Page 49 of Tangwystle

I turned from the hearth to see him buttoning up his shirt. “What?”

He kissed my forehead. “The Manor keeps flicking the lights. What’s going on in that mind of yours?”

Since he had mentioned it, Baz had openly talked more and more about how the Manor responded to me. “Every beck and call,” he’d sometimes say with a grin. I rolled my eyes each time, but I lovingly pressed my hand to the smooth wood or cold stone of the Manor, imbuing it with my thanks.

The Manor had sheltered me for a long time, but now it’d truly started to feel like my home. With the soft hint of magic wrapping around me and the way Gretel and Baz held me, I began to feel cherished.

Gretel tripped down the stairs. “Can we make cinnamon rolls for breakfast?”

Baz visibly brightened at the idea, but I scowled. “Have you not learned your lesson?”

A flush painted her cheeks, and I rolled my eyes.

“Porridge and fruit is so boring,” she moaned under her breath.

“It’s healthy,” I replied.

“Let’s eat outside,” Baz suggested.

“Really?” Gretel immediately jumped at the idea.

“But. . .” I glanced questioningly at him.

“I think it’ll be all right,” he said.

The side door opened on its own accord, and Gretel rushed out after grabbing a large blanket from the linen cupboard.

“Baz,” I said gently.

He pressed close enough that I could feel the heat of him against my back. “If anyone wanders over too closely, I’ll be able to hear it on the wind.”

He grabbed an apple and winked, following Gretel out. I blinked at him in wonder, not realizing just how skilled his magic was.

They had already started to corrupt me in so many ways because I filled a basket with fruit and bread and headed out to them.

Gretel gazed at the sun, sitting on the edge of the blanket. Baz settled behind me, bringing my back to his chest. We stayed under the tree, sunlight dappling through the branches.

“How are you feeling?” Baz asked, running a hand over my head.

Gretel said nothing, but I felt her curious stare.

“I am all right.” I cleared my throat. “And you?”

His chest vibrated as he laughed. “I think you know I’m all right. But I want to know how you feel? Really feel, fairy.”

The breeze drifted over me. Gretel tucked her knees to her chin as she waited for me to speak.

“It’s. . . it’s quite unconventional isn’t it,” I finally got out.

“But not wrong,” Baz said.

I agreed. “No, not wrong. . . just—” I peeked up at him. “How does it work?”

“I want us all to share a bed,” Gretel quickly interjected.

“But what if one of us gets mad?” I softly asked.

Baz held me tighter. “Then we talk it out.”