Page 24

Chapter thirteen

Protection

R ai was appalled.

He had wasted no time. Immediately upon entering his room, he’d used his phone to search Google for protection . Because whatever protection Poppy needed, it was not what he’d thought it was, and it was clearly a matter of life or death.

The first definition Google had delivered was the action of protecting, or the state of being protected with the example the B vitamins give protection against infection.

Rai had frowned. That was what he’d thought it meant, although he had thought more of battle than vitamins, but it clearly was not what Poppy had intended.

The second definition had been even less applicable.

The practice of paying money to criminals so as to prevent them from attacking oneself or one's property. He had all the money necessary to pay off any criminals. That could not possibly be what she’d intended.

If Poppy had indeed had a problem with criminals, it would have had nothing to do with them making love.

He’d tapped on see more and skimmed the results.

No, definitely no, probably no… Ah! There it was.

Measures taken to prevent conception or sexually transmitted infection during sexual activity, especially the use of a condom.

She had spoken of not wanting a baby—which was ridiculous; everyone knew a child would only result if both parents desired to reproduce and their willing magic entwined to weave a new soul—and there was that mysterious word she had spoken. Condom.

So he’d clicked on that link. It was amazing, this internet. Once he’d learned to avoid pornography, which bored him, it had proven most useful.

He read the definition eagerly, certain it held the secret to Poppy’s affection.

A thin rubber sheath worn on a man's penis during sexual intercourse as a contraceptive or as a protection against infection.

A sheath? Like…like a sword? He’d frowned, trying to picture it.

He knew of rubber—it was what they used to make balls that bounced, sometimes with exciting freneticism.

He’d been fascinated by the small “super balls” that would ricochet from walls at astounding speeds, often breaking things in their path; there were still a few hundred in his faerie hoard.

Was his penis supposed to…bounce? However he envisioned it, it seemed wrong.

He’d paused briefly, then typed in how to use a condom and started scrolling through the results.

The word easy had caught his attention. Thank all the stars above!

He’d needed an easy solution. He’d clicked on the link and played the video.

Videos were his favorite thing about the internet.

He had never imagined how a small human device could tell moving, inspirational stories, teach a person how to fashion a facsimile of a whale out of string, and even show a person responding in real time to yet another video that they themself were watching.

It was so strange, and yet so compelling!

Now, after watching the first condom video, which had been cheerful and euphemistically animated, and yet another video, which had been a trifle more graphic, and reading a dozen different web pages about condoms, he felt almost ill.

How could it be true that human sex carried the danger of horrifying, fatal disease?

How could it be true that a child could be conceived without mutual magical accord?

It was unthinkable. Revolting. And apparently—according to a thorough search of the internet—true.

He’d seen too many disgusting images to consider it false.

Poppy risked such things as weeping sores, boils, pustules, and a wasting death every time she made love?

Why on earth would she even take that chance ?

Rai held his phone, staring at his two contacts.

Poppy was there, of course—Poppy Farber, she’d typed, which had given him a moment’s pause.

He’d known that humans used a second name to identify their family line, rather than identifying with their elements.

It had felt strangely intimate to be gifted with her second name, even though intellectually he knew it was a formality.

He couldn’t ask her about this. She would think him a fool, and he feared she already thought him too foolish for words. He’d sent her a text message, a simple one that he’d hoped would not offend.

Precious and glorious Poppy. It is Rai. I would be most pleased to hear from you at any time.

You are exceptionally strong and kind and beautiful, especially when you achieve ecstasy.

I yearn to hear your cries of blissful completion again, once I have mastered the use of the condom and am worthy to be your lover.

I apologize again for my detestable ignorance and pray that you will grant me the honor of your pleasure again.

I will dream of your lips this night. With highest regards, I remain yours, Rai.

She had not yet replied. Had he been rude? Or perhaps inept at his use of the language? He had checked his spelling quite rigorously.

Ofelia… She had been irritated with him when they’d parted, but in an affectionate way. He hoped. It was possible she was just kind and wished never to hear from him again.

He texted her anyway.

Ofelia, there is a thing I do not understand.

She replied almost instantly.

I am so very surprised.

May I ask?

You will, whether I wish it or no. So ask.

I wish to make love to Poppy. She desires protection against disease and reproduction. I have researched and still do not understand.

There was a long period when she did not reply. He filled the time by gazing at a photo he had taken of Poppy in the car. She was pensive, worried, inexpressibly beautiful, her face limned by the lights of the city.

Finally, a reply came.

I will regret this, but you may call me.

He eagerly pressed the green icon with the inchworm. It chimed only once before he heard Ofelia’s voice.

“What is the problem?” she asked, voice resigned .

“I do not understand,” he said into the phone. “Why would a human wish to make love when they might die of any of a hundred vile diseases?” He shuddered. The fae world had its share of plagues, but none that were shared through pleasure, and the images his research had turned up were revolting.

Ofelia sighed. “You are aware of the human lifespan?”

Rai frowned. “No. Why would I be?”

“Those not exposed to faerie are fortunate if they reach a century. And the portion of that already brief time during which they may safely sire or bear children is even smaller. As such, their bodies hunger for children, and thus for sex, in a way we do not.”

“I hunger for Poppy,” he said, feeling oddly defensive.

He had wanted her enough to stay, to seek out advice, to perfect his guise as a man.

He had even taught himself to tie a tie, despite how unpleasantly it bound his throat, so that he could appear a man of business when it was not the weekend. “I desire her most deeply.”

“Not,” Ofelia said, “in the way that a human man would. Wars have been fought, great leaders brought low, the course of history changed because of human desire.”

It seemed impossible to him, a level of passion greater than his, but Ofelia had thus far proven to be most wise. “Have you ever taken a human lover?”

“I see you have yet to learn tact,” she replied. “Some of us prefer to be discreet about our romantic adventures.”

“But you…have knowledge?” Rai did not bother to address the aspersions cast on his discretion. He understood tact well enough but simply preferred to be direct, especially when discussing things of importance.

“More knowledge than I wish to have, that is for certain.”

“I am wondering how it is with fae and humans, when they come together. Are fae susceptible to these diseases? Should I fear for my life?”

“No, and probably. You have not yet told her, I assume?”

“Not yet.”

“You should.”

“I will,” he grumbled. “But I must also know, what of children?”

“You have said you do not desire them.” There was a shrug in her voice.

“Yes, but it is different with humans. They can apparently conceive even if they do not wish to. I cannot burden Poppy with a child neither of us is prepared for.”

“Ah, then there is no worry. Fae magic is more powerful than human biology. She will bear no child unless you both are willing. ”

Rai sighed. “Then there is no need to learn how to use a condom. That eases my heart greatly, for while there were many diagrams and photos and words, they did not make sense to me.”

“No need,” Ofelia said acidly, “except your need to conceal your nature from her.”

“What?”

“You are masquerading as a human. How will you convince Poppy that you are both unable to impregnate her against her will and entirely free of the diseases she fears? You cannot bring her a doctor’s note.”

“I will tell her…” Rai could not think of a thing.

Ofelia laughed. “Exactly. Enjoy your diagrams.”

He groaned. It was a mystery to him, how there could be so many videos of sex online and yet when all he wanted was instruction on how to wear a condom, it was for some reason all about produce, bananas and eggplants with measuring tapes around them, or at best a vague silhouette of an erection.

If a human was about to make love, and a penis was to be involved, why be coy about using a penis to demonstrate proper condom use?

They presumably either owned a penis or were about to see one in the flesh, or else they would not need a condom. It was baffling.

“Can I presume you have no more questions for me this evening?” Ofelia’s voice was drier than the desert.

Rai thought for a moment. “Sometimes Poppy says things that…seem to have other words under them,” he said at last. “Or she will seem sad but then say words that make me laugh.”

Ofelia snorted. “Not everyone says every thought that crosses their mind, as you do. Not even all fae, and definitely not all humans. It is called subtext. Learn to read it.”

“How?”