Page 34 of Horn in My Side

“Blackbyrd on Main Street. I hope you don’t mind that we’re not going too far, since I didn’t want to drive.”

“It’s a nice night for a walk, anyway. And I love that place, but I’ve only been once.

Their burnt Basque cheesecake is divine.

” She chewed at her lower lip. “Mal, Blackbyrd is pretty expensive for a first date. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather go to the diner or maybe one of the other restaurants on Main? Harpy’s Café is good too.”

“I already made reservations, and don’t worry about the cost.”

“But—”

“I asked you out,” he reminded her. Besides, he’d been watching her scrimp and save the last couple of months, so he wanted to treat her to something special tonight. He held out his arm. “Shall we?”

She looped her arm through his and they strolled toward Main Street in comfortable silence. Mal breathed in the warm night air as a breeze carried some of Jasmine’s perfume and tickled his nose.

“Welcome to Black—Oh, hello, Mal,” the host, an older man with salt-and-pepper hair, greeted.

“Good evening, Karl. How are things tonight?”

Karl waved at the fully packed dining room. “Busy, but we’re all good. So, reservation for two, right?”

“Yes. This is Jasmine.”

“Hello, Jasmine.” The host beamed a smile at Jasmine then stage-whispered, “It’s usually a table for one, just so you know.” Karl winked at Mal, as if saying, I have your back , which he didn’t mind at all. Mal had been coming here almost weekly, and he liked the charming human.

“Should we wait? We’re a bit early—”

“No, of course not.” Karl clucked his tongue. “This way, please.”

He led them to a table in a cozy corner, which had been set up with a vase of red roses. “Here you go. Your server will be with you in a moment. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“We’re good.”

“Have a great dinner, then.” With a final wave, he sauntered back to his station.

“Wow, look at you, already a regular,” Jasmine said, her tone lighthearted.

“Not really. I eat out a lot here on Main Street, though,” he replied. “I don’t cook. I mean, I can follow a recipe and everything, but I’m traveling ten months out of twelve, living in hotels and bunkhouses, so I never need to cook.”

“Oh, that’s right. You work all over the world. Must be exciting, seeing all those places.”

“I don’t get to do much touristy stuff, mind you.

I get in, get the job done, and get out.

” Saying the words sounded almost alien to him now and it had been a while since he’d thought about his mantra.

Though he’d had extended jobs before, the most he’d ever stayed on one site was about four months.

“So all you do is work?”

“Yeah, I mean, that’s what they pay me for.”

“Do you have any examples of stuff you’ve done?” She placed her palms on the table and leaned forward. “That tank you made was amazing, but I’d love to see more.”

“Sure.” Mal took his phone out from his pocket and tilted the screen toward her.

“Let’s see . . . Here’s the last job I did.

It was a mountain cabin for a warlock. He wanted it to actually float on top of a mountain.

” He flipped to the next photo in the album.

“Here’s a room I designed for a resort down in St. Lucia.

” Mal had to smirk, thinking of that one.

“It was a challenge because I had to make the furniture big enough for centaurs.”

“Centaurs?” she echoed. “They like going to the Caribbean?”

“Oh yeah. It’s a booming market.” He flipped through the album. “Ah, this one’s a bank in Switzerland. Not much to see, I’m afraid, as I mostly did anti-theft and security spells. They want me back next year once I’ve perfected my fraud detection wards.”

“Mal, I had no idea.” She leaned back in her chair, an astonished expression on her face. “Your work . . . it’s amazing. I can see why you like it so much. You’re incredible.”

He put his phone away. “Thank you. But you’ve seen Vrig’s stuff. This is just standard for orc builders.”

“You’re too modest,” she admonished. “You should be proud.”

A young woman appeared and handed them two leather-bound folders. Based on her pale skin, green hair, and the fin-like appendages sprouting from her hair, Mal guessed she was a water nymph.

“Good evening, sir, madame.” Her voice had the soothing, bubbly quality of her people, almost as if she were underwater.

“I’m Seren. I’ll be your server this evening.

Please have a look at our menu. We do have some specials .

. .” She rattled off the list in a crisp, efficient manner.

“If you don’t have any questions, I’ll come back in a bit to take your orders. ”

“Everything looks good,” Jasmine said as she peered at the menu. “What should I order?”

“Whatever you want,” he replied. “Except for the cheapest thing on the menu.”

“But what if that’s what I want?”

“Then I’ll order another one and you can take it home.”

Her jaw dropped. “You wouldn’t.”

“What do you think?” he challenged. “I told you, this is my treat. So get what you want.”

In the end, Jasmine ended up ordering the sea bass for her main, while Mal ordered his usual—Wagyu steak (rare), fries instead of mashed potatoes, and green beans and cauliflower.

“I’ll be back with your salads,” Seren said as she sauntered away.

“How have you been?” he asked once they were alone.

“You see me almost every day, Mal,” she said with a chuckle. “I’m doing fine. The shop’s doing great. I finished looking at the sales figures from the weekend and we made out like bandits.”

“But I mean how are you ? And how are you coping with your newfound magic?”

“Ah.” Her gaze dropped to her lap for a second.

“It’s a bit overwhelming, to be honest. Before, I went about my day, trying to figure out what each pet needs.

But now I seem to be spending an extraordinary amount of time trying to focus and concentrate and see if I can communicate with them.

” She let out a long sigh. “I hate to say it, but it was almost easier when I didn’t know I had these abilities, and I was just guessing. ”

“Perhaps you’re overthinking it.”

“Could be. Maybe. Probably. On the upside, I think the phoenixes are figuring it out and they’ve been asking for more birdseed.”

“They’re also high up on the magical scale.” Mal paused. “I’m sorry you’re feeling so overwhelmed, Jasmine.”

“Why? It’s not your fault.”

“But it was because of me that you discovered you had magic.” He clasped his hands on the table. “Listen, maybe I can help.”

“Help? How?”

“I can teach you a few things.”

“Don’t we have to have the same type of magic for you to train me?”

He scratched at his chin with a claw. “Normally, you would have to train under someone with the same powers. I imagine that’s the case for your family?”

“Yes. All males who want to inherit start working with the current albularyo as soon as they turn thirteen.”

“I can’t train you to use your magic, but I can help you learn about how magic works. At its core, magic is all the same. While you can’t use the same spells as me, I should be able to give you tips and tricks on how to tap into your magic.”

A hopeful gleam shone in her eyes. “That would be amazing, Mal. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. I might be completely wrong about being able to help you.”

“Still—”

“I have appetizers for you,” Seren interrupted, placing two identical dishes on their charger plate. “Foie gras quiches with poached pears.”

“Are these for us?” Jasmine asked.

“Yes, miss.”

“I think we’re supposed to have just the house salad included with our mains. We didn’t order these,” Jasmine said. “Please don’t charge us for them. I hope it’s not too late to send them back?”

Any other woman would have taken advantage of Mal’s generosity, but not Jasmine. She didn’t want him to pay for more than they’d ordered, but really, one extra appetizer would not break the bank. Before he could reassure her, though, the server spoke up first.

“Oh no, no, miss.” The nymph shook her head, her fins fanning. “These are compliments of Chef Lucien for Mr. Mal.” She turned to him. “Chef wanted me to say hello to you and your lady friend for him.”

“Please send our thanks,” Mal said.

Jasmine shot him a wry smile. “Not really a regular, huh?”

The rest of the meal was pleasant, and Mal was glad he’d brought an appetite because then he was only half distracted by Jasmine.

Under the elegant lighting, her skin glowed even more, and he recalled how soft and smooth she had been when he’d last held her.

And with each “oooh” and “ahh” when she took a bite of the delicious food, his eyes were drawn to her lips, the memory of how they tasted still fresh in his mind.

A few times during the meal, he had to adjust his pants, as his semi-hard erection pressed up against the fabric painfully.

Gaku help him, would he be able to survive two more of these dates when he could barely get through one without fighting the urge to maul her?

“That was delicious.” Jasmine patted her mouth with her napkin. “I’d lick that plate clean if we weren’t in public.”

The image of Jasmine’s pink tongue popped up in Mal’s head, making him groan inwardly.

“Dessert?” Seren asked as she returned to check on them.

“Yes. The burnt Basque cheesecake.”

“Excellent choice. Two forks?”

“Two orders.” He caught Jasmine’s gaze, sensing her objection. “I’m greedy. I need my own.”

“Very well.” She picked up their plates. “I’ll clear these for you and get back with those cheesecakes.”

“Mal . . .”

“What?” He shrugged. “I am greedy and want my own dessert. If you don’t stop complaining about how much everything costs, I’ll order four more slices.”

“Fine,” she said, resigned.

“Good girl.”

Her pupils blew out as a sexual charge filled the air.

Huh.