Page 11 of Riding A Cock-Horse
I smile.
“That's exactly what I'm hoping for.”
We all clamber onto the train. Dageus was kind enough to get us a private compartment, but it's tight with nine people.
“Holy titties, it's hot in here,” Belle moans. “Hotter than two mice fucking in a wool sock.”
Dageus blinks at her.
“What? You guys don't have that saying here?”
“No,” I chuckle. “We don’t use sayings about animals… you know, because we’re shifters.”
“Huh, well, I never thought about that,” she hums. “I wonder if mice shiftersdofuck in wool socks…”
Dageus just looks at her, not sure what to think, and I love it. My cautious, reserved cousin is totally charmed by the vivacious Yank. Dageus must see something on my face because a look of horror washes over his before he points at Belle and blurts out:
“Is this your girlfriend?!”
I glare at him, feeling my cheeks heat and sheepishly look over at Belle.
“I'm sorry—what was I supposed to think?” Dageus continues, oblivious. “You're sitting there, giving her calf-eyes and mooning over her!”
“Would you shut your geggie1?!” I snap.
Belle comes to my rescue by looking Dageus right in the eye and saying, “No, I'm not dating Arthur, but I would be honored to be his girlfriend because he is sweet, kind, and so very smart. And it’s rare in this world to find somebody who is willing to go the distance that he—and everyone else here—has gone to help me.”
Dageus nods.
“Yes, he’s a true Scotsman.”
Belle laughs.
“Yes, he is. He's the best one that I know.”
“How many more do you know, lass?” Dageus wants to know.
“Well…just you. So, no offense, but Arthur is my favorite. Since we’re going to Scotland, I suppose I’ll be meeting a lot more of you; maybe after that I can make a different assessment,” she teases, winking at me.
I know she's joking, but I sincerely hope that she doesn't meet my cousins and find me lacking. They're all taller, stronger—not as red-headed.But she seems to read my mind because she rests an arm around me and croons:
“But I probably can meet every person in Scotland, and they’ll never measure up to Arthur. I think you're pretty awesome, Dageus, and I appreciate how you're going to be helping me—especially my friends, too—knowing that's not how shifters normally operate. But Arthur—he's a one-of-a-kind horny toad.”
She smiles at me, her eyes shining,and I fall head over heels in love with her all over again.
“So where does your clan of horny toads live?” I wonder. “I hope it's Hogwarts.”
Arthur rolls his eyes.
“I hate to disappoint you—but it's not.”
“Nope,” Dageus agrees. “Our clan has land right by Loch Kemp.”
“Never heard of it.”
“Oh, it's fairly large, but it stems from Loch Ness itself.”
“Now,thatI've heard of. More accurately, theLoch Ness Monster.” I gasp, “Oh, my gosh! Is the Loch Ness Monster real?!”
