Chapter 6
Nate
The past twenty-four hours have been wild. I stole puppies, almost died, lost my job, broke up with my boyfriend, then the guy I dreamed of appeared to defend my honor, and now we’re both on the run—on horseback—after we busted the windows of Richie’s car.
If my grandma knew what I’ve been doing, she would send me to bed hungry.
I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I don’t cuss. I don’t break the law. I’ve never even had a single speeding or parking ticket, yet here I am, trying to focus on the potential consequences of my crimes, not on the sense of satisfaction blooming in my chest.
There were witnesses. I’ll probably get a visit from the cops and have to pay damages for Richie’s property, but right now I’m floating on cloud nine, with my knight in shining armor right behind me.
I start laughing so hard tears roll down my face, because this whole situation is ridiculous, and because I like everything about it, even the way Tristan threatened Richie’s frat brothers with a prop sword.
And how did he even create that shadow spike effect?
There will be consequences all right, but instead of worrying about tomorrow, can I not just ride this high for once, imagining that this redheaded man really is an elven prince?
We’re safe for now, as we managed to leave the mob of bros in costume in the dust, so I can finally speak to the mysterious man from my dream who is very, very real.
“So how much do you lift? You hauled me up like I’m a child.”
He’s holding the reins with one hand, while he’s wrapped his other arm around my waist. Maybe it’s a little pathetic how giddy I feel about the openness with which he touches me in public, but don’t I deserve a bit of a mood boost after how things went down with Richie?
“I am fairy active, but rather than constantly working on my sword form, I prefer doing something that’s of use to others.
Cows sometimes dig up boulders in the fields, so I help push those back, or I roll the odd leviathan hatchling back into the sea.
The adults are dangerous but serve their purpose so we don’t kill them.
I’m not sure how much they weigh though.
Certainly more than you.” He laughs and nuzzles my ear as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.
I’m no virgin, but flirting doesn’t come naturally to me.
I’m the kind of person who needs to be told they’re being flirted with, but not with this guy, who’s so insanely committed to the elf shtick.
You only live once, and he is… handsome, gentlemanly, charming.
Why would I not play along this one night, and be the prince of his dreams in my fancy stolen cloak?
The horse is clomping forward along the peaceful street. Since it’s Halloween, most people won’t find the way we look alarming, especially with the college campus nearby, so I let myself relax, because it’s not like the police will be wasting time on me tonight.
I lean back against his sturdy chest and smirk as my stomach growls. “Mm… leviathans. Are they edible?”
“Not all parts of them, but I have tried leviathan tongue in the past and it was… chewy. I wouldn’t recommend it. What’s a food you like?”
I stroke his leather-covered forearm and grin at the sight of the neon sign of the small local pizza chain peeking at us from afar. “Do you want to try my favorite food, which also happens to be the most human food ever?” I ask, pointing to it.
My heart beats faster when he shifts, and the crab engraved at the front of his cuirass rubs my spine.
He must be some kind of historical reenactor to own real armor.
Or maybe works in movies, and that’s how he has access to special effects as amazing as the dark wings.
Those looked so lifelike I was almost fooled…
“Oh yes! What is it? I’ve heard your cows give white milk? I’ve yet to try that.”
He’s hilarious.
“It’s your lucky day. Pizza usually comes with cheese, on top of all the other ingredients.
How about it? My treat,” I tell him, ever more emboldened.
I’ve never really hooked up with anyone I didn’t know, but don’t I deserve this sliver of romance after the bull crap Richie put me through?
Tristan seems like a genuinely nice, caring person, and even if he’s just passing through, there’s nothing wrong about making memories with someone who won’t be in my life forever…
“How generous. Polite, sweet, and with a desire for revenge? This must be my lucky night. Pizza!” Tristan yells and holds his sword high.
“I do not have a desire for revenge! You goaded me into it,” I say and slap his thigh, even though it did feel good. It would have only been better if Richie didn’t have any proof to go after me. I’m probably not that lucky.
Tristan laughs and hugs me close. “I have no sympathy for villains who get what they deserve. If there is no one else who needs to experience your wrath, you will leave this realm with a light heart.”
“Well, I’m not dying yet,” I tell him as we approach the pizza place.
With booze in my veins, it’s somehow easier to let go of my usual inhibitions and lean into his wooing.
I don’t think I’ve ever been picked up with quite this much style.
I’ve been burned so many times, but I want to believe in the innate goodness of all people, and he has been so kind tonight.
I want to get to know him better.
I want him to kiss me, and then take me away on this horse, so he can make love to me deep in the woods as fireflies float around us.
I really am hopeless.
“And I’m not dying until I get to taste pizza.”
Tristan sounds excited like a kid on his birthday when we stop in front of the restaurant. It’s small, and nothing fancy, tucked between a 24/7 tattoo parlor and a laundrette, but I’ve been here before, and their food is great, with more than one vegan option.
Tristan gets to the ground first, and the bright pink neon gives his skin an otherworldly glow as he extends his arm to me. While I’ve been on a horse many times, I have to admit Stone is unusually tall. I wonder what breed he is, because he doesn’t resemble any stallion I’ve seen.
Tristan’s hand is warm in mine, and as the silhouettes of late-night customers loom on the edges of my vision, I imagine what they are seeing—a real-life knight with a mane of red hair helping me off a horse, as if I’m someone important, to him at least. As if I’m handsome and worthy of all this attention.
By the time my feet touch the ground, I’m so unfocused I lean right into the symbol on Tristan’s chest. “So… I don’t know how hungry you are, but if you’re okay with vegan ingredients, we could also share the pizza,” I say as he hitches his giant mount to the hydrant.
Tristan’s golden eyes convey… I’m not sure what exactly, but he frowns a little, sizing me up from head to toe. “And… how large exactly is the pizza?”
I stall and lead the way inside. “Come and pick,” I tell him, squinting when the bright lights blind me upon entry.
This place used to be a diner, and it’s retained much of the old decor, although with a new coat of paint.
Four pans hang on the walls to represent the sizes of the pies, and I gesture at them with a shy smile.
“Which one do you want? I suppose if you want to try cow’s milk cheese, we do need to get separate ones. ”
He stalls with his eyebrows raised, already pointing at the biggest one.
Going by the size of him, I should have known.
“Do you not like the cheese? Is this a trick food? We have a fruit called fool’s apple.
It looks great but turns rotten as soon as you bite into it.
I don’t like it.” Tristan seems extremely serious about this, so whether it’s part of his shtick or not, I’d rather reassure him.
“No, I’m just vegan, which means I don’t use any animal-derived products. No meat, nor milk, or leather, or anything like that. But don’t mind me. Pick whatever,” I say encouragingly, because the last thing I want is him getting too wrapped up in trying to impress me.
The way he casually strokes my nape sends a shiver down my spine. “You’re sure? It’s not a trick?”
God. He’s adorable. “It’s not a trick.”
Tristan spends the next ten minutes discussing the options with the cashier.
This has to be an act, but I am having the time of my life watching him attempt to bluff through his supposed lack of knowledge about human food.
‘Oh, no, of course he knows what pepperoni is. He just misheard the name,’ and so on.
It gives me the time to get a good long look at him in the bright light.
His ears are especially intriguing. I spot no seam in the prosthetic, and while his hair must be a wig, it seems perfectly natural.
Since the wings erupted out of nowhere, they might be a hologram.
But then where’s the projector? And how did the ball bounce off a hologram in the first place?
I am so confused. But when he’s finally satisfied with his order, we take our beer (because why the heck not?) and sit in one of the spacious booths.
It’s quite a busy evening, with many of the customers arriving in costume to grab their pizzas to go, but I’m happy enough with our little bit of privacy at the back.
“So… this might sound strange,” I start when his foot touches mine under the table. “But have we seen each other before? Because I swear I saw you in a dream last night, but this must be because I spotted you at the store, or the veterinary clinic…”
Tristan hums and takes off his gloves, which distracts me from my question. I have a thing for big manly hands, and his are just perfect. His short, well-groomed nails are painted black.
“Technically, it was your soul that encountered me last night, but I’m glad it was tangible enough to touch.”
I stall, because the pretend-play is fun, but I want an actual answer this time. “No… I am asking seriously. Have you moved into town? Are you really called Tristan?” I add with a small smile.