Page 7

Curious who this possible nymph holding a full conversation with a sprite could be, I extend my claws and silently climb the nearest tree, hoping to get a bird’s eye view of the female and sprite.

If there were any birds nearby, I could actually get a bird’s eye view by connecting with them and seeing through their eyes, but climbing a tree and making my way closer is more than enough.

I only need to leap across half a dozen trees before I come upon the female. There below me stands a petite female wearing frayed denim short overalls, standing on bare tip toes, reaching into a tree hollow and rummaging around. I can’t completely see the sprite, but I’d guess it’s inside the tree, where it must keep its hoard.

“Oh dear, and a cup from theUgly Mug. That one I’m going to have to take back, Delphi. You can’t keep that.”

“What? Can’t have? But it’s mine I found it.”

“I know you want to keep it, but you can’t. Arthur collected these for years from all over the world. He’s very proud of his collection and they’ll notice if one is missing.”

The sprite makes a whimpering whining sound, like a pouting toddler. It’s kind of adorable, the back and forth these two are having. I’m still not sure if the female can understand the sprite or just knows it well enough to deduce what it’s saying.

Inspecting the girl further, I see sunflowers and slivers of green in her chestnut brown hair. Hair that’s thick and lush, looking silky soft to the touch, falling in soft waves down her shoulders. Shoulders that are barely covered with tiny cap sleeves, leaving her neck and arms exposed. Green markings swirl on her skin that a human would assume were tattoos but I know better. She’s an earth nymph, they always have green markings or skin, the flowers in her hair only confirm this further. Although her skin tone is different from most earth nymphs, who tend to be shades of green or even dark earthy brown, her skin is like soft toffee or a creamy latte.

That’s when I notice the curling twitch of a tail peeking out through the bottom of her shorts. It’s small and petite like her, barely reaching her knees with more of her green markings at its end. It’s cute and my tail responds, wrapping around my leg and twitching when hers does.

Smiling, I crouch on the branch and latch my claws into its bark, holding me still to watch the fascinating female below me. She soothes the sulking sprite and pulls it from the hole in the tree. Its plump, furry body wrapping around her like a child holding onto her neck, playing with the flowers in her hair.

These two have obviously formed a bond, solidified over time, to become so familiar. They’ve spent time together, learned each other, and created a natural bond. A bond that I realize I don’t possess with anyone.

I wonder what it’s like to feel such a thing.

The pair step away from the tree and the female turns, and I’m finally able to see her face. Soft features, with full pink lips and unnaturally emerald, green eyes almost too large for her face, make her look sweet and innocent, nearly taking my breath away. The complete opposite of the women I’m used to spending time with. Sweet and innocent don’t mingle in the circles I do.

The girl smiles and giggles quietly, the sound like fairy bells dancing in the wind, entrancing me. Forcing my body to remain completely still, I watch her.

The sprite fusses with her hair as she reaches up to the egg-shaped hanging nest, checking its structure, a pink dinosaur mug gripped in one hand, but my focus is on her and not what her hands are doing. It’s on the hair the sprite is moving and the flowers that seem to be changing and growing. New blooms blossoming next to the sunflowers. Something small and purple that looks like a star. I’m not versed in flora, so I have no idea what they are.

The fussing sprite reveals her ears and they’re still pointed but shorter with a more rounded point. That’s when I realize why she seems so different from other earth nymphs, she’s a half-breed.

Perhaps my prayers have been answered, because I don’t recognize this girl. I’ve never seen her around town, but from her conversation with the sprite, it’s obvious she’s a resident.So, who is she? And how have I never seen her before. I would have remembered those eyes and lips. The cute little tail.

If I’ve never met her, it’s highly unlikely anyone in my family has. Especially if she’s a half-breed.

She seems young. Definitely attractive. Maybe I could convince her to be my nonexistent baby momma. At the very least, perhaps a serious girlfriend that I plan to bond with. The fact that she’s half human could possibly get me disowned, and the thought makes me smile. This could be more enjoyable than I anticipated.

Waiting until she’s done with her inspection of the nest, I position myself on the branch and leap from it, landing on the ground with a soft thud. It’s still loud enough for her to hear, and she whirls around, her hair fanning out wildly before settling around her shoulders again. A cute high-pitched yelp squeaking out of her pretty pink lips.

The sprite, who was inside its nest, scurries out and leaps onto the female’s head, squealing in disapproval.

“Who are you? Go away! I will bite you.”

The female pulls the sprite off her head and holds her close to her chest, cooing into its ear and petting its blue and white striped fur until it calms.

“Hello,” I say calmly with a smile I like to callthe panty dropper. The female only scowls at me, her mouth falling open slightly in confusion. That’s not the usual response I get when meeting a female for the first time, shirtless, and not even wearing a glamour.

“Who are you and why are you creeping around? What do you want?”

Okay, so not the best first impression.

“I’m Kai. And I wasn’t creeping, just out for a walk. Heard you talking with the sprite and thought I’d say hello. Maybe offer my assistance.” I give her another toothy grin, this time trying to make it more casual and friendlier.

Her furrowed brow smooths out, but not completely. Those emerald gems search the immediate area from side to side before resettling on me.

“So, you’re here alone?” she asks, her voice conveying her distress and uncertainty.

Can’t she hear the truth in my tone? Can’t she tell that I’m not going to hurt her? Maybe her human half diminishes her nymph hearing? I try again, infusing my tone with my sincerity.