Faerie horses should at least show up on time. That’s Aidan’s opinion, anyway. He’s been waiting for the pooka all night, to catch it stealing apples from human orchards. This Magical Enforcement Division assignment’s supposed to be easy -- and Aidan could use the break, after a previous case gone badly wrong. But when the apple-thief pooka does show up, it takes the shape of a gorgeous young man ... who doesn’t seem to mind being captured at Aidan’s hands.<br><Br>Ink left his herd to seek out adventure, and he’s found it in the form of a devastatingly handsome MED agent. He’s always been up for a challenge, and Aidan Callahan is certainly that: gorgeous, powerful, and good at his job. Ink’s perfectly happy to let Aidan put a hand -- or an enchanted bridle -- on him, especially with that note of command. It’ll be simple and fun, a decadent magical one night stand ... and Ink knows they’ll both enjoy it.<br><br>But this night isn’t simple. Ritual magic and Aidan’s own complicated gifts collide, and the family legacy he’s been avoiding becomes important, though Aidan’s starting to think it isn’t as important as keeping Ink in his arms.

The Pooka's Share

He batted his hair—ridiculous banshee hair, which grew persistently long and fair and flowing, and did so without regard for scissors or trimming—out of his face. Shoved it behind an ear. Contemplated charming it all off. It’d grow back, but he’d get a day or so of peace.


He touched the leash again instead. He wasn’t holding it taut, but the pooka still had fingertips skimming enchanted bonds too, exploring, intrigued. The touch sang along braided horsehair and reverberated, magic that wasn’t precisely magic, purely coincidence and emotion.


Their eyes met, inadvertent but drawn together. True north and a compass-needle.


Aidan said, very softly, “Is this hurting you?”


“No.” Trembling. Not from cold. “No.”


The words landed as lightly as autumn mist, and waited.


The pooka said, equally light, not breaking their gaze, “Most people aren’t strong enough to command me. Or…”


Chapter 4