“He likes oats better.” Odette giggled and poked Theo on the nose, while he blushed.
“I didn’t know alicorn shifters could digest roughage,” I said.
“Alicorns are mostly vegetarians,” Theo said. “You won’t find any restaurants that serve meat in our village.”
Looking back, I realized I’d never seen Theo eat anything from the cafeteria that wasn’t a vegetable. Odette was more or less the same way— though she had a weak spot for crab legs.
The alicorn village felt so pure and wholesome. There was a lovely golden fountain in the square that bubbled and fizzed with a pink liquid. When I passed it, the liquid smelled sweet. An alicorn stood by it, stirring the fountain with his horn. Sorceresses who walked by took flasks out of their purses and drank from the fountain as the liquid sparkled.
“Here, have some,” Odette said when she saw me looking. She conjured up the illusion of a champagne glass, and dunked it into the fountain.
When she saw me make a face, she said, “It’s sanitary. The magic prevents any viruses or bad stuff from getting in, promise.”
I sure hoped so. I took a sip, and realized the fountain was full of pink champagne. It tasted like apples. My wings came out of their own accord and fluttered as I drank. A slight buzz settled over my body, making me feel frisky. “What is this illusion? It’s good.”
“It’s for luck,” Odette explained. “If bad things are coming your way, the lucky champagne will do what it can to protect you from it— though it doesn’t last long. A few hours, at most.”
I needed the whole damn fountain. “If it’s that lucky, why don’t fae drink from it all the time, for battles and exams and things like that?”
“It’s very addicting,” Theo explained. “And the luck runs out if you drink it every day. The potion is meant to work like that, so you don’t form a habit. Once every now and then is more than enough.”
Two alicorn foals were grazing on the grass outside of a sweet shop, and a delicious smell wafted from within. Theo ducked in for a moment. When he emerged, he was carrying two cupcakes. One was bright pink with rose frosting and sprinkles, while the other was a light blue with a small dusting of powdered sugar on the top. They were nearly too pretty to eat. Theo gave the pink one to Odette, and the blue one to me. “I know these are your favorite,” he said to Odette.
She gasped dramatically. “How did you know?!”
“I pay attention.” He smiled.
Odette went to take a bite, before she frowned. “Igor says I shouldn’t eat things like this.”
Theo’s expression momentarily flared. “Well, Igor’s dumb. Enjoy yourself.”
Odette paused, then she dug in. She took a huge bite of her cupcake and smeared the frosting all over her nose. Theo cleaned it off with his thumb, then sucked the frosting off while Odette giggled.
I ate my cupcake and tried not to gloat. These two were so cute together. I wished Odette could see the light when it came to Theo. They were obviously meant to be.
We walked the twisting road until the village changed into a subdivision. Here were the cutest little cottages, surrounded by white fences and big pastures. Theo opened the gate to a white stone cottage, with a black roof covered in ivy. It almost looked like a stable more than a home.
“This is my parents’ house,” he explained. “I hope my brother’s here.”
“I live right there.” Odette pointed to a pink cottage next door, then frowned. “But… my mom doesn’t want to see me right now, so it’s fine if we don’t visit.”
Theo’s frown sank lower. I did my best to reign in my big mouth and not make a sarcastic comment. Odette’s mom was just mean.
Theo’s cottage was warm and full of light. The kitchen and living room were small and cozy, connected together in an open concept. A scented candle burned the scents of fall, and there was cider slowly cooking on the stove. Smells of cinnamon and pumpkin swarmed through the air. The furniture was white and new, with plaid blankets draped over the backs of the chairs that surrounded the kitchen table. Horseshoes hung on the walls, along with pictures of barns and paintings of alicorns. Horse bits and old saddles were worked into the decor. It had the aesthetic of an old farmhouse, with pumpkins stacked on top of a hay bale in the corner.
“My parents are fae archaeologists,” Theo explained. “They’re at a dig site today, so they’re probably not home.”
I heard loud footsteps coming from the staircase. A gigantic alicorn shifter with short-cut blond hair and muscles the size of battering rams came charging in. He looked like a football player. By his features, I knew he had to be Theo’s brother.
“Theodore!” he boomed. “How’s it going, little bro?”
“It’s fine, Gus,” Theo said tiredly. He groaned as Gus stampeded over to him and picked him up, crushing him to his chest.
Theo looked so scrawny and thin compared to his brother. They were total opposites. When Gus put Theo down, he was gasping for breath.
Gus reached out to Odette, who threw her arms out wide. “Did you miss me?” she asked.
“I always miss my little sis,” he said, giving her a side-hug that was much gentler than the one he gave Theo. Gus’ eyes sparkled when he looked at me. “You’ve gotta be Emma. Odette loves to talk about you.”
