“Dinner,” I repeated. A meal. Followed by a tour. And more information. “Okay. Yeah, I can do that.”
Because, again, what other option did I have? Hide here in the meadow forever? Hope for some miracle to take me back to Earth?
An idea nagged at me.
Actually… Maybe I could use this all to my advantage to find a way back home. Play along for a while, learn more about these so-called fae, this realm, my supposed gifts, and perhaps escape.
Assuming that was what I wanted.
I frowned. Oh, hell, I had no idea what I wanted anymore.
But I did like the sound of a shower and food.
So, yeah. Going with Titus made sense. At least for now.
“I can sense your indecision,” he whispered, his lips against my ear. “Just give me the evening, sweetheart. You’ll see.” A soft flame warmed our clasped hands. “And if you want, I’ll show you how to create fireballs. Maybe you can accidentally throw one at Exos.”
A snort from the forest ahead said he’d heard that. He must have just disappeared from view but was clearly still waiting on us to follow.
“A fireball,” I mused, pondering the possibilities. “Yeah, I think I like that idea.”
“Just try not to burn down any more buildings” was his dark reply.
My amusement died.
Yeah.
Okay.
Maybe no fireballs.
Titus sighed beside me. “Spoilsport,” he muttered. “I’ll show you how to control it, Claire. You have my word.”
I nodded mutely, unable to say anything else.
A shower.
Some clothes.
Food.
Hopefully, one of those things would help me feel human again.
Except I wasn’t human, not according to these men.
I’m part fae.
Whatever the hell that really means.
I was too exhausted to dwell on it, my limbs aching, my heart shattered. Titus squeezed my hand again, a jolt of heat sliding up my arm to dispel the ice coating my veins. No words, just a touch, one that seemed to thaw some of the pain. He pulled me close, the warmth from his body a comforting blanket over my skin. I leaned into him, absorbing his essence, his kindness, his strength, and allowing it to fuel my steps.
Maybe I really had lost my mind.
Because some foreign part of me trusted him despite our brief acquaintance. Possibly because he felt like the only friend I might have in this strange land.
Or perhaps something more powerful was at play…
Titus