Page 16 of If the Shoe Fits (Rainbow Tales #2)

A few hours later, Xander stood before not one, not two, but an entire plate piled high with steaming scones. There was also a pot of jam, a jar of clotted cream, and a bowl of fresh strawberries.

“It worked,” Xander whispered. “I'll never go hungry again.”

“That's your goal?” Nevan rolled his eyes. “You cast your first transfiguration spell, and you think food is the ultimate achievement? Don't you understand that this is only the beginning?” He motioned at the horse stalls, and a wave of something tingling and bright swept past Xander.

Xander peered at the stomping horses, then narrowed his stare at Nevan. “What did you do to them?”

“I cleaned them.”

“The horses?”

“The horses, the stalls, the entire—” Nevan waved his hand in a circular motion. “—place. I assume that is part of your daily duties.”

Xander hurried to the first stall and peered into it.

It was mucked out, with fresh hay spread, and the horse in the stall—Phillip—shone as if he'd been brushed.

Even the walls looked as if someone had taken a brush to them.

He spun back toward Nevan. “That's . . .

thank you, Nevan. You've saved me hours of work. ”

Nevan blinked. “It was nothing. And it will be nothing for you as well. Cleaning up after horses is not your destiny, Xander. You could rule this land.”

“Rule?” Xander laughed. “I just want to be free of my stepmother.

“Again, you're thinking too small.” He waved at the food. “Eat your breakfast.” Nevan sniffed, then crouched beside the plate. “I think I'll join you.”

Xander sat down and showed Nevan the best way to eat a scone—slathered in jam and dolloped with cream. The strawberries offered brightness between bites. Soon, they were groaning through their breakfast.

“Now, I understand,” Nevan said.

“Understand what?” Xander asked.

“Why you were so focused on food. These are wonderful!”

Xander laughed and pushed the plate toward Nevan. “Have as much as you like. I can always make more.”

“Oho! You're getting cocky already.” Nevan leaned in. “I love it!”

“Nevan, can—”

“Asher!” Xander's stepmother screeched.

“Who is that?” Nevan narrowed his eyes in the direction of the sound.

“That would be my stepmother.” Xander sighed and got up.

“Uh-uh.” Nevan pulled him back down. “Allow me.” He went to the stable door and cracked it open .

Xander couldn't see what Nevan was doing, but he had faith in him. Sure, they'd only been working together for a day, but Xander knew his mother would never send him someone who would betray him. If Nevan said he'd handle—

Another shriek came, this one wordless. Then Xander's stepmother screamed, “Hubben!”

“Sorry, Mother,” came a faint reply.

Then more shrieking.

Nevan closed the door, turned around, and brushed his palms together.

“What did you do?” Xander looked from the smug fairy to the door.

“Oh, the fat one just spilled his lunch—including his drink—onto that woman. She's forgotten all about you. At least for now.”

“It won't be for long.” Xander slathered another scone with jam. “Tormenting me is her favorite pastime.”

“Which is why I made her forget.” Nevan grimaced and added, “Temporarily. Making humans forget things permanently is frowned upon. We used to do it all the time. But some of us got carried away, and the human world was overrun by wandering idiots for a while. The King set a limit on wiping memories. It can only be done in an emergency and only temporarily. Or if he approves of it.”

“That would be my grandfather?”

“Yes.” Nevan plucked a strawberry from the bowl, dipped it in the clotted cream, and ate it. “But he doesn't like humans.”

“Oh.”

“It's not a huge loss, kid.” Nevan shoved Xander's shoulder playfully. “And the King has his reasons for disliking humans. After all, he lost his daughter to one for a while.”

“Until he called her home.”

“Yes, well, she didn't come running, if you catch my meaning.”

“I thought she had to go?”

“She did. Eventually. She put it off for as long as possible. She didn't want to leave either of you.”

“But she did.”

“Are you getting pouty again?” Nevan rolled his eyes.

“You need to learn how to look for the positives in life instead of focusing on the negatives. Yes, your mother left when you were young. But she also left you a way to contact her and then she sent you me.” Nevan waved at himself.

“I am the greatest gift you could ever receive. And not just because of my handsome face. I will make you the most powerful man in this kingdom. Maybe even in all the human realm.”

Xander sighed. “I just want—”

“Yes, yes. You want to be free of your stepmother. I know.”

“I was going to say I just want my mother back. But yes, that too.”

Nevan stared at Xander. Finally, he said, “I can't give you your mother, but I can free you, Xander. And I can make sure that no one ever abuses you again, even when I'm not around.”

“How will you do that?”

“Weren't you listening? By making you powerful enough to defend yourself.”

Xander grinned. “That's good enough for me, Nevan. ”

“Oh, being the most powerful man on the planet is good enough for you? Well, I'm so pleased I can accommodate you, Your Highness.”

“Thank you, Nevan.”

Nevan snorted a laugh. “You're welcome, kid.”