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“You know I’d never thought I would say this to anyone…but I’d love to garden with you.”

I’d love to do anything with you, Jules: worship you, service you, and be on my knees for you. Whatever you want from me, you can have it.

“Wonderful. I will be seeing you back here, then?”

“Yes, you will. I won’t be able to come for the next two or three weekends, though. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, okay. I understand of course.”

“Wish I could come see you, but we have games away. I’m still not playing, but my coach asked me to come to the next one with the team. Iwantto be there with them.”

“Oh, yes. I think I would want that, too.” Jules’ face softened with an understanding smile.

“But I promise I’ll be back the weekend after. If that’s okay with you, that is.”

Maybe he doesn’t want me to—

“That would be lovely, Nikolai. I will try to think about the things we can do in the garden when you are back.”

He walked me to the archway, and I wasthisclose to hugging him goodbye.

“Bye, Jules. I’ll see you soon.”

“Goodbye. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Bye, Barney.” I bent down to scratch his Wolpertinger’s wing bases. “Take good care of your dad, okay?” The little hare-like creature huffed and nudged my hand with his head.

Jules gave me a curious look when I rose to my feet.

“Goodbye Nikolai.”

“Bye.” I hesitated for another moment, desperate for a hug. But why would this powerful creature be interested in hugging me at all?

I turned and left through the arch. After a few metres I turned back. He stood there, watching me go with both hands in his pockets, and looked downcast.

Sixteen

Nikolai

Lifekeptmeawayfrom Jules for the next month.

I travelled to the next game with the team. They played the Rimburg Ravens.

We had only just arrived at the rink in Rimburg when Jerke held me back.

“Lorenz? I want you to get changed and join the team for training.”

Fuck yes!

I’d been prepared to hang out on the bench. In record time I had changed, taped my stick, and sharpened my blades.

I could have cried when Bo beamed at the sight of me.

“Dammit, it’s good to have you back, Kleiner.” We chased each other up the rink, passing a puck between us. Arne soon joined us, trying to block our path. He stole my puck and passed it to Nate, who accepted it easily, and dodged Luis, our rookie, and took his shot. Guns barely deflected it. Then our centre was back. He passed to Max, who feigned a shot, passed back and—“YES!” A beaming Decks hugged Max and Arne to celebrate his goal, and Bo and I joined the group hug.

God, it’s so good to be back.

Bo and I doubled down on them. We’d always been a great team.