I found a bench in the market where I could py with Cinder while keeping an eye on the library door. It wasn’t long before he reappeared. I watched him walk through the market, chatting with vendors and collecting food. He moved with dignity and grace—much different than the way I had seen him move. In both cases he maintained a certain rigidity that made him really stand out in Itán. Even Saoirse was more casual than that.

  Occasionally he gnced at me, but I don’t think he noticed I was watching him. Eventually he disappeared around the street corner.

  I got up to follow him and hesitated for a moment. I didn’t want to get too close but Itán was so small I didn’t really have much choice. There was the cover of the forest, but I’d probably make too much noise in the brush. I turned the corner and slipped between two houses.

  He stopped in the middle of the street and looked around. Did he have some kind of heightened awareness? I still didn’t really understand the nature of fairy magic. It seems the ones I knew had unique powers. Getting caught spying would do me no favors, so I waited as quiet and patient as I could.

  Not daring to look, I heard some footsteps then a door tch. I risked a peek and saw him enter a house.

  Salva remained in there for at least a couple of hours. Without anything else to do this afternoon, I found a better hiding spot in the woods nearby and staked out the house.

  Finally the white bearded fairy appeared, stepping into the street with caution. He looked from side to side before regaining his rigid dignity and continuing down the street.

  That’s not how someone exits their own house. I stayed to wait and see if anyone else appeared.

  Fortunately, it wasn’t long before an elf with yellow hair came out with a bundle of flower bouquets. She had a round face with faint wrinkles spreading from cheerful eyes. She made for the market, humming a lovely song as she went. A strong contrast to Salva’s wary behavior.

  Once the coast was clear I stepped out of hiding and followed her to a flower stand where she was arranging the bouquets.

  “Oh hello there young Jethro. Come for some flowers?” she said, her voice as warm and cheerful as her smile.

  “Yes, I’d love some,” I said, eyeing the colorful stand. “How about that purple one?” I pointed to a bouquet of vender and another purple flower I didn’t recognize.

  “A lovely choice. I’m sure that fairy of yours will love them.”

  “Thank you, er…”

  “Rúna,” she said, continuing with her work.

  “Pleased to meet you.” I didn’t want to jump right into questioning her about Salva so I spoke of the lovely fall weather and the fast approaching winter. We made small talk until I found an opening.

  “So I heard the stewards are permitting you to study here in Itán. Will you be with us long then?” she asked.

  “I sure hope so,” I said. “I’m having a wonderful time here. I’d like to stay as long as the stewards will allow.”

  “I’m sure they won’t have any reason to limit your time.” She gave me a genuine smile.

  I frowned. “I’m not sure all of them feel that way.”

  “Let me guess, Salva?”

  “Yes actually. He seems to hate me.”

  “Is that why you were spying on him this afternoon?”

  “What?” I was so shocked I didn’t bother to argue. “How did you—Does he know?”

  “He knows someone was watching him. It’s very dangerous to spy on a fairy, but not impossible to get away with. Spying on an elf however.” She pointed at her pointed ear. “That is completely out of the question.”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t mean any harm,” I said, waving my hands. “I just want to get—”

  “Don’t worry young man,” she said, tapping her nose. “Your secret’s safe with me. I can tell you’re not causing any trouble. At least not yet.” She chuckled.

  “Thank you. I just wish I could show him that. It seems like he’s all but going out of his way to get me out of here.”

  “That old bastard’s stubborn as tree roots, but it’s not impossible to win him over,” she said with a satisfied smile. “He’s very protective. Especially of his own kind.”

  “You mean fairies?”

  Rúna nodded slowly, a gentle sadness flickering briefly across her expression. "Salva can be…traditional to a fault. He's seen what can happen when lines are blurred."

  I paused, sensing there was more she wasn't saying. “He must be worried about Lavendu,” I said, testing her reaction.

  “Among other things,” she said softly, eyes distant. “He hasn’t always been so strict, you know. Life can change people, for better or worse.”

  “Are you two close?”

  “We’ve known each other a long time,” Rúna said, a gentle sadness falling over her. I watched her gaze wander off.

  “Do you have a daughter?” I asked.

  Rúna snapped out of her listless expression. She looked confused and shocked, almost appalled.

  “I’m sorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean to pry. It’s just you look a lot like Freydis the librarian.”

  She raised her eyebrows with a smile. “Oh, of course. Freydis is my daughter. You’ve met, I take it? In the library no doubt. She's spent her life hiding behind those books—I worry she'll fade away if she doesn't get some starlight soon. She’s stubborn, fiercely independent, and suspicious of anyone who disrupts her solitude. But honestly, I think deep down she’s longing for a reason to step out of the shadows.” Rúna smiled at me knowingly. “Maybe you could give her one.”

  “I’ll be sure to pester her about it.”

  ***

  Lavendu found me in the garden, petting Cinder. She flew down from the trees above, her iridescent dragonfly wings shimmered in the evening light. This was the first time I had seen her fly. My heart leapt—How could she look even more beautiful?

  She nded at my feet, bowing low on one knee. “Master,” she said, “allow me to introduce Vio. She’s an expert in sexual magic, and my gift to you.”

  A fairy woman with bck moth-like wings flew out of the trees. Her pale legs stood out against the inky bck of her wings and outfit. She wore a short, frilly skirt and a tight, strapless top that fred open around her voluptuous breasts, barely concealing them. A vibrant, purple dust shimmered around her, matching her lips, eyes, and the tips of her jet bck, wavy hair.

  “She has already agreed to submit to you,” Lavendu said as the dark fairy drifted down to us. “All wooing and seduction is already taken care of. All that’s left is to cim her as your own.”

  I smiled, nearly shaking my head in disbelief. Was this really happening? Beautiful women practically falling into my p, seducing each other for my pleasure? The ease was thrilling, yet somewhere deep down, I wondered how long my luck could possibly st. Surely, it couldn't always be this simple.

  “Lavendu,” I whispered, handing her the bouquet. “Excellent work. I’m going to fuck you extra hard tonight.”

  “Thank you, Master.” She beamed at me.

  Vio nded next to Lavendu and bowed low. “I am ready to serve,” she said, her voice low and dripping with sensual innuendo.

  “Look at me,” I ordered.

  Vio looked up with a confident smile. Her half lidded eyes beckoned me—challenged me to conquer her.

  “I’ve been looking forward to meeting the hero from Castletún,” she said.

  I studied her. “I’m going to ask you some questions before I accept you.”

  “Of course.” She bowed her head back down.

  “We’ve never met. Why did you agree to submit to me already?”

  “In three days your renown has captivated the entire valley. You syed a troll single handedly, using magic you didn’t even know you had, let alone practiced. You conquered the hearts of both Saoirse and Lavendu, two of the most elusive and selective among us. As a student of the sensual arts I can offer you guidance on your journey to master your powers, and it’s clear I have a lot to learn from you as well.

  “However, even all that would not be enough to submit to someone I’d never met.” She looked back up at me, eyes glistening. Her vulnerability made her almost look like a different person than the sultry fairy that just nded in front of me. “You risked your life to save my dear Meliss?. And for that I owe you my eternal gratitude and service.”

  “And you and Meliss? are?”

  “Best friends and partners. We run an herbal apothecary together.”

  “I see.” My pyful excitement turned to a warmth in my heart. I cared deeply for her, even though we’ve only exchanged a few words. “What kind of sex magic can you do?”

  “I mostly make potions and salves that stimute libido and can influence one’s desires and one’s chances at finding love.”

  “She’s being modest,” Lavendu interrupted. “Her love potions are remarkable. I’ve had—” she went quiet for a moment. “I’ve seen them work wonders.”

  “Hmm,” I said, stroking my chin. “Stand up. Let’s have a look at you.”

  Vio rose, smiling and blinking at me. She rubbed her thighs together and shifted each shoulder up and down in an enticing dance.

  I held up my finger and spun it around. She obeyed and twirled on the spot, swiveling her hips as she went. I could just barely see her ass under her short, bouncing skirt. Facing me once more, she bit her lip as she squeezed her massive tits together between her arms.

  “Come with me,” I said, turning around with purposeful stoicism. There was no need to wait any longer.

  I led them back to the Silver Stallion. Li gave me a knowing smile and a wink as I made for the stairs, my fairy thralls in tow.

  As we crossed the tavern toward the stairs, I felt eyes on my back—more intensely than usual. When I turned around, the patrons seemed normal enough, but there was a brief rustle of movement from behind the bar. Curious, I shrugged it off for the moment, though I made a note to pay closer attention.

  “After you,” I said, gesturing up the steps.

  Lavendu and Vio smirked at each other and held hands as they ascended. I watched their legs and asses rock back and forth with each step. Vio had absolutely nothing on under her buoyant skirt. It was going to be a good night.

  ***

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