Thomas East was meant to be the youngest Arch-Mage in history, a magical genius and a solver of problems. But he hadn’t expected quite so many problems -- not to mention the endless meetings, bureaucracy, and political negotiations. So he’s currently hiding in a sleepy California seaside town, working in an ice cream parlor and avoiding everyone he’s let down ... until a firebird in need of rescue crashes into his shop.<br><br>Nicholas Incandesco has far too many problems. He’s a firebird, a shapeshifter, and a power source, and a lot of magicians could use someone with his gifts. He’s also technically a murder suspect with two magical bounty hunters on his trail. He just wants someplace safe to land, and the attractive witch behind the ice cream counter might offer a sweet refuge.<br><br>This encounter might be exactly what both Nicholas and Tom need to find themselves ... and rescue each other.

The Arch-Mage's Firebird

“I know about nests,” Nicholas said, wry and hurting and kind, “and needing to fly.”


“I do answer if there’s an emergency…”


“Of course you do. You’re a good person.”


“Do you wantto go? To leave?” He held his breath; the world held its breath. Sun streaked through windows, and the refrigerator let out a sudden creak, not an answer.


“No,” Nicholas said. “Not yet. I should but I want—I want to kiss you, and I know this is like the worst timing, all the adrenaline, everything we’re in the middle of, but I’ve wanted to since the first time you smiled at me and put an extra cherry on that first sundae. When you didn’t know anything about me. You were just being nice. Just because.”


“I thought you were beautiful,” Tom explained, “and I’d never seen you in here before, and you looked nervous—” When he got up Nicholas stood up too. When they moved, they moved together, closer, still holding hands.


Chapter 8