“Your shift?” Phineas sat up. “Do I need to get you home?”
She shook her head as her body shimmered and changed before him. “Just hold me close.”
He nodded as she transformed into a beautiful silvery unicorn. She was tiny, much smaller than a horse, no bigger than a Great Dane. She looked at him, but didn’t startle, resting her head on his lap instead.
“Hold me,” she murmured.
Phineas wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.
It was then the door burst open. Pearl startled and cried and Phineas’ ridges stood on end as he jumped up, standing in front of her. He bared his fangs and hissed.
“It’s just me,” Finn said, flicking on the light. His eyes landed on Pearl. “I came here because we got her note and it’s a full moon.”
“She’s safe here,” Phineas stated, his fins still raised.
A smile crossed Finn’s face. “Clearly, she is. She’s found her mate.”
“Yes,” Pearl whispered. “I’m fine.”
Finn nodded. “I will let Mom and Margaid know.”
“Thank you,” Pearl said.
Finn stared at Phineas. “You keep her safe.”
“I will. With my life.”
Finn nodded and left. Phineas locked the door and then shut off the light. He returned to the bed and Pearl. Still in her unicorn form, she curled up against him. He ran his hands over her fur.
“I love you,” she whispered in an echoey, mystical voice.
“I love you too. Rest now. You are safe, my mate.”
It wasthe first time that Pearl had ever woken up after a full moon cycle not in her bed or locked away. When she opened her eyes, she remembered that she was in Phineas’ bed.
His arm was wrapped around her. And she was naked. Her body was sore from the transformation and her first time, but it was a good ache, a satisfied one.
She curled up to him, running her fingers lightly over his frills and scales, and he opened one of his big yellow eyes and smiled.
“Morning.”
“Good morning,” she said. “I transformed, didn’t I?”
“You did. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in your unicorn state. You’re beautiful by the way.”
“Thank you for protecting me.” She snuggled in closer.
“Always. I wasn’t sure that I could or if I had the confidence to, but I know now I do. You give me that strength.”
Pearl kissed him softly on the lips. “Where do we go from here?”
Phineas grinned deviously. “Well…”
She giggled. “I mean, what happens in the fall when I go back to school? I still want to become a nurse and eventually become a nurse practitioner and a midwife. It’s going to be a lot of schooling, a lot of years that I’m away.”
“I know,” Phineas said. “You have to do it, and I’ll be here, waiting.”
“You will?”
