Page 2 of Riding A Cock-Horse
“We know, love. We're not worried about it. We just have some concerns for your safety and ours,” she says gently.
“Well, is there a big cage I can get into and shift? How do I even do it?”
“Don't worry,” Jack reassures. “We’ll walk you through it. It's something naturally that your body does.
“I mean, do I have any control over it?”
“Eventually, you will, but initially, I don't think so—whatever's inside of you wants out,” Arthur murmurs.
I make a face.
“Yeah, I know—it's a werewolf!”
Elise chuckles.
“You're not a werewolf. They're not real, but you could be a wolf.”
“I have an idea,” Jude mutters thoughtfully.
He walks into the bathroom and shuts the door. Seconds later, he crawls out under the jam as his cockchafer flies around me. I hold very still because—while I don't want to hurt his feelings—he's like a little junebug, and I don't want him getting stuck in my hair. After a few trips around me, he slips back under the door jamb, gets dressed, and comes back out. Honestly, I don't see why he just didn't get naked in front of me—it’s not like I was going to jump him or anything.
Really…well, probably.
I mean, now would be a perfect time for distraction, right?
“Well, what's your excuse for not taking your clothes off in front of me?” I demand.
Jude just grins.
“I was smelling you.”
“I’ve got something better you could do with me instead ofsniff me,” I mutter under my breath. No one comments on my not-so-subtle sex comments.
“Well,” Arthur demands, “what did you smell?”
“Definitely,something—but it's not like anything I've ever smelled before. I don't knowwhatshe is.”
“I just want to be a sex addict!” I sob theatrically.
“Listen, we need to get off this ship,” Theos interjects. “Chances are the Jackal has gone back to report. They can look up the dock information and figure out where the ship's going. If we go upstream, they won’t be expecting us to fight the current. It’ll be a race, but we might be able to get somewhere safer, and then, we can address Belle.”
Now, normally, the idea of swimmingupa dirty river in Britain sounds like an awful idea, but considering how I'm covered in piss water and vomit, beggars can't be choosers, right? It’s probably the closest thing I'm going to get to a shower and maybe swimming will distract me from what's happening.
And what if I’m a badass water Tertiary?!
I'm a dolphin that can jump through hoops of fire and I have a horn…
Wait!
I'm a narwhal—a majestic one!
Yes, I will spear those bastards who did this to me, and then, fuck people with it. It’s official. I'm content with being a narwhal and nod in contentment.
“What is she nodding at?” Arthur whispers to Jude.
“I don't know. Love, what are you nodding about?”
“Don't worry—I've come to accept who I am.”
