After three years of fighting in the service of his mercenary company, Eoan’s ready to lay down his sword and return home. He’s seen enough war and destruction and ruined villages; he only wants to find someplace peaceful and warm where he can figure out a new life. But he’s a long way from home, in the pouring rain. And rumor says the forest around him contains inhuman magical creatures such as dragons, garwolves, fairies, and sprites. He should be safe if he doesn’t leave the path ... but fairies have ways of tempting weary travelers. Julian hadn’t actually meant to entice the tired soldier from the path. He’d only been playing music for himself, and it’s been so long since he’s introduced himself to anyone, he barely recalls his own name. But now he has a human in his forest, and Eoan clearly needs care and comfort and healing. Healing requires closeness, and Eoan’s fascinating, complicated and heart-sore and strong. And Julian’s been very lonely for a very long time. But maybe he doesn’t have to be.

Sound the Fairy Call

The afternoon shimmered. Silver and jade. Wood-bark and the cool whisper of water and grass. Eoan dropped cloak and coat in a clumsy leather-and-buckles pile and winced at the noise. Dazzling blue eyes came over, though, entertained and unoffended, and hands slid beneath his shirt, tugging at fabric. “So many layers. So inconvenient. How do you ever put up with all this? Does that untie?”


“Yes. We can’t all walk around half-naked in the dew like you.” He put out a hand, stroked faintly glittering hair back behind a pointed ear. His fairy-person looked up, surprised but happy; Eoan did it again, fingers lingering, and earned a smile.


Chapter 4