Page 12 of Pointy Ears and Purple Glitter (Quirk of Fate #5)

Tynan woke up slowly. As he stretched out his arms, he realized that for the first time, in a very long time, he actually felt content.

He looked slightly to his right. Malik was lying sprawled across the divan, naked as the day he was born, snoring softly.

His features were relaxed in sleep – in other words, not much different from when he was awake, except his brilliant blue eyes were closed.

Tynan studied the man that he was now tied to for the rest of their existence. Malik wasn’t pretty, but he had a wide-open face, a generous face, Tynan thought, that went with a generous soul.

Malik was big and broad. He looked like the type of man who could shelter Tynan from any storm, fight off a dozen demons, cook up a steak – all at the same time - and not even break a sweat.

Tynan thought back to when Malik took care of his attackers.

No unnecessary violence, Malik just did what he had to do, which was to get the attackers to leave him alone.

The same man who held him when he’d cried and hadn’t batted an eyelid when Tynan completely renovated his living space – a man who made my body sing in a way I never thought possible.

Tynan let out a long sigh. The perfect combination of qualities in a mate, in other words.

Tynan mentally checked off how he was feeling. He ached - deliciously so – in a number of interesting places. Tynan’s previous sexual escapades had been nothing more than a few fumbles while he was still on the fae realm.

Two different men and one woman had once been horny enough to overlook that rubbing off on Tynan would probably infect them with the same magical ineptitude they believed he was born with.

Done in the dark, “don’t ever tell anyone about this,” rang in his ears, and each time, Tynan was left feeling used and useless.

By the time he’d arrived on Earth, Tynan had accepted that sexual intimacy wasn’t going to be a part of his life.

Until Malik. Tynan blushed and quickly checked that his mate was still asleep.

He’d never felt as though he fit anywhere.

But then along came Malik, saving him in his time of need, and then proving in the light of day to be a caring and genuinely amazing man.

For the first time in forever, Tynan felt as if he was finally on the right path, and this time he wasn’t alone.

He looked up and around the room. It was getting dark. Sparky was sleeping on the kitchen counter, his head tucked under his wing, probably picking that spot so he could cadge more cake from the first person who went into the kitchen.

Tynan took in the purple wall hangings and cream carpet. He was a fan of the divan – it was wide enough to share with his mate without feeling as if he was at risk of falling off it. But Malik’s décor was better, he decided.

The white walls, the big painting, the giant television screen and the rugs on the floor instead of that carpet.

They all gave an impression of a light, bright, and welcoming place.

The purple was a little dark, and while romantic – at least his magic must’ve thought so – it would be quite gloomy at breakfast time.

The man’s a mechanic, he thought. There’s no way that carpet’s going to be suitable. Could I? Should I?

He looked down his outstretched arm to his long, slender fingers.

Is my magic more attuned to me now? He thought of how his magic had been so devilishly helpful in his first major sexual experience.

There was something exhilarating about how his magic was attuned to his thoughts and it had worked.

Tynan was almost as thrilled about that as he was about the fact he’d been claimed.

But just as Malik’s bite had made him feel right for the first time, his magic felt more settled, too.

There was none of his ever-present anxiety.

He wasn’t instantly worrying if his body looked all right, if he should get dressed, if he should leave before Malik woke up in case his rhino thought claiming him was a mistake.

It was as if – and Tynan quietly chuckled at the idea – that when Malik had spread his spunk all over Tynan’s insides, he’d infused Tynan with a bit of his calm.

My mate accepts me. Pointy ears and purple glitter and all. That was a heady feeling.

Tynan stretched out his shoulders. His wings had receded as he’d dozed, which was a blessing. Rolling on them when they were fully extended could be quite painful, a bit like bending a finger back the wrong way. But his wings had come out to celebrate his claiming – another beautiful moment.

I spent so much of my time on Earth suppressing the fact that I’m fae, which in hindsight was really silly.

I was never going to be human. But now it was as if Tynan could embrace his true self again.

Malik accepted him, and maybe it’s time I accepted me, too.

That weird feeling Tynan had in his chest was hope, he realized.

Tynan had hope, perhaps for the first time in his life.

I’m going to put Malik’s living space back the way it was – except the divan.

Tynan imagined himself trying to revamp the apartment again, including the divan.

Malik could end up on the floor. Normally, that worry would stop Tynan from even trying, but he remembered what Malik had said about him and his magic being one. I’ve got to try.

Tynan knew it just took one flick of his hand to change the décor. He’d seen every member of his family doing it before. Think of what you want, have the intent behind it, and flick.

He thought of Malik’s room the way it was when he’d first walked into it – the walls, the painting, and the floors. And then he flicked his fingers at the wall. One flick.

It was like magic, because of course that’s what it was, but Tynan’s eyes widened as the purple velvet on the walls fell away, leaving pristine white walls.

Tynan glanced up and saw that the big artwork was back on the wall, and the original coffee table was sitting in its rightful place.

The only thing the magic hadn’t touched was the divan that Malik and he were lying on.

Oh, my gods. It worked. Not a fleck of purple glitter anywhere. Giddy with excitement, Tynan wanted to wake Malik just so he could show him. But no, I’ll make him dinner first. Something fit for my mate that we can share.

Think about it first. Don’t rush it. Focusing on the coffee table, Tynan imagined a sumptuous spread. He was sure shifters needed a lot of food, and Malik was bigger than most. He could feel his magic hovering, as if waiting for his command. I can do this.

Tynan waited until every detail was clear in his mind.

Two roast meats – beef and chicken, because Tynan wasn’t sure what Malik would prefer.

Crispy roast potatoes, because they were a personal favorite of his, and a steaming bowl of mixed vegetables.

Plates, cutlery, a basket of bread rolls.

Tynan wanted to be sure he thought of everything, and then he flicked his wrist in the direction of the table.

Yes! Tynan gave a silent fist bump. The coffee table had expanded. His magic clearly thought more space was needed for all the food, but it was all there. There were even a couple of napkins resting on the side of the table, waiting to be used.

“Yay, dinner,” Sparky squawked, flying over to perch on the edge of the table.

“Wait, what?” Malik stirred, sitting up and smiling as he looked at Tynan. Then his eyes widened, and Tynan realized he’d noticed the walls.

“I did it. My magic’s working! I got your walls back and there’s a roast dinner on the coffee table. Not one speck of glitter anywhere. I did it.”

“It smells amazing. So do you.” Malik held out his arm, and Tynan moved in for a cuddle.

“I hope you like roast,” he said, patting Malik’s stomach as he heard it gurgling.

“I’ll eat anything you make for me, my mate,” Malik said. “All you have to do is kiss me first.”

As if that was a hardship. Tynan tilted up his face, pushing his lips forward.

“Better be quick if you expect anything to eat. This bird is hungry. Who’s going to carve the meat?” Sparky asked, but Tynan ignored his feathered friend as Malik’s lips met his.