Page 19 of Pointy Ears and Purple Glitter (Quirk of Fate #5)

“Your rhino’s not likely to be huffing out purple glitter fireworks, so you’ve got nothing to be worried about.” Tynan squeezed his hand. “Show me the other side of yourself.”

Malik nodded then began removing his clothes, folding each item and placing them on a nearby stump. When he stood naked in the moonlight, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

The transformation was both fascinating and slightly unsettling to watch.

Malik’s skin thickened and darkened, his body expanding and reshaping.

His face elongated, a distinctive horn Tynan knew from the mark on his hip forming on Malik’s nose, followed by a smaller one behind it.

Within moments, where Malik had stood now was an enormous rhino, at least six feet tall at the shoulder, with the same intense blue eyes Tynan knew so well.

“Holy feathered fruitcakes,” Sparky whispered from Tynan’s shoulder. “That’s a lot of rhino.”

Tynan approached slowly, hand outstretched. The rhino – Malik -lowered his massive head, allowing Tynan to place his palm against the rough skin.

“You’re magnificent,” Tynan whispered, feeling the warmth and power radiating from his mate.

Purple sparkles drifted from his fingertips where they touched Malik’s hide, but for once, Tynan didn’t worry about his magic.

It seemed right somehow that his magic recognized and celebrated the other form of his mate.

The rhino made a rumbling sound deep in his chest, nudging Tynan gently with his snout. Despite his enormous size and the dangerous-looking horns, Tynan felt completely safe. This was still Malik - his protector, his mate.

“Go on,” Tynan encouraged, stepping back. “Run. Be free. I’ll be here when you’re ready to come back.”

With what seemed like a nod of acknowledgment, the rhino turned and trotted into the meadow, picking up speed until he was running with surprising grace across the open space, pale moonlight gleaming off his dark hide.

“Well” - Sparky settled more comfortably on Tynan’s shoulder - “that’s not something you see every day.”

Tynan laughed, feeling joy bubble up inside him as he watched his mate embrace his wild nature. “No, it certainly isn’t.”

/~/~/~/~/

The sun was high in the sky when Tynan woke up, Malik’s arm draped across his chest, heavy and warm. For a moment, Tynan simply savored the sensation - being held, being wanted, being exactly where he belonged. He was still getting used to feeling so accepted by someone so special.

“Morning,” Malik mumbled against his neck, pulling him closer.

“Morning,” Tynan replied, running his fingers along Malik’s forearm. “It’s beautiful out there. So quiet and peaceful.”

Malik propped himself up on one elbow and looked out the window. “It’s a perfect day for flying. Very little wind.”

The suggestion sent a thrill through Tynan. “You think I should? I know we talked about it, but really? Outside in the open.”

“I think you deserve to stretch your wings as much as I needed to stretch my legs last night.” Malik pressed a kiss to Tynan’s shoulder. “No one comes out here. You’d be safe.”

Tynan sat up, his excitement building. “I haven’t properly flown in…well, since I left the fae realm.”

“Then it’s definitely time.” Malik slid out of bed. “But first, food.”

Sparky appeared at the window, tapping his beak against the glass. “Food? Did someone mention food? Let me in!”

Tynan laughed and waved his hand, the window sliding open to admit the raven. “Good morning to you, too, Sparky.”

“It would be better with breakfast,” the bird replied, settling on the bedpost.

“I can make something…” Malik started, but Tynan shook his head.

“Let me.” He concentrated, feeling his magic flowing smoothly, responding readily to his intent.

His magic was so much more responsive without that ever-present anxiety.

With a gesture, the small dining table in the living area was suddenly laden with a perfect breakfast spread - fluffy pancakes, crisp bacon, fresh fruit, and steaming coffee.

“Show-off,” Sparky muttered, but he was flying toward a plate of bacon.

Malik whistled low. “Now that’s what I call service.”

After breakfast, they wandered out to the clearing where Malik had shifted the night before. The morning sun cast dappled light through the trees, warming the grass. Birds called from the forest, and somewhere in the distance, water burbled over rocks.

“So,” Malik said, slipping his T-shirt over his head, “ready for round two?”

“You’re shifting again?” Tynan asked.

“Well, Sparky keeps complaining he didn’t get a good look last night.” Malik grinned, continuing to undress. “And I thought you might like a running partner - or rather, a flying partner.”

Sparky bobbed his head enthusiastically. “I want a picture of me on the rhino’s back. For bragging rights.”

“Bragging to whom?” Tynan laughed. “Who are you planning to tell about this?”

“I have feathered friends who know how to keep their beaks shut,” Sparky snapped.

“He means the crows at the park in the main part of town who steal his peanuts,” Tynan fake-whispered to Malik.

“I don’t eat peanuts and they’re my frenemies,” Sparky corrected. “They’d be very impressed.”

Malik chuckled. “Well, we can’t disappoint Sparky’s frenemies, can we?”

The transformation was no less impressive in daylight. Tynan watched in awe as Malik’s body shifted and grew, his skin darkening and thickening, until the massive rhino stood before them.

“Amazing,” Tynan breathed. “I don’t think I’ll ever tire of seeing you like this.”

“Yeah, yeah, very impressive, blah, blah, blah.” Sparky fluttered around excitedly. “Now, get your phone, Tynan. I need documentation!”

Tynan pulled out his phone, approaching the rhino. “You sure about this, Malik?”

The rhino nodded, lowering himself slightly to make it easier for Sparky to hop onto his broad back.

“This is the best day of my life,” Sparky declared, settling between Malik’s shoulders and puffing out his chest. “Take the picture! Fill your phone with pictures!”

Tynan obliged, snapping photo after photo of an admittedly unusual sight. A large black raven preening atop a rhinoceros, striking various poses that Tynan could only describe as avian modeling.

“Get one with me pointing dramatically with my wing,” Sparky instructed. “Now one where I look pensively into the distance. Now one where I…”

“You’ve been learning too much about influencer content from Ian,” Tynan laughed. “I think we’ve got enough. Let Malik run for a bit.”

“Fine,” Sparky conceded, hopping back to Tynan’s shoulder. “But those are definitely going to be my profile pictures if I ever get social media.”

The rhino made a rumbling sound that Tynan recognized as Malik’s laugh.

“Your turn,” Sparky nudged Tynan’s ear. “Show off those fancy wings.”

Tynan hesitated only briefly before removing his shirt.

He knew Malik loved his wings, but it had been years since he’d let them be seen outside of his bedroom.

His wings unfurled from his back, shimmering with iridescent colors in the sunlight - blues and purples that seemed to shift and change with every movement.

The rhino made a sound of appreciation, moving closer to examine the wings with gentle curiosity.

“They’re sensitive,” Tynan explained as Malik’s breath tickled the edges of them. “Having to keep them hidden, just like your sweet rhino - I know it’s easier that way. But here…”

He extended them fully, feeling muscles that had been confined for too long flex and strengthen. With a powerful downward stroke, he lifted off the ground, hovering a few feet above the grass.

“I love this!” he called down to Malik, purple sparkles trailing from his wingtips as he flew in a small circle.

The rhino pawed at the ground, then took off running across the meadow.

“I think that’s an invitation,” Sparky observed. “I’ll race you. First one to that huge pine. Three, two, one, I’m gone.” He flew off.

Tynan grinned and soared higher, feeling the rush of wind against his face as he followed Malik’s powerful form below. His magic responded to his joy, leaving trails of sparkling light behind him as he dipped and swooped through the air.

They were outside for hours - Malik running the perimeter of his property while Tynan flew above, occasionally diving low enough to brush his fingertips against Malik’s back before shooting skyward again.

Sparky joined them for a while before finding a sunny branch to nap on, claiming their “excessive enthusiasm for exercise” was exhausting to watch.

By midday, they collapsed together in the soft grass beside a small stream, Malik having shifted back to human form. Tynan’s wings stretched out behind him as he lay on his stomach, watching minnows dart through the clear water.

“That was…” Tynan searched for words.

“Freedom,” Malik finished for him, running a hand along Tynan’s wing. “That’s what it feels like. Total and absolute freedom.”