She looks neither convinced nor pleased as I reach into the cauldron a fourth and fifth time. But then she surprises me by putting her foot down in the bluntest fashion as she grabs me by the tail and yanks it hard enough that I stumble back from the cauldron with a squawk of surprise. I look back at her in shock and frown to communicate my displeasure, but she scowls back at me, not the least bit intimidated.
“This is more than enough, Jak. Really, all the lavish feasts, as delicious as they may be, are not even necessary.” She gives the cauldron an annoyed look, but then her expression shifts as she peers at it thoughtfully. “Obviously you have a special skill required for the magic, but do you have to be the one to reach in?”
I am caught off guard by her question. “I do not know,” I admit. “I do not think anyone has ever tried to allow another to reach into their cauldron before. At least no one that is not an offspring being properly taught.”
Shawna’s lips purse, and she nods toward the cauldron. “Go ahead. Conjure up some eclairs. I’m in the mood for something sweet.”
I shoot her an uncertain look, but I do as she asks and I gather the portal flame and expand it beneath my claws. It widens once more to a glowing disk, but it is Shawna’s hand that suddenly thrusts into the cauldron in front of me. We both freeze, and I turn to look at her apprehensively. A funny expression crosses her face, but then she giggles, breaking the tension.
“It tickles like a hundred very warm champagne bubbles breaking all over my skin,” she murmurs. “This is absolutely wild, Jak.” Her head tips as she looks over at me. “Is this what it feels like to you?”
“More like hundreds of tiny flames peeling back my skin,” I reply dryly, “but let’s go with yours.”
She laughs again, a sound of complete wonder that makes my heart speed up in reaction to merriment crashing through her energy, raising its vibration even higher. I tear my attention away from it, however, to narrow my focus once more on what matters—her. And it is worth it because her smile lights up my heart entirely when she lifts the plate of eclairs from the cauldron with a jubilant shout. Not for the energy cultivatingwithin her, but because she is so radiantly happy as she sets that plate among the others and turns toward me triumphantly.
“It worked!” she exclaims and I nod, incapable of doing anything less. She does not seem to notice how captivated I am, however, because she gives a brisk nod to the other plates before picking up the eclairs and heading to the table with them. “Grab something and bring it over,” she shouts over her shoulder. “This was a fun experiment, but let’s hurry up and dig in while everything is hot. I’m not going to miss out on a warm meal... or those berries... because we were too busy fooling around with magic.”
I chuckle, the spell breaking, and comply. “I would not even think of causing such a delay,” I assure her as I pick up two plates and follow her.
I am also very eager to see what the next moments hold. This is truly becoming a midwinter of surprises.
Chapter 19
Shawna
Iam skipping down the forest path. I feel ridiculous and juvenile, especially since I am sinking a bit and snow is kicking up every time I take a skipping step forward, but I can’t bring myself to really care how silly I look. That Jak is holding my hand and grinning while I act like an idiot is endearing him even more to me. How was I never lucky enough to find someone like this in my own world with another human?
My last boyfriend had merely given me an impatient look whenever I acted less than mature and would quickly distance himself. But not Jak. Conversely, he seems completely delighted with it, his wings fanning slightly with his pleasure as his tail flicks the air in an upbeat rhythm. And that just makes his natural sex appeal ramp up even higher to me. Beyond his temperament and the attraction between us, there is the fact that I appreciate every moment with him and feel fulfilled even when we are just casually sitting together. I truly can’t imagine the long stretch of days ahead of me in which he would no longer be a consistent figure present in my daily life.
It could also in part be the great sex talking, but that is a chance I’m willing to take.
Which just begs the question: why do I want to go back again?
I follow the feeling deep within my gut as I admire the crystalline branches of the iced trees. There is no emotional tension knotting me up miserably, no dread, or anxiety twisting me up with the knowledge that tomorrow brings another day that I have to get through while trying to find some small silver lining, or small thread of happiness, to say that the day was worth it after all. There is nothing but a feeling of lightness that I can only imagine is peace and contentment. Jak hasn’t made me any promises, but I feel... happy. Does he feel the same?
I steal a peek at him from the corner of my eye and bite back a smile when I discover that he isn’t even looking at our surroundings. Instead, he is watching me, his gaze warm and his sharp, angular features softened into something sweet as his lips curl in a faint smile. His lips part slightly as if he is about to say something. My heart quickens in reaction, but the moment ends and his lips close again, returning to that same quiet smile.
I am tempted to ask him what he is thinking. Is he thinking the same thing as I am? Does he daydream about what it would be like to be together like this every day? But the words remain stuck behind my lips because I do not even know where to begin without sounding like an idiot. But if he asked... if he even so much as whispered that he wants me to stay, what then?
I lick my lips as I walk at a sedate pace at Jak’s side. My gaze drifting among the trees, I test the feeling of either option. Stay or go home?
I would stay. The answer wells up from my heart with such force that it takes me by surprise. There is no hesitation or gentle and uncertain stream of certainty. This knowing is more like a river breaking through a dam. I would stay. Just one word, and I would happily remain here and never return home.
This realm is far from home—and perhaps a bit too remote and isolated, even for me, which may require some discussion about any restrictions he may have on his freedom and mobility—and I may even miss some members of my family from time to time, but having this magic every day is worth it. Having Jak is worth it.
