Hex and the City

by Sarina Dorie

  As if he could hide any secrets from me.

  I nudged my way closer to find what he didn’t want me to see. A gash, red and raw in his side, was gouged so deep it exposed a sliver of pulsing organ. I watched in fascination as the muscle contracted, realizing this was his heart I saw through the open wound.

  My instincts compelled me to want to heal him, but I didn’t want this to be like Vega when I had hurt her as much as I had helped her. I had learned from my mistakes. I felt powerful enough in this form that I could do anything, but I forced myself to proceed cautiously. Instead of charging forward without a care, I investigated slowly. I brushed my snout next to the scarred scales beside the wound, careful not to touch the place that would hurt him most.

  He kept flinching back, his past surely making it difficult for him to trust anyone enough to bare this much of himself without it resulting in further heartache. I pitied those dark clouds of gloom that clung to his soul. More than anything, I wanted to make him better.

  From deep inside me, I projected love and healing into him. Magic washed over his scales, rainbow gems of light soaking into him. He moaned, the low rumble like a whale song echoing through my bones. At first I feared I had hurt him and jerked back. As he continued, I sensed the wordless meaning in his voice. With that one note, he expressed relief. The sorrow and pining inside him purged itself from his skin, gathering like droplets of dew before evaporating into space.

  It might have been my imagination, but the gash in his side looked smaller, though a sliver of his heart remained exposed.

  The vision melted away. Thatch shifted beside me, his skin slick against mine. He rolled off me and pulled me close so that my head rested on his chest. “How do you feel? Do you still need me to touch you?”

  “I don’t know,” I said. At least I had a voice.

  The only way to test whether I was cured was to pull away and see if I could still move on my own, but I didn’t want to. I craved the comfort of his arms around me, to stay in this moment a little longer. I fell asleep in his embrace.

  I woke at the sound of Elric’s voice. Thatch stirred beside me. He sat up as Elric entered the room, a servant carrying a tray of tea behind him. I pulled the sheet up to my chest, not particularly fond of the idea of Elric or the maid catching an eyeful. My embarrassment at being caught naked after sex was only worsened when I realized the maid was Tiffany, a graduate of Womby’s, now working in Elric’s employment.

  Tiffany’s eyes momentarily went wide before sinking down to the tray she carried.

  Elric couldn’t have planned on a more embarrassing entrance. Then again, perhaps he had planned this.

  “Good morning,” Elric said cheerily. “How are you, Clarissa? Do you feel cured of your curse?”

  I drew back a little more, trying to hide in the shadows of the lichen curtains, but it was no use. Tiffany was trying not to giggle. This was bound to be juicy gossip, two teachers from her former school in bed together.

  In all the other times we’d been seen together, Thatch had drawn away. Even in front of my fairy godmother where there was no risk of the Raven Court seeing, or staff members who might fire us, he was reluctant to publicly show affection for me. I didn’t expect this to be any different.

  Thatch adjusted the blankets over his waist more modestly and draped an arm around me. A little smile laced his lips as he gazed at me. I stared at him in wonder. I thought of the vision I’d had of us as dragons. Had something in him healed?

  The maid set the tea and covered plates at the table by the window, sneaking glances at us. Thatch didn’t even look at her. A flutter of joy stirred inside me. “I’m great. How is everyone else? Are Josie and Pinky all right?”

  “They’re fine. I’ve sent them back to the school in a carriage.” Elric sat at the foot of the bed. “I’ve gotten a confession from Princess Quenylda, explaining all the ways she’s tried to sabotage my happiness and prosperity. She fully admitted to coercing Vega to do her bidding, trying to kill Vega when she thought she’d crossed her. Did she tell you?”

  I nodded. “She told me she won’t stand for you siring half-breed heirs. That’s why she’s killed your children. It’s why she’ll keep killing any offspring you continue to have.” I glanced at the maid. I didn’t dare bring up Vega’s pregnancy or Imani being a Red affinity in case Tiffany repeated it, and Quenylda found out.

  Elric momentarily paled before gaining control of himself. “I won’t stand for that kind of behavior in my household.”

  Thatch pursed his lips. “Indeed. And how do you propose to stop your wife in the future? Or will you just allow her to kill Clarissa?”

  Elric placed his fists on his hips. “You truly are insufferable. You act as though I might dismiss Quenylda’s behavior as inconsequential. I will have you know I sent a message to my father, the king, and explained the situation at length. He has finally come to understand the seriousness of my predicament and has agreed not to allow any more Fae meddling in my personal affairs.”

  Thatch snorted as if he didn’t believe him.

  Elric went on breezily, ignoring Thatch’s doubt. “The King of the Silver Court sent for Quenylda last night. She is under house arrest in his castle until the time she can be tried for her past and present crimes.”

  I wasn’t sure if King Viridios would execute his daughter for crimes against Witchkin—or even his own son. I was as skeptical as Thatch.

  Elric lifted his chin, his smile smug. “I know my father is on my side in this matter. He has granted my request for a divorce.”

  “Vega will get you all to herself?” I asked, uncertain whether I should be happy for them or not. I still doubted he loved her.

  “Not completely to herself. She’s met Constance and understands I am obligated to care for her. Vega and I have come to an understanding.”

  I respected Elric for not abandoning his now elderly and senile wife.

  Elric chuckled. “For the first time ever, I don’t have to worry about my sister interfering in my marriage.”

  His sister-wife. Only incestuous Fae would have such problems.

  “Congratulations,” I said.

  Elric’s gaze settled on Thatch. “And now that Clarissa and Vega are both safe from danger, and Quenylda is out of the way, I can focus on other matters.” From the cunning glint in his eyes, I had a suspicion where this might be going. “Someone owes me a boon, Mr. Thatch.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Fae Bargains

  I had known it would only be a matter of time before Elric came to collect his debt. I had hoped he would ask the favor from me rather than Thatch because anything he asked of me would be less unpleasant.

  Before Thatch could speak, I did. “He summoned you to save my life. If I had been coherent, I would have done it myself. I’m the one who owes you the favor.”

  Elric wagged a finger at me in admonishment. “You know how this works. The boon is to be given by the one who did the asking.”

  The maid in the background stood in the corner, taking this all in.

  Thatch pointed to Tiffany. “Haven’t you any other work to oversee?”

  Her eyes went wide. She curtsied to Elric and left. Even now in the house of powerful Fae masters and the dangers of this realm, there was nothing like a former teacher who had given out detentions to be the scary monster.

  “What do I owe you?” Thatch asked, his voice an unenthusiastic monotone.

  Elric crossed over to the table and seated himself. “I have been considering that. What would most irritate the perfect Mr. Thatch? What would benefit me most?” The haughtiness of his expression softened slightly as he gazed at me. “What would be equal to the weight of the gift I gave you?”

  “Elric,” I said. “Please don’t ask for something horrible.”

  “I considered asking you to leave Clarissa’s presence and to never set sight on her again.”

  “No!” I said, nearly leaping out of the be
d. The only thing that stopped me were the blankets. And my nudity.

  Elric held up a hand. “I considered it. I didn’t say it was what I settled on. Ultimately, I decided that would be too cruel to Clarissa. And as one of my loyal subjects and allies of my court, I don’t make it a habit of rewarding those I care about with something that will make them miserable.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief. Thatch circled an arm around me, though his muscles were so tense I doubt he felt any comfort in Elric’s words. It took me a moment to realize in the time he hadn’t been touching me, I hadn’t felt any indication I might relapse into my curse. I was free and normal once again. My touch magic had saved me.

  Our touch magic.

  Elric leaned forward, his tone teasing. “I considered turning you into a frog, Mr. Thatch, something I felt would be an appropriate match for your personality.”

  “That isn’t a favor,” Thatch said. “It’s more of a fairy-tale punishment.”

  “Indeed. And haven’t I a right to punish you? If you had properly taken care of Clarissa in the first place, you wouldn’t have resorted to using the amulet in the first place.”

  “Ugh! That is so chauvinistic,” I said. “It isn’t his job to take care of me.”

  Elric continued, “If you truly cared for Clarissa and had watched out for her, you might have been better able to ensure no harm came to her.”

  Thatch lifted his chin. “Had you done a better job minding your sister-wife, you might have realized your negligence put both Clarissa and Vega in danger. Furthermore, Imani is also at risk and any family she should wish to start someday.”

  I elbowed Thatch and would have done the same to Elric if he had been closer. “Would you two both stop fighting?”

  “Of course,” Elric said with a placating smile. “Anything for you, Clarissa.”

  Thatch said nothing.

  Elric fiddled with the mother-of-pearl buttons on his jacket. “I will make the request for a boon that is in my best interest.”

  A request? Not an order?

  He cleared his throat and glanced away. “It was . . . Vega’s idea.”

  Dread settled into my stomach like a lead brick. I hugged my arms around my knees. Whatever this was, it wasn’t going to be good. Except for Vega.

  Elric gave a sheepish smile. “It would be in my best interest for my attention to not be divided so greatly between my new family and that of other distractions.”

  “New family?” I repeated. He was speaking of Vega’s pregnancy.

  “My bride-to-be and my, ahem. . . .” Elric lifted his chin, trying to project confidence and matter-of-factness, though he fell far from the mark. “I meant to tell you after Vega and I married. I didn’t want to tell you this way, Clarissa.”

  I glanced at Thatch. His eyebrows drew together in obvious confusion. He had no idea.

  “Your heir?” I asked.

  He gave a curt nod. “You know, then. That’s a relief.”

  “Do you mean to say you’ve gotten Vega with child?” Thatch asked.

  Elric puffed himself up. “Indeed.”

  “You’re Fae.” Indignation rose in Thatch’s tone. “How did you manage to sire a child? What kind of dark magic did you use?”

  Elric shrugged, a smile lacing his lips. “One might call my method ‘the good old-fashioned way.’ I hardly think that constitutes dark magic.”

  I laughed. How wonderful for Vega and Elric! It was what they both wanted.

  Thatch drew away from me, scooting to the edge of the bed, though he didn’t leave the modesty of the covers. “You’re infertile. It’s impossible for Fae to have children.”

  “As a matter of fact, I am not infertile, nor is it impossible.” Elric’s gaze flickered to mine.

  I had never told Thatch. Vega must have told Elric that Thatch would have stopped us. Even now Elric protected my secrets. It was in his best interest to do so.

  After all, I was the one who had fed Vega with my magic.

  Thatch shook his head. “Surely you aren’t the father. It must be some Witchkin. She’s tricked you into believing what you want to hear.”

  Elric’s lips pressed into a severe line, and his eyes narrowed. I’d seen that loathing cross his expression before—just before they’d fought in a duel. Not only had Thatch insulted Elric’s virility, but he’d also questioned Vega’s virtue and honor.

  “Elric is the father,” I said, before they could kill each other. “They solved the Fae Fertility Paradox.” I knew it was going to take more than that. I was going to have to tell the truth. Just when I thought everything was perfect between us, I was about to risk losing it.

  “We solved it together.” I watched shock wash over Thatch’s face. “I turned Vega into a Red affinity.”

  Elric tilted his head toward me in acknowledgment. “You have solved my problem and have given me an heir. Therefore, you are free of all past debt.”

  “The favor Thatch owes you. . . . It’s something for your future wife and unborn child?” I asked, getting at the task at hand. “You do realize, I was the one who made that possible for you. I didn’t just solve the Fae Fertility Paradox, but I gave you a wife. That’s more than what you asked for. If we’re going to be asking for boons from Thatch, you owe me just as much as Thatch owes you.” It was a stretch. Giving Elric a wife who was a Red affinity who might love him and provide him with additional heirs might not be the same as saving a life.

  Thatch leaned back against the headboard, speechless. Not often did I see such a dumbfounded expression on his face.

  “That’s exactly what I had in mind,” Elric said, a spark of joy returning to his eyes. “I wish to ask for something that will benefit both you and my family.”

  He looked to Thatch. “Though I don’t agree with Clarissa’s selection in domestic partners, I will respect her choice if she wishes to be with you. In order to ensure Clarissa’s future safety and happiness, you must take a vow to become Clarissa’s champion and protector so that I can more fully look after my own family.”

  Elric looked to me. “Not that we can’t be friends anymore, but I truly must focus on my other duties . . . if you don’t mind.” The worry in his eyes told me he feared I might be hurt by the suggestion.

  I found his concern to be sweet and touching. His solution was so selfless. I wanted to thank him, but I couldn’t. Not with words. I would have hugged him if I’d been clothed.

  I offered him a smile. “That truly is generous of you.”

  He sighed in relief and looked to Thatch. “What do you say to this, old chap?”

  Thatch’s lips pressed into a line. “You wish me to . . . take a vow?” He couldn’t have sounded less enthusiastic.

  Elric nodded.

  Thatch looked from me to Elric. “I think I should like a moment to speak with Miss Lawrence alone.”

  Ugh. We were back to formal names again. What had I done this time?

  Elric looked to me for confirmation, as if he doubted leaving me alone with Thatch would be a good idea. I nodded, and he left.

  Thatch drummed his fingers against the nightstand, his eyes distant. I opened my mouth to speak, but he held up a hand to stop me. He kept on thinking. Maybe he was searching this bargain for loopholes, for traps.

  Or perhaps this entire bargain felt like a trap for him. He had said he deserved a sabbatical. He wanted to leave the school. What if he still didn’t want to be with me? He might love me enough to have sex with me to break my curse, but that didn’t mean he wanted to be tied to me in a Fae contract for all of time.

  “I’m sorry,” I said. “I don’t want to force you into something, but I—”

  “Please, stop.” He closed his eyes and leaned back his head against the wood headboard.

  I threw up my hands in exasperation. Did he have to ruin my happy ending with his gloom? I crawled over him and retrieved my chemise from the floor. I dressed and selected a Morty-made packet of jam from the
tray and spread it on a roll I tore out of a plastic wrapper. I knew the food was safe because everything was prepackaged and sealed in packaging that weakened Fae, attesting to their origin in the Morty Realm. Thatch remained in bed, perfectly still, deep in meditation. The longer he remained silent, the more my irritation rose.

  “I’ve concluded it isn’t a good bargain,” Thatch said at last.

  “Oh, have you?” I tore into my second roll.

  “Indeed.” His tone was grave. “I’ve already promised to protect you and care for you. I made that promise to your mother. To make the same promise again, even if it’s to someone else, will change nothing and bring no one any benefit. For this to be a valid negotiation, I must make a greater sacrifice. I have vowed to keep you safe, but I’ve never vowed to keep you happy.” He held out a hand to me, but I didn’t want to join him.

  His words filled me with foreboding. Had he sounded a hint more eager, rather than so grave, I might have taken that as something to look forward to. Instead, all I could focus on was the impending doom in his words.

  “A sacrifice?” I said. “I don’t want a sacrifice. I want someone who wants to want me.”

  He nodded. “I’ve always wanted that for you as well. That’s why I wanted you to be with Derrick. It’s why I wanted Elric to make you happy . . . even if I despise him.”

  I shook my head at him. “Please don’t do this to me again.” I could only tolerate him breaking up with me so many times. “I can’t keep doing this with you.”

  Already I could feel my heart breaking. Tears filled my eyes. For a couple of hours I had been in paradise, dreaming everything had been healed between us. I had allowed myself to imagine he and I would be together.

  He slid out of the bed, strolling toward me, his nudity not bothering him. He took me by the shoulders, the storm of his eyes intense as he stared into mine. “What is it you’re afraid I’m going to do?”

  My breath hitched in my chest. “I don’t know. Push me away? Tell me to toughen up? Give me some pragmatic solution so you can go off on your sabbatical?”