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January 1 - January 4, 2024
I want to become worthy of being considered your stepmother.
She doesn’t see his likeness in me, but the parts of him I’ll always carry.
“I never want you to make choices for me like that, regardless of whether you think it’s in my best interest. You don’t get to decide to sacrifice yourself for me.”
“But you didn’t fulfill your bargain.” He smirks. “I did. Both of them. I turned over the Chariot as well as Astrid Snow’s heart.” He pats his chest, which only makes me frown in confusion. “You gave me your heart, remember? And I gave you mine.”
It’s a term given only to committed partnerships. It’s less official and less permanent than marriage, but for some fae, it’s the highest form of commitment they participate in.
“I accept you, humble farmer Torben Davenport,” I say, tone mocking, “but I have conditions. Well, one.” He pulls back enough to meet my eyes. “What’s that?” “How many kittens can I have?” His chest rumbles with laughter as he presses his lips to mine once more. “As many kittens as you want.”
“We got married by a unicorn at a twenty-four-hour wedding chapel last week.”
Maisie crouches down and presses a palm to the door, giggling as three small dogs lick the glass on the other side. “Why can’t I just have them all?”
“I…have no excuse. I may or may not have initiated a puppy pile.”
I’m constantly surprised by how friendly she’s become.
Astrid returns to me, and we continue on our way. Soon the forever-pink petals of our cherry grove peek above a row of well-trimmed hedges. It’s the only part of the farm I keep to myself. Not that I don’t trust anyone else to care for the cherry trees. It’s more that this grove has special meaning to me now. It’s where I first told Astrid I loved her.
It turns out she hasn’t outgrown thinking she’s a parrot.
That’s all the permission I need. With a growl I close the distance between us and lift her up beneath her thighs. Then, pressing her back lightly against the trunk of the nearest tree, I nip the base of her ear. “You’re insatiable.”
“I love you, Torben.” Those words are a nectar like nothing else, and I’ll never cease being awed by them. Honored by them. I’ll never take them for granted, never stop trying to earn them, live up to them.
