to sleep. He briefly awoke once the car motor turned on, then napped all the way home, only opening his eyes once he sensed Yev’s hand on him.
The warmth of the lodge brought him back to reality, and as Yev pulled him from the safety of the backpack, it became clear everything was ready for their evening, even the chess board placed on a rug close to the fire, which smelled of wood and herbs.
Radek was still a bit groggy, but the familiarity of his new home was comforting already. He yawned and his stomach grumbled as soon as he smelled the stew laid out for him. He had no idea how on earth he was supposed to relax, but if he had any chance at achieving some sense of equilibrium, it was here, with Yev and his relentless patience.
The food was delicious and filled Radek’s stomach with the warmth he’d missed since the bloodletting, but while he was enthusiastic about playing chess, he soon found himself getting sleepier, and Yev smirked.
“I’ll prepare the spare room for you.”
Radek huffed and followed Yev, biting the leg of his jeans as soon as he caught up with him. He would not be sleeping in a spare room when he could rest on this warm pillow of man flesh.
Yev gently lifted his leg, but Radek wouldn’t let go of the fabric and allowed this fabulously strong man to raise him off the ground. “What? You want to stay in the cage by the fire?”
As if Yev didn’t know what this was about! Radek lost his hold of Yev and fell when he whined his ‘no’, but he’d communicate what he wanted if it killed him. He grabbed Yev’s shoelace between his teeth and pulled until Yev followed him to the bedroom. They’d already slept here together yesterday, so what was the harm in it happening again?
Yev sighed, clearly no longer able to pretend ignorance. “But you’re a person.”
Radek scrambled onto the bed, annoyed by the sense of sluggishness that had accompanied him since the bloodletting. Didn’t he deserve comfort in Yev’s arms after what he’d been through earlier? He made exaggerated whimpers and spun a few times, eventually settling on the comforter and looking up at Yev with the most pleading eyes he could muster.
Yev swallowed, his gaze going softer as he sat down, pulling on his fingers, still uncertain. “Won’t it be awkward?”
Radek cackled and closed his eyes, covering them with his paw to make his point. He would not stare if Yev was against it. He’d rather stare, but what was a fox to do?
Yev shook his head, smiling, which stretched the facial scar where it cut through his cheekbone. “How are you this adorable? You’ve been here three days, and I already have you as my cell phone wallpaper,” he said and lay on his side at the edge of the bed, as if he were ready to protect Radek from the world with his own body.
Radek was quick to crawl up to him, nuzzle his fragrant thick neck and cuddle. So he was a pervy animal. Not much change there from Radek the human. Yev couldn’t return the attraction, but he would enjoy having a pet. Radek could give him that. Warmth, and fun, and companionship, because the three days here had told Radek Yev barely ever saw anyone, and was lonelier than he’d have liked to admit.
Radek just needed to keep his real identity secret.
Yev exhaled and pulled Radek’s furry body closer, his eyes shutting as if he too were tired and in need of peace.
Chapter 10 – Radek
Nearly four weeks had passed since their visit to the witch’s hut and Radek was still at square one with his fox body, but he could feel it in his bones he’d be changing soon. It was bound to happen, so he’d stopped overthinking it and settled into the life of a pet where he was being taken care of so completely. His new wound healed at record speed as a result of whatever the witch had done to it, and the stump now looked like the piece of his limb had been removed a year, not a month earlier, so he was no longer in pain.
He had no responsibilities, no immediate worries, and a naughty, childish part of him liked the fact that he’d left all obligations behind. He’d missed out on his New Year trip to Madeira, but he would have spent it partying and hoohing up—like any