Page 15 of Fairy's Forbidden Touch
His face lit up at the suggestion. “I have read about these ‘pancakes’ but never experienced them.”
I kissed him quickly, then reached for the remote to restart the film. “Trust me, it’s a vital part of human cultural education.”
As we settled back to watch the movie properly this time, Thalen’s arm around me and his cool body pressed against mine, I found myself thinking that maybe—just maybe—this particular bad decision might turn out to be the best one I’d ever made.
Chapter 4: The Royal Treatment
“You’re humming,” Pix observed, hovering near my shoulder as I prepared a complicated order for what appeared to be a cluster of tiny forest sprites. “And smiling. It’s disturbing the customers who expect surly human service.”
“I’m not surly,” I protested, carefully adding a sprinkle of what Fern had assured me was edible glitter, not actual magic.
“You were when you started,” she countered. “All sarcastic comments and eye rolls. Now you’re practically glowing.”
I glanced across the café to where Thalen sat in what had become his regular spot—directly at my section of the counter. He was reading something from a thin crystal tablet, his expression serious, but looked up as if sensing my gaze. The slight softening around his eyes when our gazes met sent a ridiculous flutter through my stomach.
“Oh my godmother,” Pix groaned. “You’ve got it bad.”
“Got what bad?” I asked innocently, serving the sprites their tiny drinks.
She flitted directly in front of my face, wings vibrating with irritation. “Don’t play dumb. You’re in love with him.”
The word sent a jolt of panic through me. “We’re just… exploring things.”
“For a month now,” she pointed out. “And don’t think I haven’t noticed how he watches you when you’re not looking. Like you’re some rare treasure he’s afraid might disappear.”
I busied myself wiping down the counter. “It’s complicated.”
“Because he’s royalty? Or because he’s fae and you’re human?”
“Both. Neither. I don’t know.” I sighed, lowering my voice. “We haven’t exactly discussed where this is going. We’re just enjoying what we have.”
Pix gave me a look that suggested she found humans particularly dense. “He’s the crown prince of the Winter Court, Jesse. He doesn’t ‘just enjoy’ anything. Everything he does has implications.”
That pulled me up short. “Wait—crown prince? As in, next in line for the throne?”
She stared at me. “You didn’t know? I thought surely he would have… oh dear.”
“He introduced himself as just ‘Prince Thalen,’” I said weakly. “I didn’t realize he was THE prince.”
Pix’s tiny features scrunched in concern. “Maybe don’t mention I told you? Royal fae can be touchy about their titles and positions.”
Before I could respond, Thalen himself approached the counter, crystal tablet tucked away. Up close, I could see subtle tension in his features—something bothering him that he was trying to conceal.
“Jesse,” he greeted me, my name still sounding exotic in his accent. “May I speak with you? After your shift.”
“Of course. Everything okay?”
He glanced around the café, aware of the many ears listening. “Yes. Merely a matter I wish to discuss.”
“I’m done in about an hour,” I told him.
He nodded. “I will wait.”
As he returned to his seat, Pix gave me a significant look. “See? Implications.”
The rest of my shift dragged by, my mind spinning with questions. Crown prince? What did that mean for whatever wasdeveloping between us? And what did he want to discuss that had him looking so tense?
When closing time finally arrived, Thalen remained in his seat, waiting patiently as Fern and Pix completed their closing duties. They both gave me knowing looks as they left, Pix making an unnecessarily suggestive gesture behind Thalen’s back.
