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But what was a human promise worth? I didn’t know their kind well enough to say, and also… who could blame a human for lying to someone likeme?

I wouldn’t be surprised if Nikolai stayed away from the old man who had changed before his eyes until he resembledthis.

I was a youngling in Elven years and more than a head shorter than my old man mask; I was tiny compared to him. A sapling next to a grown tree. I supposed Nikolai wasn’t old in human years but in the prime of his young adulthood.

My beautiful human. I hope I get to see your face again.

Sleep didn’t come easy that night. I laid awake for hours, hoping and praying—although no gods existed that I believed in—to the trees I’d known for all my life to bring him back to me.

Eventually, I fell into a restless sleep.

I woke bleary-eyed and brewed some coffee. I hadn’t told Nikolai that I went to the human world a few times a year, heavily disguised, to stock up on the things I could not make myself. Like coffee. A wanderer had once left a metal jug of the beverage behind in his terror, and I had been hooked on the drink ever since.

I baked the rhubarb pie, loving the homey smell that filled my kitchen. If he didn’t come, at least I would have pie. And because it was still so early, I whipped up a batch of cookies, too.

At barely ten, a deep thrumming ran through my forest.

No. That can’t be.

But how could it not? My forest never lied.

I hurried to the front door, wrenched my boots on, and grabbed my coat. Two minutes later, I was out the door and shrugging into the sleeves of my coat as I walked across the yard.

I spotted him near the arch.

Tall and broad-shouldered, his golden hair gleamed in the morning sun.

He wore another zipper jacket over a shirt that hugged his muscular chest like a second skin.

“Jules!” he called as soon as he saw me. He raised a hand, relief showing on his handsome face.

Thirteen

Nikolai

“Youcameback.”Acautious smile spread over Jules’ face.

“Well, I said I would.”

Didn’t he want me to?

“I’m so glad.”

“You are?”

“Yes, Nikolai. There is so much I want to show you. And it was nice to have a conversation with someone who can reply.”

Oh, sweet baby boy.

“I’m sure it can get pretty lonely out here.”

“Sometimes, yes. Come.”

He gestured to the path he’d come down, and we walked back to his house.

It was a lovely walk and felt much shorter than the last time. The fragrant forest air cleared my mind, and I felt lighter here. Sunlight dappled the path ahead of us. When it hit Jules’ red gold hair just right it shimmered.

It’s beautiful.