Page 25 of A Tale of Mirth & Magic

10

ELIKKI

Wow. Way to make a girl swoon.

Barra held me in that firm way that would give anyone jelly legs. The music, the soft light, the dancing, the centaur writhing in the background—incredibly romantic. Barra was giving me serious puppy eyes, and I could feel his strong heartbeat against my cheek. And his half-hard cock against my hip.

I wondered how long it would take to get to the inn from here if we galloped. Or maybe we could just sneak into the woods again after the troupe moves on…

Mulberry had reached the end of “The Elvish Darling of Drallomere.” His beautiful voice spun the lovers’ ending. Happily ever after, of course, they lived in peace and harmony until their dying days. Forever and ever.

Bullshit.

But the kind of very pretty bullshit I liked to hear about in songs sometimes. I closed my eyes against Barra’s chest and enjoyed the calm and happiness of this moment. Mulberry stopped singing, and the strings stopped playing. Kramdor’s pan flute closed out the song, his final lone high notes floating in the air.

And then silence. The song was over.

I reluctantly broke away from Barra and cheered, clapping hard for the troupe. Barra joined me. The musicians soaked up the praise, blushing and chattering.

“Well, we really ought to be getting on now,” I said. “Thank you all so SO much for playing for us! You’re fantastic.”

I elbowed Barra.

“Oh, right—fantastic! I will certainly remember this for a very long time,” he said.

Vin jumped forward, tipping horns toward us and curtsying once more with his pink pantaloons. “The pleasure was all ours! Thank you for giving us your ears and your praise!”

“And your dancing skills! You make an adorable couple,” Niv said.

“Oh, no no no, we’re not a couple,” I said. “Just a couple of people. Walking. Together. To the inn, you see.”

“Sorry, my mistake,” Niv said.

“Give it time!” Gethos yelled. Kramdor shushed him. Gethos stage-whispered to Barra and me, “You two look hot together!” The dwarf rolled his eyes.

“You are all magnificent,” I said, true affection in my voice. “I hope our paths cross again.”

“Can we give you anything in return for the performance?” Barra said.

Niv said, “No need, no need. We just wanted to enjoy playing for a while. Wash the bad taste of that dreadful show at the inn out of our mouths.”

“You two clearly have superior taste to the folk we encountered there!” Vin said.

“Just promise to tell everyone you meet about the magnificent troupe who dazzled you senseless—the Willful Wheels!” Mulberry said.

The others jumped in, all talking at once, arguing for their preferred name choices. As they gathered, jabbering together, Barra and I packed away our food. He boosted me into the saddle again—I gave a half-hearted protest, but I obviously wasn’t going to turn down a free ride—and we headed out with a final wave to the troupe.

As we set off down the road, Mavis’s lute plinked discordantly and Gethos waved his tambourine back at us with a cheery “Goodbyyyye, hotties!”

We turned the bend, and they fell out of sight and earshot. Barra caught my eye. We both burst out laughing.

“I liked them!” I said finally, trying to catch my breath. “Maybe they’re not the most naturally gifted, but what sweethearts.”

“You’re right. I’m surprised to say it, but I’m glad they cornered us into an impromptu performance,” Barra said.

“Me too. I hope they find a better reception at the taverns in Povon.”

“Maybe they will. Although we didn’t have the most pleasant experience there, they have a great deal of charisma. With luck, they’ll charm the townspeople out of their coin.”