Page 5 of Fairy's Forbidden Touch
“Fascinating.” He studied his own hands, turning them over as if seeing them for the first time. “I have never experienced prolonged contact with another being. Not since I was very young, before the magic manifested fully.”
The sadness in his voice made something twist in my chest.
“That sounds lonely,” I said before I could stop myself.
His eyes snapped back to mine, surprised. “It is… the way things are.”
“But not with me,” I pointed out. “I touched you, and nothing happened.”
A long silence stretched between us. Around us, Fern and Pix were finishing their closing duties, pretending not to eavesdrop but definitely listening to every word.
“No,” he finally said. “Not with you. I don’t understand why.”
I hesitated, then extended my hand across the counter, palm up. “We could… test it again? If you want to be sure it wasn’t a fluke.”
Thalen stared at my offered hand like it might bite him. Slowly, with visible trepidation, he reached out. His fingertips hovered just above my palm.
“It’s okay,” I said softly. “I’m not afraid.”
The café had gone completely silent. Even Pix had stopped flitting around to watch.
His fingertips touched my palm so lightly I barely felt it. Then, growing bolder, he pressed his entire hand against mine. His skin was cooler than a human’s but not cold, and smoother than seemed possible, like polished stone warmed by sunlight.
“Nothing,” he whispered, wonder filling his voice. “No reaction.”
“Told you,” I said, smiling at the childlike amazement on his face.
Without warning, his other hand came up to grasp my wrist, as if afraid I might pull away. His thumb brushed over my pulse point, and I couldn’t suppress a small shiver at the contact.
“Your heart is racing,” he observed.
Because you’re touching me and you’re gorgeous and I’ve been having extremely inappropriate dreams about you for a week.
“Natural reaction to weird magical situations,” I deflected.
His lips quirked in what might have been the ghost of a smile. “Will you meet me after your shift ends? There are… questions I would like to ask. About human things.”
Behind me, I heard Pix drop something and swear softly.
“Sure,” I agreed, trying to sound casual while my heart threatened to pound right out of my chest. “I finish in about fifteen minutes.”
He nodded, still holding my hand and wrist, seemingly fascinated by the simple contact.
“Um, I need my hand back to finish closing,” I said gently.
“Of course.” He released me reluctantly. “I will wait outside.”
True to his word, Thalen was waiting in the alley behind the café when I finished my shift. The night was cool, and he stood motionless in the shadows, moonlight catching on his hair and the silver accents of his clothing.
“So,” I said, shoving my hands in my jacket pockets. “Questions about human things?”
He stepped closer, and I caught that scent again—winter air and night-blooming flowers. “I have been observing humans for some time. Your kind fascinates me. The casual way you touch one another, without fear or consequence.”
“Most of us don’t have magic skin that burns people,” I pointed out.
“Indeed.” He was close enough now that I could see the silver flecks in his eyes even in the dim light. “May I… experiment further? With your permission.”
My mouth went dry. “What kind of experiment?”
