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

He got dressed, and ate, and said very quietly, in case anyone might be listening, “Thank you,” and he wanted to cry, and he wanted to be glad he’d had even this much, one enchanted day, one chance to see blue eyes light up in pleasure. Because of him.


Because of something he’d done. For someone else. That had been real.


He put a hand in his pocket, and found the smooth polished grey stone, and took it out, and looked at the rippled surface. A gift, it’d been. From one human to another. No inherent magical powers, except for that one.


He set it on the grass, and said to the listening silence, “A little girl told me it was good for protection. From dragons. From tree roots and bruises, maybe.”


Chapter 6