Page 48 of Rubbing One Out

The Lady Mage shook her head. “Nothing that would concern you. Purely a favour owed.” She poured another glass of lemon water for them, then sat down on her stool with a teasing smile. “I suppose you wish to know the result of my conversation with the Lord and Lady?”

“Oh yes, please,” Dae said fervently. His heart was in his mouth as he waited.

The Lady took a sip of her drink. “It was easier than expected,” she stated.

Dae’s spirits rose at those words.

“As I mentioned to you before, they see remaining on Earth as more of a punishment than being in Calado’r, where you have access to magic, wealth, and everything else that makes it the wonderful place it is.” She gave an unladylike snort. “They also feel your desire to be human is a fate worse than death. They cannot imagine anyone willing to give up their magic and their Fae life for one of mundane human existence.” She cocked her head and regarded Dae with narrowed eyes. “The final sweetener is of course that, as a human, you’ll never be able to set eyes on Aether again or tempt him when you are released from the lamp.” She hesitated. “He is to be married to young Lady Annabelle next week. They have been courting for a long time and the Lord and Lady are anxious for grandchildren.”

“Oh,” Dae said faintly. “How nice for them.” Strangely enough, the news made his chest ache only a teensy bit, but not like it would do if he were told he wasn’t able to go back to Ben. Then his heart would explode and the fragments would be scattered far and wide.

“My Lady, you still haven’t given the news I want.” Dae stood. “Am I to be allowed to go back to Ben as human?”

He held his breath.

Lady Mage Elicia’s eyes crinkled with satisfaction. “Not only are you going back as a human, my dear, but I also persuaded them to leave you with a little bit of your magic so you can visit your family.”

Dae’s legs gave out beneath him and he slumped to the floor on his knees, the overwhelming relief he felt sending a jolt of sheer joy through his body. “Oh, by Beza’s Beard,” he breathed, “That is incredible news, My Lady. How can I ever thank you enough for all you’ve done for us?” Hot tears trickled down his cheeks, but they were tears of happiness. “I can’t even begin to tell you how grateful I am.”

The Lady Mage stood and enfolded him a hug. “You deserve this,” she murmured. “You were wrongly done by five years ago, and have been noble, and sacrificed much with grace. That I could do this for you makes me content.” She released him and handed him a lace hanky to wipe his eyes. “However, there is a caveat to your visits to your family, I’m afraid. You can only come back once in a human year to see them. I was unable to get any further concession from the Lord and Lady.”

Dae nodded. He’d take it. “I don’t know what to say. I understand the condition and of course, I accept it.”

She grinned slyly. “Be careful with that magic, little one. Try not to waste it on conjuring ghosts in haunted train rides, and making your poor lover think he is crazy when the animals engage him in conversation.” She laughed, a sound like bells tinkling.

Dae’s jaw dropped. How the hell does she know about that?

The Lady Mage winked at him and placed a finger on his chin, closing his mouth. “I know everything, sweet man. Now, close your eyes and I’ll send you back to him. He must be missing you dreadfully.”

Dae clasped her hand, his heart swelling with emotion. “My Lady—”

She silenced him with a finger on his lips. “Hush. You are welcome. I shall still be watching you, Daeliel Jadu Alario. You will always be in my heart. Close your eyes.”

Dae did as he was bid.

***

“Hey, Ben, where do you want the rest of this meat?” Hemmy appeared round the corner of Ben’s garden bearing a large tray of raw meat, set out with spice jars on the side.

Ben, busy at the gas grill with the chicken, motioned to the cloth-covered table to his right. “Pop it down there, will you? This is almost done. Then I’ll put it in the oven to keep warm.” He wiped his hands on his BBQ apron, one Dae had bought him with a dishy naked man on it, hands strategically placed over the groin.

God, I wish Dae was here. He’d love this. A warm spring day with all our friends around. Where are you, baby? I miss you.

Truth was, he’d begun to doubt Dae would ever come back. It had now been nine days since he’d disappeared, and every morning Ben woke alone, hope dwindled.

Hemmy set the tray down and sauntered over to Ben, two beers in his hands. He handed one over. “Here you go, I noticed you were dry.” He watched as Ben expertly turned the chicken to crisp the skin. “You heard from Dan?”

Ben shook his head. “Yeah, he’s good. Still sorting things out up there. Hopefully, he’ll be home soon.” He took the chicken off the grill and slid it onto a clean plate. “That can go inside. I’ll put the rest of the meat on to cook.”

“Hey, Ben, can you be the voice of reason please?” Hazel and her newest partner appeared at Ben’s side. “Raj is telling me to use creme fraiche in my beef stroganoff and I still think there’s nothing better than proper cream. I know you’ve made this dish before, what do you think?”

Ben shrugged. “I prefer to use sour cream because it’s not as calorific as creme fraiche. It’s a personal thing, so you’re both right unless you’re watching your weight.” He grinned. “Which you always seem to be doing, Haze. I don’t know why. You’re perfect as you are.” He slid another piece of steak onto the grill and watched in pleasure as it sizzled and spat.

Hazel preened. “Aww, you say the sweetest things.”

Raj chuckled and put his arm around her. “I tell you the same thing and you tell me I’m a liar? He says it and you call him sweet?”

Ben prodded Raj with his spatula. “Welcome to relationship wiles, my friend.”