Page 97 of MidKnight
I squinted at the bear. “Fuzzy?”
The bear made a whining sound and covered its face with its paw.
I gasped in relief and sheathed my pathetic weapon. Next time, I was insisting on a sarding sword.
“How the hell did you get wings?” I asked.
A titter had me looking upward. Donaloo floated down from the sky. He landed next to the squashed wolf andtskedat Fuzzy. “Instincts are good, but we must be careful. Or we could all soon be despairful. Only the force that must be had should be used, otherwise force will use us, and we won’t get to choose.”
I tilted my head as I studied the wizard. “Why did you give Fuzzy wings?”
“Why—how else would he fly? Wings are best to get from here to there. And when you’ve got to go west, wings are better than a ship’s fare.”
I closed my eyes, feeling somewhat sorry I’d asked.
Can you ask him to get us back to the palace, Dove? And maybe magic us up some clothes so we don’t walk in … like this?He gestured at the very thin white shirt that ended at my thighs and his own nude state.
You look great but I … yes, I’ll ask.I sighed. I’d probably get twelve annoying rhymes as answers. But hopefully Donaloo could magic up a fur-lined cloak. I took a step closer to the wizard, “Donaloo, do you think you could make some magical cloaks or something so that Quinn and I aren’t so … exposed to the cold? And maybe, possibly … help us fly back to the palace? We ran out of Flight potion.”
Donaloo gave me a tongue click and finger point, which I assumed meant yes. At least it wasn’t a rhyme.
He waved his hands, and immediately I felt as if a soft rabbit’s fur cloak was brushing against my arms. But when I looked down, the cloak was invisible. My ice-cold nipples were still on full display through the thin shirt I wore. I felt quite certain if I leaned over and looked, my love triangle would also show. I closed my eyes and breathed through my nose, telling myself that the wizard had not done that on purpose.
His magic is wonky, I talked myself down. He’s not a dirty old man.
I took a deep breath and made eye contact with Donaloo, who was—very clearly—smirking.
Nix that. Completely a dirty old man. And an ass.
“Donaloo, could you please ensure that no one can see my body?” I asked with a smile through gritted teeth. “This would be inappropriate.” I gestured at myself. My court tone needed a lot of work, because my fury slipped through in my voice.
“Oh, not just exposure to the cold, exposure to eyes that might wander and behold,” he winked.
“Yes, please.” It felt like agony to have to respond. To not just grab him by the throat and shake him.
I think I like him even more now,Quinn laughed internally.
You would.
Quick as a wink, orange magic flared out and wrapped around my cloak and I felt relieved when the cloak didn’t burst into flames, just settled against me, feeling slightly heavier than before.
When the sparkling orange mist dissipated, I looked down again. Now, none of my body from the shoulders down was visible. I looked over. Quinn now had a nice, normal outfit. I was a sarding head floating in midair.
Donaloo couldn’t control his giggles. Even Fuzzy let out a snuffle. Quinn howled inside my head, tears dripping from his eyes. Only Blue looked at me with any pity at all.
He gave you exactly what you asked for, Dove!
I stroked my bluebird’s chest, fighting down the anger that made me feel crazy enough to attack a bear, a powerful wizard, and my husband.
“Sard it,” I said and turned away from the men, stomping off in the direction of the palace.
Wait! You’re supposed to ask him to fly us home!Quinn called out.
I’m not sarding asking that fool for anything else!I mind-yelled,Ask him yourself.
My mind and the forest rang out with laughter as Donaloo and Quinn watching my floating head drift away.
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