around the empty zoo. “I thought you deserved a reward for that fabulous sex session earlier, so I cast a little spell to allow you to hear the animals talk. You know, like that film we watched the other night only this time,” he paused dramatically, “it’s Doctor Daelittle.” He giggled at his joke as Ben stared at him blankly.
“I thought I was insane, damn it. Next time tell me you’re going to do your witchy thing and give a man a little warning.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” Dae countered as he flounced down the path towards the exit. “A man’s job is to keep an air of mystery about him. And honey, do I have a lot of mystery inside me.”
Ben followed his lover’s slim figure, muttering beneath his breath. “Damned crazy person. He doesn’t care if I end up in the funny farm or wearing stripes when I go to jail.”
“I heard that,” a voice boomed out of the zebra enclosure. “What’s wrong with stripes?”
Ben didn’t stick around to have another conversation.
He’d had enough for one night.
Chapter 14
Dae woke from a particularly fretful sleep and lay unmoving for a while, wondering what had woken him. The night was still, other than the sound of an owl hooting close by. April ushered in warmer weather—apparently unseasonably so, Ben had told him with glee. While a temperature of fifteen degrees Celsius wasn’t anything to write home about in Dae’s opinion, it was better than the cooler climes of a wet, damp March. Ben had insisted on leaving the window open, to let in the fresh air. Dae listened drowsily to the birds outside, willing himself back to sleep. Ben snored softly beside him, his hair framing his face. A tendril seemed to be tickling his nose, which twitched. Dae smiled and tenderly moved the offending hair away.
The clock on the bedside table read one a.m. Unable to get back to sleep, Dae got out of bed, careful not to wake Ben. Time to make some herbal tea.
He slipped his silky robe around his shoulders and as he passed the window, he caught the faint glow of something in the garden. Curious, he looked outside. What he saw sent tingles down his spine and he contemplated going back to bed and forgetting he’d ever seen it. After a minute, he sighed, popped his feet into warm slippers, and went downstairs. He opened the front door and stepped into the darkness, treading across the dew-speckled grass to meet his guest.
A woman sat on the garden bench under the willow tree, her pale blue aura a familiar sight. She whispered to something and raised her slim hands to the tree as if blessing it. For all Dae knew, she was. The woman was an enchanting sight as always. Dressed in deep sapphire blue robes, teamed with gold braiding, her white hair swept up behind an elegant neck in a chignon, she was the epitome of quiet, ageless beauty.
The greeting mantra left his lips instinctively, old habits and manners revealing themselves.
“Lady Mage Elicia. Welcome to this world. May your presence here bring solace to all that you touch, and your voice comfort those in pain. May you be protected by all that is earth, water, sky, and flame.”
Dae stood, waiting to be invited to sit. The Lady Mage raised her face to him, a face creased with soft wrinkles and crow’s feet, and smiled a gentle, loving gesture that took Dae’s breath away and left him with a lump in his throat. It’s been so long since I was near anyone from home.
“Daeliel Jadu Alario of Quimaria, of the race of Elliel, please, sit down. Your company would be most appreciated.”
Dae sat down on the far end of the bench, not wanting to be presumptuous. The Lady Mage laughed and patted the place next to her. “Come, child, sit closer. Have things got that bad you must distance yourself from me?”
Dae shuffled closer and the scent of home invaded his nostrils. Lavender, the spicy scent of cinnamon, and fresh green grass. His eyes prickled with tears and he blinked them back. “Thank you, My Lady. It’s been so long since we last met. I wasn’t sure what the current court protocols were.”
“Oh, child.” The Lady’s eyes grew sympathetic. “There is no protocol on earth that can stop me looking after people I care about.” She reached out and took his hand. “Before we begin what I’m here to say to you, I must tell