As I close the glass door and watch Charlotte smother a giggling Maisie with kisses, I know it will be a perfect pairing. I have instincts for matches like that. Setting adoptable animals up with hopeful owners is a thousand times more satisfying than matchmaking lovers ever was.
Tris clears her throat to remind me she’s still here. I turn to face her and find her shifting from foot to foot, her haughty composure faltering. “Do you think…” She trails off then tries again. “Do you think you might have a match for me?”
My lips stretch wide. To be honest, I’ve been waiting for this question for months. I already know her well enough to pair her with the perfect animal companion. I gesture for her to follow me farther down the hall. “How do you feel about a bird?”
* * *
TORBEN
I crouch down and pluck a round yellow berry from the short bush before me. Bringing it to my nose, I assess its scent, a rich profile of sweet strawberry mingling with clove-like spice. I pop it into my mouth, and the first bite brings a smile spreading across my lips. The taste is similar to its scent, but with a creamy vanilla note thrown in.
“Perfect,” I say to myself and pluck three more to give to Astrid later.
As soon as I think her name, her scent floats upon my awareness, overpowering the soil, leaves, and berries around me. I turn to find her strolling toward me from the manor. The afternoon sun sends her golden gown glittering and highlights the hint of blue in her short dark tresses. I don’t think I’ll ever get over how lovely she is. I still recall what it was like when she hid her face from me. From the world. Of course, hiding herself behind her magic gave me a chance to get to know her from an entirely different angle—from the inside first. That’s not something I can regret.
I close the distance between us and hand her one of the bright yellow berries. She takes it from me, frowning. “Are you sure that’s ripe?”
“Trust me.”
She winces before popping the fruit into her mouth. Her expression quickly turns to pleasure as she bites into the berry. “Blooming hell,” she mutters and snatches the other two from me.
My lips curl into a smirk. “I take it you like the taste?”
She doesn’t miss the suggestive lilt to my words and looks up at me from under her lashes. “I like the taste. But there’s something else I’d rather taste more.”
Heat stirs in my chest, and I don’t hesitate to gather her into my arms and press my lips to hers. She moans softly against my lips, and I deepen our kiss, lifting her slightly off her feet. She throws her arms around my neck, pressing herself against me. I pull her closer, lift her higher, tempted to heft her all the way up until her legs are wrapped around my waist.
But…we have an audience. I can smell the attention of the field workers and laborers nearby, although most are merely amused by our display of affection. It wouldn’t be the first time they’ve witnessed us in such a state.
Setting her back on her feet, I pull my lips far enough from hers to whisper, “You smell like dog.”
She lets out a mock gasp and swats me on the shoulder. “I…have no excuse. I may or may not have initiated a puppy pile.”
I chuckle. “Please tell me you got your stepmother to join.”
“Of course not. I waited until she left, thank you very much. But I did manage to send her home with a blue budgie.”
I pull my head back in genuine shock. “You actually convinced her to adopt a pet?”
“I think a bird will suit her.”
“You might be right,” I say.
