Conway's Curse Read Free Page B

you two alone?” He shifted uncomfortably, one boot still dangling from his hand. Conway set it aside and concentrated on untying the other one.
     
    “Why?” Kail asked, framing Tion’s face between his hands and leaning in. “I don’t care if you watch. You might even learn something.”
     
    “Kail, be nice.” Tion pulled his head back just before their lips met. “He’s human, remember?”
     
    Kail snorted. “Morals. A waste of time, if you ask me.” He leaned in again, and Tion dodged.
     
    “He’s also my friend.”
     
    That brought Kail up short. “Your friend? He’s an—”
     
    “Oaf,” Tion said. “Yeah, you keep saying that.”
     
    “I can hear you, you know.” Conway spoke without looking up.
     
    “There’s something about him, Kail.”
     
    “Yeah. You also said he was cute, just before he almost stepped on us.”
     
    “Uh-huh. And look how he made amends. We’d still be walking if it weren’t for his giving us a ride.”
     
    Kail studied his partner’s face, still framed between his hands. He sighed and let go. “You always were hung up on size.”
     
    Tion chuckled. “I know.” He bent and kissed Kail lightly. “That’s why the trout and I like you so much.”
     
    Kail returned the kiss with one of his own, and a good deal more intently.
     
    “One of the reasons, at least,” Tion added.
     
    Locked into each other’s love and embrace, neither of the two sprites heard Conway rise and walk away.
     

     

     
    “He can’t have gone far. His shoes are still here.” Kail nodded to the boots beside the base of the bridge.
     
    “I know, but he’s been gone a long time.” Tion stretched and rolled onto his back. They had washed their clothes, spread them to dry over sunny rocks, and spread a blanket to make love. Conway was gone the entire time.
     
    “What if he’s in trouble?”
     
    Kail groaned. “Be reasonable, Tion. He’s ten times our size. What kind of trouble could he possibly get into?”
     
    “That’s just it. I don’t know.”
     
    “What is it with him, Tee? I’ve never seen you like this.” Kail moved to lay his head on Tion’s chest. “You aren’t turning him into a pet, are you?”
     
    “I don’t know. Maybe,” Tion admitted, running his fingers through Kail’s sun-bleached golden curls. “He said he was cursed.”
     
    Kail slapped Tion’s chest. “His only curse is that he was born human.” He kissed away the faint red mark his slap left on Tion’s burnished bronze skin. “They can't help being ignorant and clueless.”
     
    “And I can't help thinking there is something in him worth looking after. You’d see that if you weren’t so damned stubborn.”
     
    Kail stiffened for a moment and then relaxed. “I know,” he sighed. “But Tion, he’s an oaf.”
     
    A shadow passed over the pair, and Tion shivered. “I can hear you, you know.” Conway sat down with his back to the pair. “Could you maybe cover up a little?”
     
    “Do you have a problem with us loving each other?” Kail demanded irritably. “Because if you do….”
     
    “No! No. It’s not that at all,” Conway assured them, peeking over his shoulder and squeezing his eyes shut hastily as Kail stood and planted his fists on his hips. “It’s just… you’re… I….”
     
    White light exploded all around the sprites, leaving behind a shimmering cloud of gold sparkles as it faded. The sparkles disappeared just as quickly, and Tion shook his head to clear away the purple blotches swimming in his vision.
     
    “What the hell was that?” Kail demanded. “Did you—” He broke off, speechless.
     
    Conway was no longer the size of a mountain.
     

3
     

     
    Tion stood, clutching Kail’s shoulder for support. “Conway?” His voice was shaking and strange.
     
    Conway’s face fell as he turned to face the sprites. “Guys, I’m so sorry.”
     
    “Conway,” Tion said. “What happened to you?”
     
    “What do you mean you’re sorry?”