Page 74 of Boy of Chaotic Making

Not long,sounded a voice notably feminine. Merritt turned to see a doe step out from amidst the trees, limber legs carefully picking their way over the uneven ground.I’m glad you came out to see us, Merritt. I’d thought to send Fallon to fetch you so we could speak.

It took Merritt a moment to recognize the animal. “Morning, Morgance.”

The deer seemed to smile.

“How is he faring?” Sean asked, looking the way the children had gone.

“Good. Better, certainly. We’ve another five days or so with the Leiningens.” Based off the original fortnight that had been proposed. Hulda might return sooner, if work demanded it. She was still a bit restless over that telegram from Myra, but she wanted to squeeze out as much augury workshopping as she could while she was here.

So soon.It was more a statement than a question.

Sean leaned over and rinsed off his hands in a bucket, then dried them on his slacks as he stood. “We’ve been chatting about that. Here.” He moved closer to Morgance, to a leather satchel propped up against a tree trunk. It was almost camouflaged there, something Merritt imagined was intentional. “We prefer pigeons,” he explained as he dug around in it, “but I imagine you don’t want to take care of a bird while you’re here.” He pulled out a stone and crossed to Merritt, handing it to him. It was long and cylindrical, selenite.

“A communion stone?” Merritt asked.

“I have a friend not far from here who can enchant them. If you cross the Atlantic, neither this nor a pigeon will be able to reach us here. But while you’re here, and if you do extend your stay, that will be able to reach us.”

“I don’t know how long we’d extend, if we could.” Merritt turned the selenite over in his hands. “These are expensive. Should I return it before we go?”

“Keep it.”

Is Owein not staying on?

Merritt was unsure how much Morgance knew. She’d said the royal family weren’t the only ones with eyes and ears. “No, he’ll be returning with me and Hulda. For now.”

“You don’thaveto return.”

Merritt met the taller man’s eyes. “Pardon?”

Somewhere beyond a copse of trees, Owein barked and Kegan shrieked with delight.

“You’re welcome to come back to Ireland with us,” Sean continued. “You’ve Druidic skill; you’d be accepted among our folk. Owein as well.”

Merritt gaped for a moment. “I ...”

Let go of the material world, Merritt,Morgance said, coming closer.The British will always have their nobility, but our kind is dwindling. We don’t want to lose the ways of our ancestors. Soon enough, there will be none of us left.

“It’s a good life,” Sean offered. “Simple, and without some of the amenities you may be used to, but they’re good folk. We could teach you to hone your abilities better. And Owein. We’ve none with his spellwork, but he and the others already get on so well.”

“They do,” Merritt agreed, then cleared his throat from the effects of communion. “They get on splendidly.” Running a hand back through his hair, he sighed. “Honestly, if we’d met even a year ago, I think I would have said yes. The idea of leaving it all behind and starting fresh would have been appealing.” He dropped his hand, feeling ... not quite sad. Something like nostalgic. Wistful, perhaps. “I appreciate all you’ve done for the both of us, truly. But I’ve already started anew, in a way. I’ve a life and a family”—old and new—“back in the States. And Hulda.”

Sean nodded. “I had a feeling that would be your answer, but we thought we’d offer—”

As he spoke, Morgance’s form warped, sandy fur turning to pale skin, ears growing long and shifting into hair. Within two breaths, she was a human woman again, a verynakedhuman woman, and she draped her arms around Merritt’s neck before he could fully process what had happened. “Please, Merritt, surely you must reconsider.”

Merritt’s arms immediately swung out like he was surrendering to watchmen so as not to touch her. His body flashed cold and hot at once. He tried to step back, but Morgance rooted them both.

And suddenly he knewexactlywhat Hulda had seen last Friday.

“Uh. Um.” Merritt shifted his eyes skyward. “This isn’t really—”

“I wouldn’t mind,” she said softly, “taking you as a mate.”

Merritt shut his eyes entirely and tried to think of anything else. “I don’t think that would be a good idea. Idothink clothing would be agoodidea.”

“Mor,” Sean warned, but didn’t try to pry her off. Apparently this was not unusual behavior for her.

“If you would please unhand me,” Merritt pleaded.

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