“So, you caused this?” she says, but doesn’t look at me.
“Probably,” I admit. “But it would have happened sooner or later. Something magical would have come along.”
“And fallen through my ceiling by turning into a horse?” my lady says, picking up a stick and poking the fire. “I doubt it.”
“I became my Brag because I sensed something I wanted,” I say, eventually.
“What did you sense?” she asks.
“You.”
HAZEL
Warden’s eyes are unblinking as the fire flickers its light over both of us.
“Warden, I…” I break the tension between us. “I need to get back to my tavern,” I say lamely. “It’s all I know and it’s my job so…” I shake my head. “I can’t do…this.” I motion between the two of us.
“I am as cursed as the Laidly Wyrm.” Warden sighs. “All I get is to be the jailer of the Shadow Keep until such a time as I regain my mortality. I don’t get to take a mate. I don’t get to do anything which any of my ancestors would do because I am immortal.”
“You don’twantto be immortal.”
“It is the worst thing you can do to a Brag. The worst curse imaginable. Our mortality gives us our true power and our true purpose,” Warden says haughtily.
“So, you’re powerful?” I query, somehow both pleased and annoyed the strange spell between us has been broken by the talk of curses. “Turning into a horse.”
Warden grins. “As a mortal monster, I am far more than a creature who canturn into a horse,” he says.
“But immortal, you just turn into a horse.”
“I am a warrior, and I am the jailer of the Shadow Keep,” he growls, straightening. “My immortality makes me good at both. After all, what can a Faerie do to a creature who cannot die?”
The way he speaks pulls at my chest, and I don’t know why. I don’t know why I kissed him. I don’t know why I’m still here with him.
But I am.
“Who took your mortality?” I ask quietly.
“It was tricked from me,” Warden says with some force. “But I will get it back,” he adds with a growl. “Nothing messes with a Brag.”
“Apparently not,” I respond, throwing another log onto the fire, which produces a warmth I am really appreciating as I settle back under the little shelter Warden has made.
It is small, and it begs the question…
“Where are you going to sleep?” I ask.
“In the shelter.”
“Warden, I don’t think there’s enough room for me, let alone you.”
“We can fit,” he says bombastically, also adding a log to the fire. “I might appear big, but I can get into small spaces.”
I look him up and down. There is no way we’re both fitting unless I lie on top of him.
And given our recent kiss, I’m not sure if it’s such a good idea.
“I can stay by the fire,” I suggest. “I’ll be fine.”
“You will not,” Warden growls. “It would appear I got you into this situation, and therefore it is my job to get you out of it.”
