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“Hello,” the newcomer called and raised a four-fingered hand. Unlike Vitus, whose plumage was dark green with blood red, the newcomer’s feathers gleamed in a burnt orange with dark blue. But both Elvertritsch were enormous walking, talking mountains of muscle. “Sorry to butt in. I was on a patrol in the area and thought I’d say hi.”

“Frederik, hey.” Nate got up and shook the man’s hand. “Good to see you. Do you have time for a cup of tea and a slice of pie?”

“Oh, I don’t want to cause you any trouble.” He ruffled his feathers, clearly flustered at the idea of joining us.

“Nonsense, it’s no trouble. Have you met Jules and Nik?”

“No, I don’t think we’ve met.”

“Baby?” Nate left it to Vee to introduce us and then disappeared into the house.

Vee gestured at Barnabas in his lap to indicate why he couldn’t get up as it was customary. At least I believed that.

“Nik is a colleague of Nate’s, and Jules is…”

The orange Elvertritsch gave my hand a firm squeeze. “The Höimann?” It was so strange. They surely had never met me—I would remember—yet we recognised each other.

“Yes,” I confirmed.

“It’s nice to meet you, Jules. I’m Frederik, Vee and I work together as forest rangers. So, I think we have things in common?”

“Yes, I think we do.”

He took a seat at the table.

“Here you go.” Nate placed a cup of tea in front of Frederik.

“I’m not too fond of coffee,” he explained. “Thank you, Nate.”

When I had fallen in love with Nikolai I hadn’t realised what being a part of his life might entail. I had not realised that he had a life outside of my forest, and that we might experience it together.

It was still a new experience for me, but it was one I loved. It was like having friends and belonging somewhere.

My perfect mate. He had given me so much more than just his affection. Nikolai gave me a richer life, and I adored him all the more for that.

Epilogue

Jules

EversinceNikolaihadadmitted how much he loved my stag legs and my antlers, I hardly ever bothered with my human form anymore while we were at home. I hadn’t expected that I could ever find a body that fit me even better than the slender human man Bunny had grown to love.

The half stag with heavy antlers crowning his head had become the truest form I knew.

It had been beautiful to watch Bunny getting to know this new body of mine. He said he adored the feel of my fur on his skin, my little tail, my sheath… The first time he had explored it still lived rent-free in my head.

I snorted. Just like Bunny had invaded my forest, my home, and then my heart, I’d made his language my own.

Oh, my sweetest Bunny.

He had moved in with me after his training camp. This new turn my life had taken made me happier than ever before. I often caught myself prancing through the forest like a ballerina. I was glad nobody but the trees and my animals saw me.

Ever since he had moved in, his games away had gotten harder. I missed him so much, but I also breathed a lot easier since his life was now tethered to mine.

It would require a lot more to take him away from me.

The tremor that ran through the ground alerted me to my tired white knight returning from a game in Osterfeld.

I turned and sprinted towards the arch. My hooves crunched on the first fallen leaves.