BEAU

“ Beau!” one of my second cousins shouts right before they throw the ball.

I catch it in my bat form and dodge a tackle before dropping it through the goal. Poe snorts from the sidelines.

Batball is better than any of the silly human sports. We have to shift between forms to play. Anyone that can fly can play, but Poe got banned from playing when he growled at one of the guys when they tackled my bat two games ago. He apologized and took his banning with grace. I’ll sweet talk someone into lifting the ban later if he wants, but right now I’m enjoying him rooting for my team.

A rumble of thunder rises my hackles, but doesn’t terrify me like it had even a year ago. Poe shoots me a look and I give him a thumbs up. More thunder rumbles from the sky and a flash of lightning brightens the field as we clean up.

When rain pours from the sky, one of my little cousins scrunches down and holds his knees to his chest. A whine comes from him. Another clap of thunder and he shifts to his bat. I know exactly what it’s like for the terror to rip through me and I race toward him, but Poe’s on the field, coaxing my little cousin from the sky.

“Come on, William. It’s safer down here when it’s storming. I’ll hold you if that’ll help?”

My aunt watches on, no doubt wondering if my demon will indeed help or make things worse.

William’s only about seven, but he flops in Poe’s outstretched hand.

“Do you like being groomed?” Poe pulls out a toothbrush from his back pocket. We all love it and he’s taken to carrying it around when he’s at the colony.

William chirps and spread out on Poe’s hand. Poe chuckles and drags the toothbrush across Will’s back as he walks to the communal building we’re all gathering in.

As much as I love my family, I miss Hex when we’re not there. I miss my bestie, Sparkle, who taught me how to pole dance. Not well, but it entertains Poe and me when I practice. I miss Wren, who’s not as jaded as he thinks he is. I miss Gabe, who taught me how to knit and the joys of gardening. I miss Wick’s bakery and everyone inside. Hex is where my heart lies and Poe owns my heart.

Will flaps his wings at the next clap of thunder and Poe trips on his own feet. He flails back, throwing Will in the air. We all gasp when he almost smacks into a window.

“Sorry, kiddo!” Poe pushes to his knees and hisses. “Fuck.” His head goes to the floor, and he pounds his fist.

“Poe!” I run to his side. “What’s wro—” My eyes go wide. “Your horns! They’re gone.” I search his face. His eyes flash once before fading to a beautiful shade of brown.

“Fuck!” he cries out again. “Sorry for the R rated language kids.”

His wings rip out of his back, leathery like our bat wings and they fill with soft white down. I want to reach out and touch, but Poe’s in pain.

“Look at me, Poe. You broke the curse.”

“What?” he croaks.

“You’re free.” I press my lips to his as his tail disappears. “You’re free .”

He cries out one last time. Something—a hidden collar—clatters to the floor, and he falls into my arms. No need to worry because the horns aren’t a problem anymore.

Murmurs fill the silence. One day we’ll have to explain, but not now. He’s free of all his obligations, and it’s time to celebrate. No more Poe the king. He resigned from the council months ago. No more anything. He’s free to be himself fully and completely.

My Poe. My home. My love is free.