Page 112 of The Knucker King

There he was.

Everything fell away but him.

Trewoofe shone in the light. She had not realised how much she had missed his shimmering, iridescent scales, bone white claws and fangs, and blazing red eyes.

She was rooted to the spot.

His rudder-like tail twitched. “Little witch, are you well?”

Avice, your mouth is open, Bramble sniped as he sauntered ahead of her. He stood in front of the Well King and dipped his head. I am glad to see you returned, Lord.

Trewoofe dropped his gaze to the Grim. “Thank you.” He turned his attention back to her. “Avice, why are you all the way over there? I hope I am not scaring you.”

She blinked out of her stupor. “No, Lord. The opposite.” She made her way over to him. “I was admiring how handsome you looked. If I am honest, I missed your body like this in many ways.”

If Knuckers could smile, Trewoofe would. “Thank you.”

He lowered his muzzle and rubbed the very tip of it against her cheek. Avice stole a kiss, pressing her lips against the soft scales between his nostrils, eliciting a purr from deep within his chest.

“Time for me to take Mary.”

Trewoofe kept his snout pressed to Avice as he offered his forepaw.

She swallowed the lump caught in her throat. “Yes…” she agreed, voice cracking. “Be safe as you go.” She lowered the sleeping baby to the central, soft pad.

She watched, kissing his snout again, as he folded his dextrous toes over the child. Avice knew she would be safer in the Knucker’s massive paw than she would be in a cradle.

Trewoofe nuzzled against her, flicking his tongue to catch the tears that managed to escape without her realising. “When can I return?”

Avice considered his question. She had to attend to her patients. While she loved having Trewoofe with her, she also needed a moment to herself: to breathe, to process everything that had happened between them, and figure out how it would all work while they both did their duty. That was, if she wanted to still do her duty. Did she even want to continue providing her services after her recent treatment from the villagers? Yet another thing for her to think about. She let out a sigh and bit back the words she really wanted to say: “take me with you”.

“Not tomorrow, but the day after. At twilight. I will make you a meal and we can talk about our courtship,” she replied.

“Why so long?” he grumbled.

“I am sorry.” She gestured at him to lower his head further, so his ear was right beside her lips. “We can also continue what we started last night.”

His ear twitched, and his purr deepened. He flicked his tongue out, licking her from the sweep of her shoulder to the lobe of her ear. It was hot, wet, and made her blood sing. Trewoofe did it again, making her giggle and roll her shoulders.

“My King.” She pulled away from him before she asked him to lick somewhere else. “I must get to Goodwife Emma’s home, and you to the Underneath.”

“I will see you two days from now. Until then, goodbye and be safe.” Trewoofe turned and dipped his head at Bramble. “Look after her.”

The Grim wagged his tail. Always.

Avice marched double-time through the woods, with Bramble by her side, in the direction of Emma’s home. She wore no cloak or gloves as the weather was mild and she relished the warm breeze on her skin. She wished she could linger – and marvel – at the season she and Trewoofe had swept across the land with their combined magic, but the relentless call of duty forced her onward.

Instead, she moved through the woods as quickly as possible, her heavy medical satchel bouncing against her hip. She caught the whiff of primrose, foxgloves, and daisies as she rushed by, flaring her nostrils appreciatively at the scent. Two courting rabbits chased each other down the well-used path, one dashing ahead of the other, looking back, and wiggling their tail at the chaser.

Bramble raised his hackles and lowered his head, preparing to stalk them.

“Do not!” Avice exclaimed.

Why not? he asked, cocking his head at her. You usually do not mind when I hunt.

“Because…” She continued her approach and watched as they darted into the briars on the side of the path, disappearing into the tangle. “I am just so happy to see them. I cannot remember the last time I saw a rabbit.”

A half dozen sparrows flitted and hopped ahead of them. Twittering, whistling, and flaunting their tail feathers. It was as though the whole woods were drunk on passion; even the trees swayed their blossomed branches seductively, luring over pollen heavy bumblebees.