Iknew Erastus would make a scene before the night was over. Something in my bones told me he was just waiting for the right moment to strike. If we could avoid him until Dustin was ready to leave the fair, I could breathe easily, but I doubted that would be the case.
The good thing about seeing Erastus everywhere we turned was it kept my thoughts off my yearning to soulbond with Dustin. I wanted it like I wanted no other thing in this world or my own. But as Dustin dragged me from one game to the next, I found myself laughing freely, feeling lighter than I had in months. It amazed me how a single night of love and laughter could make me feel thousands of years younger. Almost as if I were Dustin’s relative age.
Keeping Dustin close to me, I took him on one of the calmer rides, ignoring the Ferris wheel for now. I wanted that to be the last ride we rode because I knew how romantic it could be. I wanted that time to be when the moon was high, the stars were bright, and we could see the lights of Shadetree in the distance over the tops of the trees like a fairytale city.
I never bothered to look at the names of the rides, but the one I took him on this time looked like the seats were cups with a table in the center. It looked thrilling, without the death-defying stunts Dustin pulled in the Zipper. At least, I figured we could handle this and rides like it. And Dustin so wanted to ride as many of the rides as possible with me.
As we sat in the cup and the carnie closed and latched the door to lock us inside, Dustin grinned and grabbed the table in the center. “Are you sure, Cass? Yeah, we won’t be doing any vertical flips, but it can still spin really fast.”
Spinning, I could do. I hoped. “I am certain.”
“Then grab hold of the wheel and start turning. We can turn in either direction, and the harder you turn, the faster we go.”
I was not prepared. Dustin started turning the wheel like a maniac and proved to me that he was as strong as he looked, a perfect warrior if I could teach him swordsmanship and archery. I longed to see his muscles bunch and flex as he wielded a blade, to see him with a crossbow strapped to his back.
And my daydream cost me because as soon as the ride started, I squealed like a child. Not only did the cup rotate, but it spun around a track that went up and down hills and valleys, around and around, until I was so dizzy, I could no longer keep hold of the wheel with how fast Dustin turned it.
What was that human teenage term I had heard back in the early two-thousands? Oh, yes. “Instant Regret.” I instantly regretted my decision. Never again. From that moment on, as soon as we exited our Teacup from Hell, I vowed to ask Dustin what the ride did, in detail, before I would agree to go on a single one other than my beloved Ferris wheel.
I was already queasy and hungry since we had not eaten since lunch. So, instead of going from one ride to the next or to another game, I pointed back toward the food vendors. “Let us get something to eat before we continue.”
To my surprise, Dustin shouted, “Funnel cakes!” with his fist raised in the air as if in victory. “But something non-sugary first. What do you want, Cass? Corn dogs? Hot dogs? Chicken on a stick? Walking tacos?”
I wrinkled my nose in distaste. “What on earth is a walking taco?”
“Oh!” His eyes brightened, and he grinned like a child. “They’re individual bags of crushed nacho chips with taco meat, lettuce, tomato, cheese, sour cream, and salsa dumped into the bag. You mix it up, and you can eat it with a spoon while walking, without the mess!”
It sounded intriguing but not very filling. I told Dustin such, and he laughed as he guided me through the crowd toward the walking taco vendor. “They’re actually quite filling, but whatever room you have left will be reserved for dessert.”
I had to admit. The walking tacos were tasty and allowed us to walk through the ever-flowing throng of people toward the funnel cake cart for Dustin’s cherished treat. By the time we made it, our chip bags were empty and tossed into the nearest rubbish bin, and we stood in an exceedingly long line for fried dough and confectioner’s sugar. I could not see the appeal, but Dustin practically salivated on himself as we got nearer.
“Oh, God, I can’t wait!” He turned huge silver eyes on me, looking drunk on just the smell of the cakes. “I haven’t had one of these since I was twelve. Not since… not since my parents were alive.”
My heart shattered, and I jerked him into a tight hug. “You will have one every year if you want. Or, I could have Beth learn how to make them.”
But Dustin shook his head and kissed the soft skin underneath my jaw, close to my throat that made me bite back a moan. “No,” he said. “No, don’t have Beth worry about that. Half the reason they taste so good is because of the excitement of the fair. Besides,” he nipped my chin, took my hand, and drew my palm down his stomach. “Can’t keep my manly physique if I gorge on all those carbs all the time.”
Just the thought made me chuckle, and I leaned in to whisper into his ear, “I am fairly certain I could find ways for you to work off all those carbs and calories. Fun, intense workouts a few times a day…”
He shivered and swatted my ass. “Bad kitten! No giving me a raging hard-on in public. That’s bad.”
He didn’t look upset, however, so I pulled him closer and licked the shell of his ear from lobe to tip. “But being bad can be so very good when we get home.”
“Mmm.” Dustin shook his head and poked me in the side. “No sidetracking me. When we get home, you are going to tell me what’s had you so maudlin all night, and you’re not getting out of it. You promised.”
Had I? I did not think I did. I was fairly certain I did not. But I could not remember whether I made such a promise or not, and the fact he was calling me on it made me wonder what else I might have missed that evening. But no matter. I had no idea how to even bring up the subject of soulbonding without making Dustin run away as fast as his long legs could carry him. How could a young man fathom forever in such a fashion when he still thought of himself as mortal? Dustin would never die from old age or sickness. Yes, he could be killed by a bullet or any other murder weapon. But he would never age past what appears to be twenty-five if he aged that much. And if we soulbonded, he would be mine, and I his, for eternity or until one or both of us were killed or rejected the other.
These worrisome thoughts plagued me until it was our turn in line. I pulled myself out of my head to order one for the two of us, but Dustin stopped me. “You are not eating any of mine. Get your own. I’ll share a great many things with you, but my funnel cake isn’t one of them.”
Chuckling, I ordered two funnel cakes just because I was interested in what the draw to them was. As soon as we had them in hand, Dustin was dragging me toward yet another game, a bright grin on his face, cheeks and nose flushed with the cold and excitement. He was stunning, and he caught me staring at him.
“What?”
I shook my head. “It is nothing.”
Dustin narrowed his eyes speculatively at me. “Is this another ‘nothing’ that we have to talk about once we get home, Cass?”
Gods, he was like a chihuahua with a squeaker toy. I could see the defiance in his eyes, in the way he had his jaw set, his chin lifted, daring me to argue with him. Sighing, I shook my head. “I just thought you were stunning. The way your face is flushed, the way your eyes are shining so bright with happiness, the way you are so eager to do things, and how you come alive when you are in a crowd of people.”
I shrugged and kissed his temple. “It made me realize that I have been doing you a great disservice by keeping you penned in at the estate without anything to do. You were so starved for fun that bringing you here, you are like my own personal cyclone.”
Dustin snorted. “Your own personal cyclone, huh? That’s so romantic, Cass.”
Unable to help my grin, I hid it in his neck as I hugged him. “I am sorry, my beauty.”
“Uh-huh.” He swatted my backside and pulled away. “You’re crushing my funnel cake. Kitten will be mussed.”
“We cannot have that, now can we?” I asked. I leaned in and licked some powdered sugar from the corner of his mouth, my eyes hooding as my arousal flared. “But sometimes getting mussed can be quite fun.”
That earned me one of Dustin’s sultrier smiles, and he led me to a booth where the player had to “fish” for tickets attached to magnets. Like almost everything else in the fair, the board holding the bowls that contained one ticket each rolled around, shook both back and forth and side to side at odd intervals, and rotated in random directions. Just watching it made me dizzy, and I stared at Dustin.
“No cheating,” he said, his voice stern even though the look in his eyes was playful as ever. “Not even a little.”
This was another thing that proved his transformation was coming along better than I had anticipated. Dustin could see my magic, even when I willed it to be invisible to humans. I had made a mistake with Bradley when I tried to hide Dustin’s ears, but I had made no such mistake here. Dustin’s newfound ability made me proud and made me curious about what else he was capable of.
But I had to focus on the moment. Dustin wanted me to win this giant stuffed kitten for him, and I had little hope of getting the magnet attached to the fishing rod anywhere near the tumbling glass jars, let alone getting a ticket with a number high enough to pick from that level of prizes. I took another bite of the delicious funnel cake and set the paper plate down so I could take up the fishing rod.
“I see Dustin has found a game that can stump even the great Casersis Ardal,” Erastus said from my right.
I turned and shot the wolf a withering look, but all he did was offer me a grin that was half-snarl. “Do you have a problem, wolf?”
Erastus raised both eyebrows, his grin growing. “Not at all. I just came to see how you fare at the game. I was about to play, myself.”
Of all the things Dustin could have done—like step back toward the security detail who followed us or otherwise remove himself from danger—he instead chose to step between Erastus and me and place his hand on the wolf’s chest.
“Erastus, would you please leave Cass alone? I’ve been cooped up for weeks, and I’d like to enjoy myself without you two fighting. Can you do that? Please?”
I could feel Kevin and Don closing in on us, as well as the rest of the security team. I knew they did their best to keep crowd control without offending any of the other fairgoers. But it shocked and surprised me that Erastus’s smile turned almost fond. He placed his hand over Dustin’s and bowed his head. “For tonight. Enjoy your evening, Dustin.”
And without another word, he walked away, disappearing into the crowd for …was it the third or fourth time that night? I was losing track of so many things—a promise I supposedly made, Erastus’s appearances. How much could my thoughts disrupt this night?
Thoughts of soulbonding should not drive an elf as old as I into such madness, but I could not help it. Even so, Dustin wanted me to play this game, win, and all without using magic. Could I?
I paid the fee, took another bite of my funnel cake, and took up the plastic fishing rod, wishing I had brought a vat of hand sanitizer with us. The carnie stepped back away from the rapidly moving board and called for me to take my turn. I had five chances for the amount I paid. Each ticket I retrieved from the bowls added up so that I could get a single prize.
I would get Dustin’s stuffed cat if I had to play for hours.
It took twenty minutes before I could even get the magnet into a bowl. It took another thirty for me to find a bowl that still had tickets. Another fifteen minutes, and I had wasted more money than the stuffed animal was worth, but when the carnie handed Dustin that stuffed cat, the way he beamed at me made me feel ten feet tall and capable of taking on the world.
After that, I led Dustin over to one of the food vendors who advertised hot chocolate made from condensed, sweetened milk, and Godiva chocolate bars. We were both near the point of shivering, even with our thick sweaters and sturdy coats. As a treat, I bought a round of cocoa for the entire security team, and we headed to a set of benches to rest our weary feet.
Once we were sat and comfortable, Dustin leaned into me until I wrapped my arm about his shoulders, then snuggled closer still. “Tonight’s been amazing. Thank you, Cass.”
I kissed the side of his head, my heart in my throat, and nuzzled into his hair. Words escaped me, so I left them unspoken, choosing to hold onto him tighter, closer, until we almost felt like one person. I had to admit the cocoa was delicious, not as good as how Beth made it, but still delicious. But nothing was as perfect as the way Dustin fit against me.
“Your mind went far away again,” Dustin murmured. “Please tell me what’s wrong, Cass.”
It was almost as if I had spoken the lie so often that I smiled and said, “I am fine,” out of reflex. I wanted to kick myself for the instant reaction. It was not technically a lie. Physically, I was fine. Emotionally, however, I was a basket case.
“What did we agree about lying?” Dustin turned his bright eyes up to mine, and my breath hitched. He was so lovely in the evening light that I suddenly wished to ride the Ferris wheel so I could see him in the natural glow of the moon and stars.
“I am not lying,” I said. “I am just hedging around the truth until we get home.” And like the times before, I changed the subject. “Let us take our hot chocolates and ride the Ferris wheel. We should be done with them by the time it is our turn in line.”
I stood and turned to face our security detail. They had done an excellent job keeping us from being trampled by the crowd and kept us from harm. Though I wished they had kept Erastus at bay. But humans were little match for a wolf of Erastus’s caliber, so I could not hold it against them. And Erastus had surprised me by being somewhat civil.
With a few words of request, I sent one of our guards back to the car with our prizes so they would not have their hands full while we enjoyed the rest of the fair. We still had four security guards with us, so I felt comfortable that we would not have any other problems. Or so I hoped.
As I predicted, we finished our hot chocolates just before it was our turn to ride the Ferris wheel, and by then, the fifth security guard had caught up with us. We threw our empty cups into the recycle bin at the gate and soon were ensconced in the carriage, and my heart grew as Dustin cuddled up against me.
I wrapped him against my side warmly and kissed the side of his head. It always made my heart flutter when he leaned into it as he did then, and I rewarded him with another kiss, lingering longer as we rotated around the Ferris wheel. I had plans. I believed I had timed the ride right and knew that Kevin would play his part now that we were out of hearing range of them.
“Do you know how very much I love you?” Dustin asked. He looked over at me with a timid smile. “I don’t think I’ve said it much, and I’ve nagged at you a lot, but I do love you.”
My chest froze. I could not speak. I wanted so desperately to stare into those eyes and see if we could soulbond, but I looked away and nuzzled into Dustin’s hair instead. I could not force that on him, and I could not let it happen—if it would happen at all, if it could happen at all—on accident.
Clearing my throat, I squeezed him tighter to me and whispered, my voice hoarse and deep, “I love you, too. So very much. And you show it to me every day when you look at me, and when you worship my body as if it is the first time, every time.”
I felt him blush more than I saw it and chuckled. How could someone be so commanding in bed yet still blush when sex was mentioned. It was endearing.
Our car paused at the very top, and I teased Dustin’s face out from my neck just as the first round of fireworks exploded in the sky. I had, indeed, timed it just right and was rewarded with Dustin’s excited gasp. “Oh, that’s awesome!”
I showed him the glory that was Shadetree at night from a distance. We watched the fireworks display for a few more moments before the Ferris wheel started moving again. It would rotate around a few times before we would again pause at the top for the fireworks finale. Dustin marveled at the full moon, how it made everything seem soft and untainted.
It was the perfect end to the night. The only thing that could make it more perfect was if I were soulbonded to the young man beside me, and where my heart fluttered, soared, and felt too big for my chest earlier, it now ached with the thought that I may never have that.
I had to find a way to bring the subject up with him soon. He would not let me avoid it forever, not with as perceptive as he was.
I could only hope he would not turn me away.
“Happy birthday, my beauty.”
