“Oh, I love the movies,” Mazie said. “Sometimes I could get a free ticket for a double feature, and I’d just sit in there for hours crunching popcorn. When you come out into the street after a really good movie, it’s weird trying to rejoin the real world.”
“Yeah? I haven’t seen a movie for years, actually,”
“Didn’t you go a lot as a kid?” Mazie asked innocently.
Pyrus grinned. “They didn’t have movies when I was a kid.”
“Oh. Oh, wow,” Mazie muttered, remembering. It struck her suddenly that all the things she’d grown up with had been invented while Pyrus was an adult. He’d watched the world change with mature eyes, and he wouldn’t see something as simple as the movies the same way she did.
“Were you always the man at the center of attention?” Mazie asked. She wanted to know how old he was, to try to understand the technological advancements he’d seen, but she was worried it might be an offensive question.
“No,” Pyrus said with a chuckle. “I was awkward as fuck as a kid. I always fell off my damn horse. As soon as my wings came in, I flew everywhere I could.”
“It must be amazing to have seen the whole world. Is there anywhere you haven’t seen?”
He shook his head. “I’ve flown over every inch of it. There are a few places I’ve never landed, though. Places I’d like to see close up.”
“Is there anything you could do, back in your day, which is exactly the same as now?” Mazie asked, still trying to get an idea of how old he was.
Pyrus sighed, smiling as he closed his eyes. “Cafes,” he muttered. “And bars. Ordering a drink and food has not changed for centuries.”
Centuries!
“You like cafes, then?”
“Are you kidding me?” Pyrus asked. “They’re the best. Not as formal as restaurants, with inventive menus and friendly staff. Coffee just gets better and better every year, I must say. You should have tried the first European attempts at it. Growing beans all around the world and roasting them in different ways has really changed things.”
Mazie giggled. Pyrus was adorable when he got enthusiastic about something that gave him simple pleasure.
“And bars?” she asked. “I’m guessing they haven’t changed much?”
Pyrus grinned. “There are still places in Europe and the surrounding isles where I can slap a copper on the bench and get a draught of local brew, as well as a haunch of mutton, just like it was when I was a boy.”
“Wow,” she muttered, watching him. He was truly gorgeous when he was animated.
He’s gorgeous all the fucking time but look at how he shines when he’s excited.
“What about you?” Pyrus asked. “Cafes a thing for you too?”
Mazie nodded, reaching out to hold his hand. “I was going to say it’s my next favorite thing after movies. I can’t wait to go café hopping with you.”
“Anytime,” Pyrus said, raising her hand to kiss her fingers.
Exhaustion pulled at her brain. It had been a long day and an even longer night. Talking with Pyrus was just so comfortable that it was hard to stop.
He leaned over and kissed her. Mazie smiled up at him, then quickly stifled a yawn. Pyrus laughed.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “It isn’t you. I’m just tired.”
“As well you should be,” Pyrus said, standing. “I’ll not stand between you and your bed, my lady. I bid thee goodnight.”
Pyrus stepped back and bowed, gently taking her hand to kiss her knuckles. He released her and turned to go, giving her a little wink. Mazie watched him walk away, her whole body tingling with excitement.
At moments like this, there was no doubt or fear. She might not truly understand the meaning of fated mates, but she wanted Pyrus, and he wanted her too.
ELEVEN
PYRUS