“Ave!” Savine called as she closed the bathroom door. “We shouldn’t do this.”
—
An hour later, Avery was snugly situated between Jari’s antlers and Savine’s hard, warm thighs. Kyla, Rue, and Garnel joined them on their own elk, as well as a few other guards. Now that this was an official outing, Savine had called for more guards than Avery thought were necessary. She was wrapped in a thick wolf pelt, cutting out the chill of the bitter snow that drove against the furs. She also wore a truly ridiculous rabbit skin hat and thick fur mittens.
Ifshe had the ability to safely and comfortably hop between realms, Avery wouldn’t hesitate to bring back loads of stuff fromher old home. High-performance winter gear would be at the top of the list. Plus her skis. And her bike. And leggings. She was missing American clothes at this point. Oh, and tampons. She really needed tampons. And coffee. If she was honest with herself, she’d return to her realm just to get a bag of coffee beans.
The idea that this could be a possibility made her feel excited. She wanted to share her world with Savine. She wanted him to experience agoodburger and a beer. She even wanted to see the look of shock on his face when she drove him on the interstate. It would be a delicious torture. But then they’d return home to Latiah after a day of exploring and make love slowly under the furs.
She leaned against him, soaking in his strength. His lips met her ear and he kissed the rounded shell. It was cute, how much he loved her little human ears. She’d never thought there was such a thing as an ear guy, but Savine seemed to be one.
The city streets were quiet as they rode through Orofine. The first significant snowfall brought a hush throughout the valley as folk chose to spend the day at home.
“I still don’t like this, Avery,” he murmured.
“I know. But we have a plan. It’s not me going in there. It’s you, and I’m worried about you too.”
He tightened his grip on her waist, pulling her as close as she could go against him, her ass brushing against his cock.
“Don’t ever worry about me, Ave.”
She couldn’t help but wriggle against his hardening length.
“Ave,” Savine growled, pushing her forward to give them some distance.
“Sorry! I can’t stop myself! You’re just so hot when you get all worked up.” She wiggled against him again, the axe at her side bumping against their legs.
Savine let out a gravely laugh. She would never get tired of that laugh. A laugh from Savine was like a little reward. Afterso many years closing himself off to everyone, only working to better his folk, she could see the layers peeling back each day. He called her his Little Flower, but he was the bud. Every day, opening up a little more, revealing another petal that only she got to enjoy.
“I’m going to have to start riding Dandelion, aren’t I?”
“Never!” Savine growled. “I like you right here. Just don’t dothatright now.”
Jari let out an indignant huff of agreement and they both laughed.
They reached the outskirts of Orofine, just outside the city gates. The homes were small, simple cottages. Most were neat, tidy homes, sparkling with a fresh layer of snow. But the one they stopped in front of was farther back, hidden by a thick copse of trees. The roof was caved in, and a side of the home seemed to be falling into the structure.
The elk all seemed nervous, snorting and panting. A guard’s elk even let out a long bugle and began running back toward the King's Residence when he dismounted. The guard ran after him, but the elk was gone into the winter white streets of Orofine.
Savine hopped off Jari in one beautiful, fluid motion before he helped Avery down.
“Stay by Rue,” he said, drawing his sword at his side. Avery instinctively touched the axe at her side. He didn’t cross the snow up to the house, instead he paused near the trees, having a conversation in mycillious.
Savine frowned, looking back at Avery before he turned to walk over to Garnel and a group of guards.
The twitchy itchies were back, and worse than before. This wasn’t right. Something about this place was very, very wrong.
“I don’t like this, Rue.”
Rue looked at her, frowning. “I know. It’s too quiet. No birds chirping or squirrels rustling. I should be the one to go in. The letter was addressed to me.”
Before Avery could object, Rue shifted into her fox form. She didn’t do it often in front of Avery, but when she did, it always took her by surprise. Rue scampered toward the cottage.
Just then, a fae male stepped out of the cottage. One of the Hunters. It had to be, because they would be the only ones capable of acquiring a stick of dynamite. It was like something from a movie, the man held a match and lit the fuse on the explosive before he dropped it on the ramshackle porch and fled into the woods.
A screeching roar of panic built up in Avery. “Rue! Don’t! SAVINE!”
Avery began running toward Rue, but it was too late. An explosion erupted through the house, blasting wood and debris toward the group. Avery tugged on her magic, saying the words she’d memorized, forming a protective bubble around the folk she loved. She pushed and stretched it, but she couldn’t get Rue into the circle.
