Morgen Hob spends his days traveling the kingdom, collecting dangerous magical artifacts and bringing them to his local magician for disposal. He's good with his hands and good at his profession ... but not very good at telling Averet how he feels.<br><br>Averet Coral, newest magician in the kingdom of Lea, likes helping people. He likes inventing magical toys and solving puzzles. And he definitely likes the shy, kindhearted, heroic artifact hunter who keeps bringing him new challenges. He knows what he wants ... but he's less sure about Morgen's feelings.<br><br>But when Morgen's latest find comes with a truth-telling curse, Morgen and Averet will have to admit their hidden desires.

A Penny for Your Thoughts

Lea had not had a magician for decades, not being terribly important among the grand sprawls of the larger kingdoms; but Averet said they were all important, every blade of grass and every lace-maker and every lost pig he could find and bring home, and he said it seriously, still with a smile but with truth like starlight in grey eyes and pointed chin and lifted eyebrows. Part of the balance. Part of what kept the universe spinning: anchors, life, connection. Everything in place, in the web of magic.


Chapter 2