5. Olivia
CHAPTER 5
OLIVIA
I wake up with a start, my head fuzzy and my mouth feeling like it's stuffed with cotton. Where am I? This isn't my apartment. The room is... rustic? Cozy? And definitely not mine.
Oh god. It wasn't a dream.
I sit up, realizing I'm curled up in an oversized armchair. More than oversized. Supersized is more like it. There's a soft blanket draped over me, and ... is that a glass of milk on the side table?
"Good morning, sunshine!"
I nearly jump out of my skin at the sound of Kalen's voice. He's standing in the doorway, looking entirely too cheerful for ... whatever time it is. I Blush instantly. He is only wearing a towel around his waist.
Why does he have to be so muscular. And holy shit but does he look imposing with those horns.
And sexy.
This is full on down the rabbit hole stuff here, I decide. And on top of that full on mind in the gutter too. So, let’s see. Either my brain is going to explode, or my hormones might drive me to have some other kind of explosion, given half a chance.
Yup, I’ve totally lost it.
"Sleep well?" he asks, grinning.
That’s it. There is too much evidence that this, in fact, is all really happening. I can’t keep denying it.
I blink at him, trying to process. "I ... you're still ... um, real. Still a minotaur."
He chuckles. "Last time I checked, yeah. How about some breakfast? I make a mean stack of pancakes."
Pancakes. He's offering me pancakes. This muscle-bound mythological creature wants to make me breakfast.
God, but do I need to make a list.
Yes.
I feel a surge of confidence at the idea.
A very minor surge. But it’s something.
"Do you have a pencil and paper?" I ask, my voice sounding strained even to my own ears.
Kalen raises an eyebrow. "Uh, sure. But why do you need—"
"Please," I interrupt. "I just ... I need to organize my thoughts."
He shrugs and hands me a notepad and oversized pencil. I immediately start scribbling:
1)In some magical village?
2)I’m talking with a sexy Minotaur (Kalen) – in a towel?!!!!!!!
3)There are more monsters!!!
4)um...How did I get here?
5)How to get home?
6) They have Pancakes??
7) wtf!!!! !
"Feeling better?" Kalen asks, peering over my shoulder.
I clutch the list to my chest. "Not yet. But soon. It helps me think. Structure, you know?"
God, I can feel his heat, he’s so close.
And that primal scent. It’s all pine and leather and just musky goodness.
He shakes his head, with a little laugh, bringing me back to the conversation. "If you say so, sweetheart. Now, about those pancakes—"
I’m about to tell him to stop calling me ‘sweetheart,’ when I realize he means it. There is not an ounce of condescension there. He is nothing like the men I am used to. Definitely not like the professors. I almost laugh. No, he’s an entirely different beast. This time I do chuckle softly at my own pun.
Can you just focus on the situation of being lost in some magical dimension for two minutes, Liv?
Right.
"Wait," I interrupt again. "So, let’s pretend I am not nuts. Just for a second. Though I have to admit, the evidence is beginning to point to my sanity ...You said something about a town? So I am in a magical town, right? Theoretically speaking of course."
Kalen nods, looking a bit uneasy. "Yup, that’s right. Hidden magical Fablewood, home to all sorts of creatures you probably thought were just fairy tales."
I laugh, but it comes out more like a squeak. "Right. Magical, and hidden town. Of course. Why not?"
A thought strikes me. "But wait, is it in another dimension or something? How does it fit into... well, my world?"
Kalen grabs at one of his horns as he considers. "It's... complicated. Fablewood isn't in another dimension, exactly. It's here, in your world, just hidden by powerful magic. We're protected by ancient spells that keep us hidden from human eyes."
"So, it's like a secret magical village, like in a bona fide fairy tale? Right here on Earth?" I ask, fascinated and a little overwhelmed.
He considers for a moment before shrugging his shoulders. “Basically, yeah.”
“Then I can just go home? Where are we anyhow, on earth I mean?”
“Hey, not so fast. First of all, I have no idea where you came from. And secondly, as for our protections, the spells and wards are powerful, and while technically they are here to keep humans out, not in, leaving safely would prove difficult, if not impossible.
“What do you mean?”
“Like I said it’s complicated, but ... you know we just had our first human welcomed in, in like forever. Just last week, so it’s hard to know what the new rules are, but um ... it used to be humans were killed on sight in our town and leaving after learning our secret was definitely not an option.
“But I could sneak out then maybe? I mean, if I wanted to ... not that I do ...”
He looks troubled.
“Look, even with the other human having been accepted, sort of, I have no idea how you will be treated – but if anyone saw you trying to leave, you would be killed on sight. This is not something to be taken lightly. There are still those who do not trust your kind.
“Sounds a little complicated.”
“As I have been trying to tell you.”
I absorb this information, feeling a mix of awe, fear, and, surprisingly, relief. Despite the dire threats that may exist here, knowing Fablewood is part of my world feels reassuring .
He eyes me warily. "That was kind of a lot of information. Are you okay with all that?"
But I am actually more than okay with it. And am finding myself distracted once again.
I wish he would put some pants on.
At least I think I do ...
"Oh, absolutely," I say, my voice pitched a bit too high. "I'm just peachy. Woke up in a fairy tale town. Totally normal Friday ... Saturday? What day is it?"
"Saturday," Kalen confirms. "Look, I can only imagine you came here like the other human...
“The one with the leash fetish.”
“I never said ...”
“It was a joke.”
“Oh, right, well, I know this must all be a lot to take in-"
"A lot to take in?" I interrupt, feeling a manic energy building. "That's the understatement of the century! I'm in a town full of monsters! Mythical creatures! Things that shouldn't exist! And you’re only wearing a towel!”
Oh god, that last part ...
Unless I am imagining things he turns a bit red before grabbing a pair of what I assume are pants and backing out of the room without a word.
As he does, I return to the problem at hand.
Fine. I've already kinda accepted minotaurs are real, might as well throw magic and the rest of the lot into the mix.
A moment later he returns, regrettably fully clothed with what look a hell of a lot like tan Carhart work pants and a simple, yet finely made white button-down linen type shirt.
You and your big mouth. But he does clean up nice.
“Better?” He spreads his arms to show off the obvious fact that he is now dressed.
“I didn’t mean you had to change ... the towel was just ... um ... distracting.
Again, I feel that nervous heat spread over me as we lock eyes. For a second, I think he is going to step toward me, but he stops himself.
“Yes, right, well we wouldn’t want that ...”
Liv, you can’t bed a minotaur.
"So," I say, to break the unbearable tension, and trying to keep my voice steady, "What's it like? Your town, I mean."
His face lights up. Whether it is at the chance to talk about his home, or relief at the change in topic I can’t be sure. "I mean, I don’t know, it’s home. I like it. When I was younger, I lived just among my own kind. But we are few. I enjoy the village life here, and the company of so many other monsters. With you humans squeezing everyone – and every thing - out, villages and territories like this are often the only places we can be ourselves openly. We’ve got ogres, fairies, trolls, pixies. Hells, we even get some aliens passing through from time to time. Pretty curious fellows. Very funky dressers too—"
"I want to see it," I blurt out. I decide to ignore the comment about aliens. I don’t want to know.
Kalen's eyes widen. "See what?”
“I want to see Fabletown.”
“Oh, no, no, no, that's not a good idea. Humans aren't exactly ... welcome here. Not fully. Not yet ...That is, it's complicated."
I narrow my eyes. "You're hiding me, aren't you? From the other monsters?"
His brow furrows. "Isn’t that obvious? Of course, I am. It's for your own safety. And, well, mine. It’s just too soon. Look, just trust me, there’s a lot of moving parts.”
But even as I listen, a plan is forming in my mind. It's crazy, but in that sense, it fits the situation. "What if... what if I wasn't human?"
Kalen looks at me like I've grown a second head. "What are you talking about?"
I stand up, wobbling a bit on legs still stiff from sleep. "Why can’t we make a disguise? I saw all sorts of creatures in your bar last night. Surely, we could come up with something?"
He stares at me for a long moment, “Absolutely not. It’s far too risky. Just let me think a bit. My friend Thokk, when he gets back, he’ll-”
“Then I’ll scream!” I interrupt him.
“What? No! What are you talking about?” Now I seem to have his attention.
"Kalen," I say, my voice trembling slightly, "I know you're trying to protect me. But being cooped up here, not knowing what's out there? That's almost scarier than facing it head-on.”
A deep chuckle rumbles from Kalen's chest. "Well, well. Looks like my little human's got some fire in her after all. And here I thought I'd be spending the day coaxing you out from under the bed."
I feel my cheeks heat up. "I do have a little fire.” I say with a spark of defiance I didn’t intend. “But I'm still terrified. If I let fear stop me though, I'd never leave my apartment. And right now, I think seeing your world might actually help. Besides, if I really am in some crazy magical village, well, then I want to see as much as I can. And quite possibly catalog it.”
“Catalog it?”
“Of course. But first I just want to take a look. Come on, pleeeease?”
Kalen looks impressed. "Fine. That settles it. There’s much more to you than meets the eye.”
Why is he looking at me like that.
I like it.
I feel my body heating up inexplicably again. It’s like there are invisible sparks shooting back and forth between us.
Thank god – or too bad – he got dressed, cause I don’t know if I would have been able to stop my-
He interrupts my daydream .
“But how exactly do you propose we disguise you?"
Right. Focus Liv.
I glance around the room, my eyes landing on a massive fur coat hanging by the door. "What about that? I saw a bigfoot or something in your bar. I could be one of them ... just a very petite one. Little foot?"
My attempt at humor seems to go right over his big horned head. But, he strokes the well-manicured fur on his chin, considering. "You know, that might just work. Here, try it on. Now put this pelt over your head. Wait, let me cut some eye holes ... And you’re going to need a hat too ..."
Twenty minutes later, I'm staring at myself in a mirror. The fur coat swallows me, and is actually kind of flattering on my frame. And after a little work, the headpiece, with the hat on top of course, is almost convincing. All and all, I think I make a passable young bigfoot – as long as no one gets too close.
"Well?" I ask, turning to Kalen. "How do I look?"
He grins, and I try to ignore the way it makes my stomach flip. "I think you were on to something with that ‘Little Foot’ name. I think it will do the trick."
Great, well no time like the present. “Let’s go.”
As we walk through Fablewood, I'm torn between awe and anxiety. Every corner reveals something new and impossible – potions bubbling in the local apothecary, an honest to goodness centaur just clip clopping down the cobblestoned street, and oh, is that a troll?
"This is incredible," I breathe, trying to take it all in. "I can't believe it’s real."
Then I recall the twenty-sided die.
“Hey, do you guys play Dungeons and Dragons? I could swear last night a twenty-sided die landed by my head...”
“Dungeons and what? No but we play Cubicles and Chihuahuas. I am actually a cubicle master ...”
“A what! Cubicles and Chi- “
"Shh!" Kalen suddenly grabs my arm, pulling me close. "Act natural."
I follow his gaze to see what is obviously a sasquatch walking, with what I assume is his son. I don’t think daughter, though admittedly it is a little hard to tell with all that hair. Plus, the smaller one keeps glancing our way. I’d know that body language anywhere.
"Unless I’m mistaken, that little sasquatch is checking me out." I whisper, incredulous.
Kalen chuckles, but there's tension in his voice. "Looks like you've got an admirer, sweetheart. Good, so he bought it. Come on, let's get out of here before his dad sees me and wants to say ‘Hi.’”
The brief almost-encounter makes me forget what we were talking about as we continue through the town and I continue to take in mix of incredible ancient architecture and impossible creatures. And almost unconsciously I find myself clinging to Kalen’s side as well. The craziest part is that I have never felt so alive. I should be terrified, but instead I can barely stop myself from running up to examine practically every shop we pass...