Page 16 of Too Sexy for My Hooves (Inn or Out #2)

Carol and I waited until the front door closed behind Farley before speaking again. The Baba Yaga went first—no surprise there. “What in the seven hells was that centaur shit about?”

I blew out a breath. “Since I’m dealing with both literal and metaphorical centaur shit every day lately, you’re going to have to be more specific about what you’re referring to.”

Carol blinked at my flat, belligerent tone. “I was talking about Farley’s change of clothes, Selene. What kind of magic changes a person’s clothes at will? He doesn’t possess that sort of magic. And whatever it is, better not to try to change mine. I have specific tastes and an image to uphold.”

I lifted both arms in the air and looked around.

“It’s the magic of this place, Carol. Jezel likes to play dress-up with me and Farley, which she does every time the doorbell chimes or she gets a wild hair.

Yet I have no idea why the inn changed Farly just now, simply because I asked him to see Peace and Robin.

Maybe Jezel finds his boyishness charming, and she can’t resist him any better than I can. ”

Carol ran a hand through her hair. “This is beyond what I can take in. Let’s say the inn works in mysterious ways. Now, what was up with your caution about not hurting Prince Robin for? Did Farley hurt him?”

“No, I would never have allowed that to happen. The curse on Robin turns him into an irresistible centaur and makes all males hate him. I had to stop Farley from mauling him that first day, but he’s gotten that reaction totally under control now.

His father works miracles with those triplets of his. ”

Carol found a seat at the counter and dropped into it. “This is too much. Can I please have some tea?”

I laughed at her exasperation. It was a rare occurrence for The Baba Yaga to admit to being exhausted with her life, but in reality, everybody had their coping limits. Even magicals could only take so much. Right? Maybe I wasn’t a weenie witch after all.

“Let me get a fresh pot to make you some tea.” I ducked into the pantry and grabbed an unused teapot from a shelf holding an assortment of them.

“You don’t have to treat me like a guest, Selene. You can serve me from your regular pot.”

I chuckled. “No, I can’t. I’ve been using it to brew a special kind for the fairy queen’s spy. The iron might not bother you, but let’s not take any chances. I want you to be at full power in case Lady Meagan shows up while you’re here.”

Carol chuckled as I loaded my iron-pot tea on a tray to take upstairs. She chuckled louder when I added an assortment of cookies and cheese to it. Gertruda the Barracuda liked her evening snack. Indulging her helped my cause, so I was happy to oblige.

“The iron is giving the spy a low-grade headache, but I see no reason to starve her.”

“Are you trying to prevent the spy from being around the royals?”

“Yes, I am doing it on purpose. She came here specifically to harass Peace, and I’m not going to let her.

Peace and Robin are talking, flirting, and enjoying each other’s company for the first time in centuries.

Whatever happens between them here at the inn is their business, not the fairy queen’s.

Gertruda the Barracuda alluded to the fact that the queen has given up on seeing Robin as a proper suitor for her daughter. ”

I waved a hand and sent the tray upstairs. I raised my wand and held a finger to my lips to keep Carol silent. I poured tea from the new pot into a cup in front of Carol. She gave me a thumbs up.

“Gertruda?” I called.

A muffled voice came through the walls. “Yes, Selene?”

I winked at Carol as I talked. “I’m in the middle of some innkeeper duties, so I magically delivered your evening tea. Will you need anything else for an hour or two?”

“No, I’m fine. Thank you for sending more of that wonderful cheese. It is quite delicious. Is it local?”

“Yes, there’s a store in Assjacket where they sell local produce and dairy. Would you like me to procure some for you to take home?”

“That would be delightful.”

“Consider it done, then. I will add the cost to your room charges. We can settle up later.”

“Thank you, Selene.”

“My pleasure,” I said, before shutting off communication.

Carol grinned at me over her teacup. “So, back to my yet-to-be answered question.”

“I was able to disrupt the curse, but only for a short while. The fairy queen’s spy gave me a partial fix that I could brew into a spelled tea for him. Peace and Robin enjoyed a meal together as humans before he reverted to a centaur.”

“You’re hosting a spy at the inn?”

Carol’s tone was haughty, and I didn’t appreciate it. “With Jezel’s help, I constrained her. She’s only been out of her room once or twice. It’s hard to cause problems when you can’t get time alone with your targets.”

Carol grinned widely at me. “You and the ghost make a good team.”

“Doesn’t matter if we do,” I said, trying to sound as matter-of-fact as I could. “I’m leaving when my fifty days here are up. If you extend my sentence again, I’m going to report you to the Council of Witches. It’s not fair for me to be stuck here and for my tormentors to be running loose.”

Sighing, Carol nodded. “You’re right. Consider the rest of your sentence remitted.” She waved a hand while sipping. Magical freedom felt like a cool breeze blowing away the heat of all my anxiety.

I flexed my hands as my natural magic returned with full force. My gaze narrowed as I stared at her. “You reduced my magic.”

The most badass magical in the world looked unrepentant. “You would have left if I hadn’t nullified it a bit. You’re a force of your own, Selene, which is why I’ve asked you to help me so often. Not all magicals use their magic as deftly as you do. You think fast and react well.”

“Should I be flattered or pissed at you?”

Carol laughed and shrugged. “Take your pick. Both are reasonable responses.”

I set the wand on the counter, put my face in my hands, and moaned. “Did you imprison me because you thought I did something wrong? Or because you wanted my help and feared asking?”

“Mostly, I did it for Farley so he could get to know you. I figured out years ago that you were the woman he kept dreaming about. However, you were with Ethan then and in no place to deal kindly with my nephew. Now I realize that I should have introduced you two anyway because it wasn’t my place to intervene.

Farley might have ended things between you and Ethan before Lady Meagan attempted her coup.

But I’m glad you were here to deal with both of them. ”

I grunted. Knowing Farley’s innate goodness now, I couldn’t fault her for wanting to protect him from my crazy relationship with Ethan.

I felt the need to shield him from everything that came before I knew him.

Maybe I should be flattered that Carol thought I was deserving of him, even after I let Ethan use me.

I grunted as I refilled her tea. “I get why you did it, so I’m not mad.

Farley is a great person who deserves to be protected.

If I could get the fairy queen to have the same epiphany about her daughter, my favorite royal couple might have an actual chance of working out.

They’re under too much pressure from their family. Goddess, I’m so blessed in my parents.”

“My parents would never have won any parent-of-the-year prize, but I was blessed with others who raised me well,” Carol said.

Carol’s parents had disowned her because of her magic. It was a common, and unfortunately, true rumor that no one talked about out of respect. I really needed to call my parents and tell them how much I appreciated them.

Letting the rest of my anger slip away, I put two cookies next to Carol’s teacup. She smiled and dipped one into her cup. I allowed a moment of silence to celebrate our reconciliation—and my newfound freedom.

After she devoured the first cookie, Carol sighed. “Will you stay until the current guests leave? I suppose I’ll have to look for an innkeeper.”

“I’ll stay, but... Jezel said the inn finds its own keeper when it wants one. It may revert to simply being a vacation house for you after I leave.”

Carol shrugged again. “Fine. That will save me the trouble of finding your replacement. I guess I’ll keep fixing it up and see what happens. When I discovered this place, I was compelled to fix it.”

“Feeling compelled is the perfect word to describe the main magic of this inn.”

“The last time I was this compelled, it was to date a fairy prince I knew in school. Iren was destined to become someone else’s life mate, but I never forgot our time together. He was a great person, and I was made better by knowing him.”

I nodded and smiled. “That’s how I feel about meeting Farley.

He makes me laugh and makes me a better person.

” It was true, so I didn’t mind saying it to anyone who would listen.

“This inn is great too, Carol. You’re right to want to save it.

Now and again, I’ve felt that way about it too.

I definitely feel like that about its guests.

Helping them has been the upside to my incarceration. ”

Carol’s smile was warm. “Is being an innkeeper hard work? I could see it being my retirement job in another century or two.”

“Well, it’s challenging, but the magical rush is nice. Jezel, the resident ghost here, infused this place with all her magic when she died. She’s been a piece of work to deal with, but lately, I’ve concluded that she’s not completely set in her ways.”

“Yes, I saw the pilgrim outfit she dressed Farley in last time I was here. It was hideous, especially those buckle shoes.”

I laughed at the memory. “Yes, well, she and I had a heart-to-heart about those vintage clothes she favors. My new innkeeper outfit looks much better as well. It’s actually a type of magical armor.” I paused in my story. “Can I ask you a personal question?”

“You can ask me anything,” Carol said, dipping her last bite of cookie into her tea. “I reserve the right not to answer.”

“It’s not that personal. Plus, it’s not about you and Fabio.”

“Okay, then let’s hear it,” Carol said.

“Is Zelda next in line to be the witch protectress? I’ve never met her, but from Farley’s stories, it seems like she’s the one most qualified.

Farley has shared many stories about Hildy.

Thinking of all you and Hildy went through together before you became The Baba Yaga, I was just curious about who could follow in your footsteps. ”

The current witch protectress smiled at me. “Fabio’s daughter is definitely in the running. She’s wild-natured. Mac and the kids have matured her. She’s closer to being the right person than she ever was. Why do you ask, though? Are you interested in the job?”

“Me? No way,” I exclaimed in shock, before I burst out laughing. “I’ve seen what you do. So, no, I’m not interested. But I do enjoy working with you. I hope you continue to call on me when you need my help.”

Carol snorted. “And I hope you don’t ever feel the need to do to Farley what you did to Ethan.”

I chuckled low. “No worries with that. Farley is nothing like Ethan. We probably won’t work out long term, but that’s on me, Carol.

Love isn’t in my DNA, but your nephew is honorable.

He’s also incredibly easy to like. Whatever happens between us, I will do my best to remain his friend. And I will protect him with my life.”

Carol stood and dusted the cookie crumbs from her hands. “Well, now that confession time is over, I need to get back to looking for Lady Meagan. Thanks for the tea. Watch your back, Selene.”

“One more question before you go. Did it hurt when the inn summoned you?”

Her face wrinkled as she considered it. “It irritated me, but no, it was painless, except for the momentary weakness. The lack of control wasn’t enjoyable, but it hindered nothing magical I did. Are you thinking of summoning me again?”

“No, not you,” I said.

“Who then?” Carol asked.

I clacked my teeth and grimaced. “I think I might summon the fairy queen. If I talk fast enough, she’ll have little choice except to hear me out.”

“Abducting the fairy queen might net you time in a fairy dungeon, but it sounds exciting. Congratulations, Selene. You’re becoming an even bigger shit starter than me. The warlock posse is going to love hearing about it. I think they have a betting pool going on what happens to you.”

“Are they betting on whether or not I stay alive?”

“No,” Carol said with a smile. “They’re betting on whether or not you stay here.”

“Well, I’m not staying,” I said, sinking as much finality as possible into my tone. “Being an innkeeper is not the life I’ve dreamed of.”

“Being The Baba Yaga was my dream, but the reality of it is nothing like I expected. Don’t say no without giving it some thought.

You were magical enough to stop a fairy army even though I’d dialed down your own magic.

Imagine how much power you would accrue if you stayed on here.

Imagine all the adventures you would have. ”

“But it’s your inn...” I reminded her.

Carol waved a hand. “It was an inn in need of help, and I answered. We both know I don’t have time for it. Gotta run. Bye.”

A burst of purple glitter later, and The Baba Yaga vanished. I picked up my wand, waved at the glitter, and sent it flying to fall into the trash. And I managed to do it before it turned to dirt.

Would I feel any different about staying if I owned the inn?

That was a possibility I hadn’t allowed myself even to consider.

Completing the renovation would still take an enormous amount of work.

If I sold my current house and Carol offered me a good deal, I might be able to renovate a couple more rooms. The dining room and parlor leaped to mind.

Paul and his mates would probably do the work if I asked.

It wasn’t like I would be tied to the place forever if I chose to stay.

When there were no guests, I could do whatever I wanted.

And I’d be close to Farley until we got tired of each other.

My parents and siblings could come and stay at the inn during the holidays.

I’m sure there were many negatives to consider, but none leaped to mind.

How crazy was I for even giving the idea some serious thought? Didn’t I already have an herb sales business and routine part-time work? Goddess knew, I had supported myself all these years in a variety of ways. What would change outside of my address?

I flexed my hand and watched my magic spark. How could I not have known Carol had dialed it down?

I enjoyed the inn’s guests, and I for sure wasn’t ready to put all those miles between Farley and me yet. Maybe I could stay for a short while—just until I got bored.

Goddess, I truly hoped Jezel wasn’t aware of what I was thinking. I didn’t want her to believe that she could talk me into other things if I stayed.