Page 48 of Shadowing Bright
“Haven’t forgiven me for that?”
“Nope.It was very public, and I still get folks handing me domestic violence pamphlets.I have to tell them repeatedly that I am not dating you.”
“Yet.”
“Cookie?What the hell did you do?”
“She showed up with some very nice earrings.”
Lady Frostclaw looked at her.
“I was tired of waiting for something nice, so I bought it for myself when I went to the Night Faire with friends.They were confidence enchanted.”
“Ah.I see.How old are you?”
“Third decade.”
“Ouch.Understandable then.Cookie, did you apologize?”
“I did, but it was still a hurtful attack.”He nodded.“And I am still sorry.”
Their drinks arrived, and they ordered their appetizers and mains.
“So, Vixen, you work with Cookie?”
“Yes, and no.I work with the evidence.If—” she fought her smirk, “—Cookie and I were to start a relationship, I would have to flag his evidence and get someone else to take it over for me once it was filed.I wouldn’t be able to handle it.”
“Why not, dear?”
“Because if it wasn’t in favour of the agents, the theory is that I might be tempted to tamper with the evidence.I agree.So, I know the rules, and if we start anything, I have red-flagged all the evidence that he or his team are involved with.”
“So, you have integrity.”
“Sure.I like my job.I like the benefits and the holidays, and for the most part, the people I work with are okay.”
“How did you two meet?”Grandma smiled.
Amy looked to Emmers.“Did you want to explain?”
“Oh, no.You were the winner.You get bragging rights.”
Amy grinned.“Well, there was a friend of a friend who was having a housewarming party, and they needed a champion for the lord and lady of the property to run through challenges.They called me.I wrestled Emmers in my ice giant form.I helped the ladies win the football match, and finally, I went off for a hunt with some dark elves and fluff-n-stuff here following me.I managed to elude them for the appropriate portion of time, but I did cheat.Well, not technically cheating, but the guys all looked like I slapped them.”
She grinned, and Emmers took her hand and squeezed it.
“Well, after that, fuzzball here got a little overexcited, so I stood in his embrace and literally cooled him down.That’s when he really started sniffing and a bit of licking.”
His grandmother looked at him and said, “Cookie.No tasting potential girlfriends until you get authorization first.”
He grinned, unrepentant, and snagged some bruschetta.
Amy asked, “Lady—” The glare she got from the older woman was intense.“Um, Grandma, why isn’t my family status an issue?”
“My family has a mix of different northern species, and there are a few humans in the mix.We don’t banish ours.We help them to find ways to survive in our hostile environment.If they want to leave, they are welcome to return.They are family, not just symbols of the frozen spaces.”
Amy smiled.“That’s a very good way of thinking of it.I wish my family had managed to evolve that way.”
Grandma chuckled.“They are thinking about it now.I have been tormenting your grandmother with images of your transformed states.She’s freaking out and trying to figure out how to un-banish you.I have another clan for you to join, and they will sponsor you for whatever you wish to do with Cookie.”
