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Noah’s lips curved. “Are we still talking about the coat?”

“I smell like dragon, need a bath, and this painfully mortal body needs to sleep…we are still talking about the coat.”

“We could bathe together.”

As much as Pan liked the idea of bathing, he doubted they would fill up an actual bath. The water supply that had once fed the castle no longer existed. “I suspect there will be a jug of water and cloths in our room and that will have to suffice.”

Noah sighed. “I should’ve gone home. At least then I could’ve showered.”

“Showered?”

“Um, like standing in rain, but it comes from a tap in the roof. Do you have taps?”

Pan rolled his eyes. “Of course we have taps and hot water…but it all used magic. You can show me your shower another day.”

“Can I pick up the coat?”

“Of course. Bring it to our room.”

CHAPTER34

The fur coat was so soft beneath his fingers, as if it was a living thing. Perhaps that was the magic. When Pan had been wearing the coat, it had seemed old and dull; now it gleamed in the lamplight, begging to be worn.

He was too scared to ask what it was made of. Or how it had been made. It was a gift, and it was definitely magical. But like all the objects he collected, he didn’t know what they did, or why he was drawn to them until Pan said it was because of the magic.

That part of his life now made sense.

He picked up the coat and was surprised how light it was. Pan was smaller than him, so it wouldn’t fit. Not that he was ever going to wear a fur coat in public. He glanced up as Pan set down the lamp and opened the door to lead him to their room.

They weren’t being forced to share a tent. This time, he chose to share Pan’s bed.

In his ears, he heard the rushing of his blood. Or was it the ocean? No, it was the coat; it smelled of salt and sand.

He took a step, then he hesitated. It would be a shame to not even try it on…he could wear it around the palace. He slid his arms in, surprised at how well it fit. It wasn’t too snug around the shoulders, and surprisingly, it reached his ankles. He drew the front together and did up the button.

The room spun, and he fell, rolling over the floor. He cursed, but it wasn’t his voice coming out of his mouth. He went to push himself up but only flopped on the floor.

Pan dropped the bowl and swore, in what sounded like several different languages.

Shit. If Pan was freaking out, this was bad.

Noah tried to stand again and rolled over onto his back. “What’s wrong with me?”

What were those weird noises he was making?

He tried to get up but kept rolling, knocking into things with his… Why the fuck did his feet look like that? Where were his feet? That was a… It was some kind of tail. A tail covered in brown fur, just like the coat. “What did you do to me?”

Pan ran over and dropped to his knees. He placed his hands on Noah’s face the way he had before. “Please stop panicking.” Which was hard to do when Pan’s eyes were wide, and he looked like he was dabbling in a little panic. “The coat didn’t do this to me when I wore it.”

“That’s not reassuring, you fuckwit.” More stupid noises came out of his mouth. He slapped his tail in disgust. He shouldn’t be slapping his tail; he shouldn’t have a tail.

Pan gave him a grim smile and didn’t remove his hands. “Stop swearing at me. I can speak selkie.”

“Selkie?” He knew what they were, and he did not like the implications. “I’m a fucking a seal?”

“No, a selkie, which is different. I swear I didn’t know this would happen.” Pan scowled, which was worse than panic.

“Not helping. Un-seal me,” Noah barked.

Pan shook his head. “I can’t.”

No. This was not happening.

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