By Fairy Means or Foul: A Starfig Investigations Novel(57)

“We okay?” he asked, a crooked grin on his face.

“I guess being a wizard and familiar could have certain advantages.”

“Mmhmm.” He idly traced my new markings, the scale-like displays covering a large portion of my body in intricate designs. I hadn’t taken the time to look the markings over, but I had to admit, they were striking. Pride filled me. I was a real dragon.

“You were always a real dragon.”

“Didn’t realize you’d turned our thoughts back on.”

“I didn’t.”

“Oh.” I ran my hands down Quinn’s back, exploring the texture and resilience of his skin. He sighed as I kneaded sore muscles.

“If you keep that up, we won’t get any sleep tonight.”

Tempting to make a lewd quip, though I held back. Time to change gears. “Are you afraid I’ll hurt you?”

“Huh?” Quinn pushed up on my chest so he could see me better. “Where did that come from? Why would you ask that?”

“I just felt your fear when I neared your neck. You seemed to want me to mate you when we started and then it changed. Did I do something to scare you? I know my dragon can be a little overwhelming—”

His hand covered my mouth.

“No, Twig. Nothing like that. I’m not afraid of you. I know you wouldn’t hurt me.”

I nipped his palm playfully and he jerked it back.

“Then what? I don’t want to do anything to scare you.”

“I-I wasn’t scared. Not of that. It’s just . . . at first you wavered, and I didn’t want you to have any regrets. Then when we got into things . . . look, I don’t know what’s going to happen with us and when I thought about being mated and giving Brandsome control over both of us . . . Twig, he owns me. I don’t want him to own you too.”

“So, it wasn’t that you don’t want to be mated to me?” If that came out more timid than I meant, well, it wasn’t every day I considered mating someone only to have them hesitate.

He clasped my cheeks between his hands. “I’d be thrilled to belong to you. It’s just . . . I’m not really free, am I?”

“You will be, Quinn. I plan to buy you from Brandsome. Besides, we’re already wizard and familiar. I won’t be able to stay away.”

His face clouded over, then cleared. “I’m going to look in my books and see if there’s a way we can modify the bond. I’m sure I can do something. But a mating is different, right? There’s no way to change that unless one of us dies. Or is that not the way it works?”

“No, it’s definitely how it works.”

“Then, I think it’s better we wait. I’ll figure out a way so that if things go wrong, you won’t be compelled to be with me all the time. Brandsome never needs to know we’re wizard and familiar. We’ll hide it.”

“You think that’s possible?”

“I think so.” He smiled. “In fact, I’m sure of it.”





20





I rummaged around in my pack, trying to be quiet so Quinn wouldn’t wake. I pulled out an invocation stone. Perfect. Now, I just needed to set it up. I placed the stone on the sofa, climbed up and began speaking in low tones. A moment later the stone sent up a soft glow.

My father would probably keep me waiting. That was okay. I could use the time to pull myself together. Yesterday had upended my world. I was irrevocably linked to a wizard, I’d come close to mating him, and we still hadn’t retrieved the damn unicorn horn. Yet, for all of that, I was surprisingly . . . content. Last night had been amazing, my dragon and fairy sides both sated. I don’t think that ever happened before. Certainly not at this level of intensity.

Because I wanted my father to take his time, naturally he didn’t. The stone glowed a muted white and his image appeared hovering over the stone.

“Good morning, son. Dare I ask what brings you to contact me?” His expression was guarded. Couldn’t blame the guy. I did my best to pretend I didn’t have a sire most of the time. Our conversations were never easy and left both of us frustrated. Simpler not to talk. Though he clearly didn’t feel that way since he made every effort to keep tabs on me and then let me know how I fucked things up.

“Don’t you know?” I joked. Totally fell flat, his raised eyebrow speaking louder than words.

“I’m receiving reports of a change in the Rottingvale Quagmire—flowers, trees, and other things growing in it. Assuming that means Sahara Burningwood has been . . . dealt with.” He held up a hand. “No, don’t tell me. Better I don’t know.”

“I’m not calling about that.”

“Of course not.” He shook his head, his downturned mouth speaking louder than his words. Then he squinted, cocked his head to the side. “Something’s different.”

Naturally, even in hologram form, he would recognize the most minute details. I really didn’t want to go into it with him.

“You’ve shifted?” His eyes widened almost comically. “I’d heard whispers of a dragon in the East, but I didn’t believe. . . . Should have known.”

My cheeks warmed.

“I like to think it’s a good thing, Dad.”