Fairyville (Fairyville #1)(73)
Author: Emma Holly

As much as Magnus had enjoyed witnessing the happy resolution of these issues, he was even more relieved to return with Zoe to her home. He had resolutions of his own to contemplate.

They were very much on his mind as he gazed into the starry sky that stretched above Zoe’s deck. Tonight’s moon was a bright half circle—a waning one.

One quarter gone, he thought, his hands gripped tight to the wood railing. Three more to go before I have to cheat on her again.

Zoe stood within his arms, her slight weight leaning warmly on his chest. It felt wonderful to hold her, to think of her as his—but maybe that was selfish. Maybe he should have let Alex win her, the way he’d decided to when he was dying. From the looks of it, she’d probably have to share Mm with Bryan, but would that really be worse than what Magnus was offering?

Uncomfortable with the question, he shifted on his feet. The movement roused Zoe.

"The stars are beautiful," she said. "Like someone flung a million diamonds against the black."

He kissed the top of her head, thankful for the reminder that tomorrow wasn’t now, and that now held plenty of treasures.

Sensing something of his mood, Zoe turned in his arms and looked up at him. He could just make out her face, its delicate features so dear to him his throat tightened. A furrow formed between her brows.

"Something’s been bothering me," she said. "You said you lived in Fairy for centuries. Does that mean you’re immortal?"

He’d been wondering when she’d think to ask that. "In this realm, I’m only immortal in the sense that all conscious beings are. I expect I’ll live a slightly longer than average life span, age gracefully, and leave when I’m ready to." He pinched the tip of her nose. "I also expect I can teach you what little you need to do the same. Humans are just beginning to realize how much in control of their lives they are."

To his surprise, her brow creased harder. "You’re saying you would have been immortal if you hadn’t come here?"

"Relatively immortal. Even fairies don’t live forever."

"But you gave up a relatively eternal life to be with me."

Magnus had to smile at her shock. "You of all people know every soul is eternal."

"Yes, but I’m still impressed!"

His smile turned into a laugh. "I hope you stay impressed. Maybe we’ll have many lifetimes together after this one."

"I’d like that," she said, her cheek pressed against his chest. "Almost more than I can say."

His heart turned over as he hugged her back. He reacted to her closeness; he couldn’t not. He wanted so badly to have her in all the ways their bodies were meant to join. Despite this longing, tenderness ruled his response. The feel of her slender strength, the scent of her, the crazy curling mass of her hair—all tangled together inside his soul. She was it for him, the partner he’d been looking for all his life without knowing it. Breaking her heart would destroy his own. Aching, he kissed her temple and drank in her warmth.

I’m going to have to go home.

The recognition dropped like an anvil inside his mind. He could return to Fairy now that Titania had been deposed. His aunt wouldn’t use him the way his mother had wanted to. What he couldn’t do was keep taking other lovers, never knowing which would be the one Zoe discovered she could not forgive.

He thought of Teresa, Zoe’s best friend from the cafe, whom he’d always avoided for that reason. Steering clear of her hadn’t kept him safe. That silly waitress from the Longhorn Grill had come close enough to being a last straw. Even if Zoe knew why he slept around, Magnus couldn’t keep cheating his own heart. He would take his month with her. He would make the best of it.

And then he would let her go.

The atmosphere seemed to thicken and vibrate as he made his choice. He filled his lungs with breath to share it with her—only to realize that the tingling running through him wasn’t the effect of nerves.

"Felicitations!" cried a small, high voice a second before Zoe’s deck came alive with hundreds of fairies. "Best fairy wishes to the big people!"

The voice belonged to Samuel, who set himself off from the glittering crowd by zipping like a maniac around their heads.

"Oh!" Zoe cried as if she were about to weep. "You’re back!"

Queen Rajel fluttered more sedately into the space between them. "We’re commuting," she said, her face serene, her little body glowing with happiness. "In return for our support, Queen Elena has agreed to give us unlimited access to her portal. We get to keep our humans and our home."

"Oh, how wonderful!" Zoe said. "I wanted you to be happy, but I was going to miss you so much."

"I’m Samuel the Secretary of State now!" the boy fairy burst in, having flown himself to actual breathlessness. "I’m the liaison between big and small."

"Congratulations," Zoe laughed. "I’m sure you’ll be marvelous."

"I’m helping!" Florabel cried. "I’m the official Party Planning Fairy."

"A crucial post," Zoe concurred, her eyes twinkling.

"Peace," said the queen, flying at both Samuel and Florabel to herd them back. "We have an important message to deliver."

Her fairies quieted down to a chitter, and then to actual silence. Queen Raj el cleared her throat and turned to Magnus.

"We owe you an apology, Big One. We misjudged you, thinking you were like your mother and the other bad big fey. We did our best not to help you win our human, but you have proven yourself a true friend to fairies—"

"—and kittens—" Samuel interrupted.

"—and Zoe," Florabel piped last.

"Especially to Zoe," Rajel agreed. "You didn’t simply wish to win her heart, you gave her yours. Consequently, we must share the truth about the magic that brought you here."

"You know the terms of my visa?" The sudden pounding of his heart stole Magnus’s breath. Had the little fairies found a loophole? Was he going to be able to keep Zoe and have her the way he craved? His c**k hardened instantly, straining so painfully against his zipper that it was an effort to focus on the queen.

Lucidly, she gave him a moment to collect himself.

"The small fey know the underpinnings of all the best magic," she said, her fists planted proudly on her tiny waist, "and we’ve found the secret clause. Because you have given your heart to Zoe, and have asked nothing in return, you do not have to win a new heart every month. You only have to re-win hers."

Zoe and Magnus began to speak at once. Rajel hushed them by holding up her hand.