Page 21 of A Tale of Mirth & Magic

The boots were strewn underneath a chair where I’d apparently tossed them last night. I put them on, then gathered everything else into my hefty pack. I looked myself over in the mirror.

Gorgeous. There was a small tinge of sunburn on the bridge of my nose, but otherwise my skin was just lightly tanned from the journey yesterday.

I really needed to get a new hat. My familiar face reassured me like it always did.

Heart shaped, with my snub nose set below slate gray eyes.

Full, plump cheeks. I particularly loved my big rosebud lips—everyone always said I had a beautiful smile.

I bit them softly to bring some color out.

Forcing a smile now, I said to my reflection, “Everything is fine. You’re fine. You just need some breakfast and a good walk in the fresh air.”

Braiding a strand of auburn hair on either side of my face, I kept talking to myself. I complimented my outfit—my third and last corset, a pale lilac. It was even lighter than Barra’s skin.

I found myself thinking about the way his firm lavender muscles felt under my hands last night. He was almost shy at first, holding himself back from me. Most people I’d been with couldn’t get out of their clothes fast enough.

But he’d taken his time, slowed everything down to a pace that should have frustrated me but honestly just made it that much hotter. I was used to instant gratification—if I wanted something, I got it. If wanted someone , I got them.

But Barra only gave me small pieces of himself, bit by bit.

Even his cock—usually the first thing a man wanted to get out when we were together—he’d been so hesitant that I almost thought there’d be something wrong with it.

But no, he was thick, curved, and huge .

Goddess, he was huge. I wondered what he would feel like inside me, pushing deep.

I wanted to feel his bare chest against mine, have him cover my body with his as he slid that long cock into me.

I closed my eyes, imagining it. Maybe he was still in his room. I could go over there, see what might happen…

I shook myself. Enough. We needed to pause. I could feel myself growing attached to him. The way he looked at me, combed my hair, kissed me so sincerely, somehow got me to open up about my past—it was all too much. Too much.

Staring again at my reflection, I refocused on checking over my clothes, pushing thoughts of Barra away again.

Under my corset I wore a simple ivory short-sleeve linen blouse, along with a boot-length, dark gray walking skirt and black belt.

When I finished weaving the two thin braids, I pulled the long strands behind my head and tied them together with a blue ribbon.

I kept my jewelry simple, thick silver earrings that hugged my lobes and wound delicately up to the pointy tips of my ears.

At the last minute I threw a few weighty silver bangles on one wrist—I always felt more secure when I had some metal to hand.

Just in case. I always had a couple of daggers tucked into my boot and belt, but there was something about the solid weight of simple metal against my skin that calmed me.

I pulled on my rucksack and headed downstairs. The main room was mostly empty, with just a few sleepy folks sipping at steaming mugs. I joined Barra at his table. He pulled an Elikki-sized chair over for me, and I smiled my thanks.

“Good morning! Again,” he said, returning my smile. I didn’t reply.

His deep voice unsure, he said, “I ordered breakfast for us. Hope that’s all right.”

“Oh. Okay,” I said, plopping my pack on the ground.

“Well, more like Saho told me what we were getting,” he clarified. “But it sounded like something you’d like, so I didn’t protest.”

“I’ll eat anything right now,” I said. I grabbed a mug, then reached across the table for the teapot. Barra moved at the same time I did, and our hands banged together.

“Sorry, sorry,” he said.

“Nothing to be sorry about,” I said, holding out my cup. He poured the fragrant black tea to the brim.

After a strained pause, he said, “You look very lovely this morning.”

“Thank you, Barra.”

“And those earrings are beautiful—your work?”

“They are, yes,” I said, touching the metal tips of my ears. I gazed around the room, drinking my tea and avoiding his eyes.

There was an awkwardness between us that I hated.

I could tell it was coming from me, but I couldn’t seem to stop it.

I just wanted to go back to when we bickered with each other, or when we’d chatted easily about things.

Barra seemed so uncomfortable now, his brow furrowed and arm muscles clenched.

“El, is there something—” he started to say, just as Saho descended with two massive plates. They placed them in front of us with a flourish. Each was overflowing with big fluffy pancakes, covered in a cheerful yellow compote and whipped cream.

“Morning, beautiful!” they sang to me. “Chocolate chip and sunberry pancakes today. House special. Tell me how much you love them.”

I cut a bite and chewed. “Mmm, so delicious, Saho, thank you. Oh—and the lemon cake last night was wonderful too,” I said, remembering what Legus had warned. “We enjoyed it very much.”

“I bet you did,” they said mischievously, eyes twinkling. “I heard you enjoying it when I came up to collect the plates later.”

“Scheming trickster. Menace,” I reprimanded fondly. Barra was blushing, that dark pink shade making my heart squeeze. He was so cute.

Saho returned to the kitchen. I dug into my stack of pancakes. In the corner of my eye, I could see Barra doing the same, keeping his head down.

We demolished our breakfasts. When he was done, every neat bite tucked away and crumbs wiped from his mouth, Barra excused himself to go ready Pebble. I lingered with another pot of tea.

Maybe I should stay here for a little while.

Just a week or two. Saho and Legus were so kind, and I felt sure I could convince them to give me a bit of short-term work for room and board.

This was one of the nicest, friendliest places I’d ever stayed, and I could easily see myself cleaning rooms with Legus and chatting with guests.

Gossiping with Saho in the kitchens or weeding the garden and learning more about their strange plants.

I’d been intending to stick around Povon for longer, before Felsith and my temper hastened me back on the road.

So I found myself wanting to rest somewhere for a bit more.

The new plan had been to do that in Old Orchard, but if I stayed here, Barra would have to continue without me. We could say our goodbyes now.

I wouldn’t have to deal with the sudden discomfort between us or the jumbled mess of feelings I had around him now.

He wouldn’t fall for me, and I wouldn’t have to disappoint him.

He’d take Pebble to Old Orchard, finish his business there, and maybe I’d see him briefly again on his journey back home. It would be a clean break.

Ignoring the sharp twinge in my chest, I nodded to myself, knocking the last gulp of tea back and slamming down the cup. This was the right decision. Time to find Legus or Saho and see what they thought. I rose, making my way toward the kitchen.

“All saddled and packed up,” Barra called. He ducked in the doorway, coming to me. “We can set off whenever you’re ready, Elikki.”

I considered him, suddenly exasperated. How dare he look at me like that, with such warmth and affection. And the way he says my name— El-eee-key —softly wrapping the syllables around his tongue with that deep bell of a voice. It was unfair.

He waited, expression growing worried again as I stood there watching him. I wanted to close the space between us and pull him down by the neck, smooth those anxious lines away from his forehead. He couldn’t leave. My chest squeezed again at the thought, painfully this time.

That was a bad sign. Time to end this. “I was thinking…” I said, fiddling with my bracelets.

Barra came closer. “Yes?” he said.

I cleared my throat, scrambling to put the right words together.

Just then, Saho bustled up, arms straining to hold a large covered basket. “Provisions! Travelers need snacks for the road.”

Barra lifted the heavy basket up for them. “Saho, it’s barely a day’s journey. This is too much.” He pulled some coins from his purse, which the half-elf waved off.

“Pshhh, I’ve seen the way you two eat. You need all of this to keep up your strength,” they said breezily. “It’s just a bit of this, a bit of that. You can have a little picnic luncheon. And I packed a couple extra slices of lemon cake since you liked it so much.”

They winked at me. I gave a shaky smile back.

And then we were being hustled out the front door, Saho’s skinny hands prodding us along. Legus came up behind us and wrapped his arms around Saho, his tail curling tenderly over one leg.

“Come and visit us again anytime, my dears,” Legus said, his red scales glinting in the morning sunlight.

“Thank you, friends. I should be back this way soon.” Barra waved and went to get Pebble from the stables.

I hesitated, trying to muster up the courage to turn this fond farewell scene into an awkward request for a week’s worth of work instead. They were both waving, smiling. Sighing internally, I just waved back. “Thanks again for everything!” Then I turned, following Barra.

Well, I’d tried. I guess we’ll have one more day together. Resolving to keep my distance and cool things off with Barra, I pushed down the glee that squirmed around my stomach.

This was idiotic. I knew better.

But damn if I wasn’t relieved.