Page 53 of Shadowing Bright
His grandmother cocked her head.“Really?”
“Sure.Dem-rah’s taco stand is reliable for late-night food.It’s where the XIA take their breaks.Your grandma can meet Neekil and Kairek.”
“She has already met them.Six years ago, before Neekil went for his long nap.”
“Does she know that Kairek is a dad?”
Emmers grinned.“She does now.”
Grandma sat and stared.“That headless fireball has a child before you do?”
Amy was chortling, and Keel whispered something in her ear.Oh.
Emmers smiled.“Yes, Grandma, he does.A little boy named Jerrik.He and his mother are Amy’s neighbours, actually.You should meet them both tonight.The Frostfires have to see her home, after all.”
Amy stopped grinning and tried to imagine the whirlwind of clothing that she had left behind.“Uhh...I need at least an hour.There wasn’t much time between leaving work and getting here, so my changing out of work clothing was slightly energetic.”
Emmers snickered.“Made a mess?”
“Clothing explosion.”She chuckled.“And yet, I look pristine.”
Normic laughed.“You do.All elegant and icy.”
“Thank you.”She inclined her head.“This is one of the cocktail outfits that will shift with me.I erred on the side of caution.”
Emmers smiled and lifted one of her hands to his lips.The light kiss was a riot under her skin.Amy was staring as he looked at her with mischief twinkling in his gaze.
She sighed and pulled her hand back.“Classy.”
“It’s a start.”
She flipped him off.He grabbed her hand and kissed the knuckle of the extended finger.
Grandma was grinning.“Excellent.Now, what is a Night Faire?”
Amy paused and said, “It’s a fair where more nocturnal races have a renaissance kind of vibe.Folks dress in period costumes and fantasy costumes and just go and have fun.There are mage artisans, other species with specialties, and plenty of dance and battle demonstrations.”
Normic grinned.“As a giant, you would have no issue.I hear security is pretty good.”
“It is, and anything violent and uncontrolled gets a call to the XIA.”
Keel chuckled.“I have heard of it but never gone.”
Amy smiled.“If you want to go any time with a guide of sorts, let me know.The faire is running for the next three weeks, and then the season is over.The food isn’t this good, but there is something about eating while a green man juggles cabbages in the corner, while a glassblower across the way makes witch balls.”
Normic smiled.“You like it.”
“I can be a giant there, and no one bothers me.They actually smile at me while I tower over them.It’s relaxing, and there are folks far more unique than I am.I fit in there.”
Keel patted her shoulder.“You will fit here, or we will stretch to fit you.”
Amy blinked a few times, and then tears started flowing down her cheeks.Keel hugged her and said, “I know, it’s rough.When they throw you into the cold, you don’t know how to start again, but part of you is always looking back and watching for light in a window.”
She nodded, and he pressed his head to hers.
He whispered, “I have been there.Gay snowy owls aren’t as widely accepted as you would think.”
She gave a startled laugh.
