Page 19 of The Little Shop of Curiosities Cursed Object 1, The Music Box

“Well, that’s…slightly terrifying. I take it I’m not actually looking for a girl literally on fire.”

Her mouth curves. “You will know her when you meet her.”

My breath rushes out in a frustrated exhale. “I have so many questions. About my birth mother, about her family. The building where she lives. The things I’ve seen lately. My abilities⁠—”

She chuckles. “Like all mortals, you are impatient. The answers will come in time.”

“Can’t you just give me the answers or at least some of them?”

“No. I could. But I won’t.”

“Why?” I scowl.

“Because it is the journey that is important. I could tell you what you want to know, but you wouldn’t understand. Not really. You have to experience it and trust that the answers will reveal themselves at the right moment.”

“That’s not fair,” I huff sulkily.

“So your kind are so fond of saying, but fair and worthwhile are rarely comfortable bedfellows.” She smiles at me softly. “Harrison, your path lies at your feet. You have only to step forward.”

“Like Dorothy and the Yellow Brick Road, I suppose. Only I’m the witch. Maybe I should look out for falling houses.”

“Your kind really is very curious.” She tilts her head as she studies me. Suddenly, she looks up at the sky above us in the clearing.

I watch as time seems to speed up. Like a time-lapse video, the sun travels across the sky, the clouds racing along with it, and the sky darkens. Stars begin to appear, twinkling like fairy lights.

“Come,” Diana says firmly, and turns towards the tree line.

“Where are we going?” I ask as I obediently follow her out of the clearing and deeper into the forest.

“There is someone who wants to meet you, and we don’t have much time left,” she says.

As we make our way through the trees, I can hear owls hooting and small creatures rustling in the undergrowth. Nearby is the musical rush of water tumbling over rocks, and soon enough, a stream comes into view.

Diana stops and I halt beside her. Shafts of moonlight filter through the canopy of trees and make the water sparkle. I suck in a sharp breath as I see an enormous stag grazing at the edge of the stream. He’s stunning, far taller than any horse I’ve ever seen, his coat pure, unblemished white, not so much as a smear of mud or a stray twig attached. From his head protrude two magnificent silver antlers.

I watch mesmerised as he laps gently at the water, drinking his fill. Then, as if sensing our presence, he lifts his head and turns his gaze to us. His huge liquid eyes are a golden brown swirling with flecks of amber.

He steps in our direction, and as he moves, the air around him seems to shimmer. I blink and the stag is suddenly gone. In his place is a man. A gorgeous and very naked man.

I swallow tightly as he continues his unhurried pace towards us. He’s tall, his body slender, all lean muscles and pale skin. His hair is long and pure white, spilling down his back and reaching the backs of his powerful thighs. From his head protrude two huge, graceful silver antlers.

My whole body flushes hot at the sight of him, and I avert my eyes, trying not to stare at his large cock and the heavy balls swinging between his legs as he walks. My cheeks burn as he reaches us.

For several long seconds, he remains silent, and I can feel his gaze boring into the side of my face. Finally, I give in and look at him, making sure to keep my gaze at eye level. He is studying me intently. Suddenly, he lifts a hand, and with one finger, he moves a lock of my bright red hair from my forehead and then traces the curve of my flushed cheek.

“He is a pretty colour for a human,” he mutters, and his voice is as gorgeous as the rest of him, deep and sexy. “Is he one of them?”

“He is, my love,” Diana replies.

The look they share is intimate, one of lovers, and I try not to think the words lucky bitch just in case either of them can read minds. Last thing I want to do is insult a goddess and a⁠—

I suck in a sharp breath as I realise who he is.

“You’re Herne,” I blurt out.

He turns those liquid eyes back to me, a hint of amusement playing on his lush lips.

“Hmm,” he says after a while. “Yes, I think he shall be adequate.”