Asterion was not at all what she had thought him to be. True, he was a bit unfamiliar with many modern things, but that was not unlike a lot of the denizens around those parts. He was honest, and that was quite refreshing. But the gray sweatpants, fucking hell, those were her kryptonite. After that first night, he’d taken to wearing them every night after he showered from his long day of working on the barn.

  It had been almost a week. Five days, at least, of Fanny watching every flex and stretch as he stood up after he ate whatever she cooked without complaint and excused himself to sleep outdoors. The man had a perfectly good room—with a bed—but night after night, he changed into his Bull and stayed outdoors. Tonight was Tuesday and Fanny had promised to help him pick out something nice to wear before the big Speed Dating, whatever, that would take place at the Café the next evening.

  They’d eaten early, and Asterion was waiting for her outside—in his gray sweatpants.

  Her eye twitched, Fanny’s inner-Demon growled softly at the idea of other women ogling him as they walked through town.

  Oh no.

  She was getting territorial.

  This was so not good.

  Fanny exhaled a deep breath, knowing this was going to cause her some serious setbacks in her own personal growth. Maybe she should tell him to change.

  But how could she do that without giving it away?

  Hey, can you change your pants?

  Your cock looks too fucking fantastic in those, and it kinda makes me want to zap everyone’s eyes off their fucking head when they look at you?

  Yeah, cause that would go over really well.

  Fanny was so screwed. She had no claim on him but tell that to her inner Demon. The fiery freak had a crush the size of Texas, and there was her Magic too. She was always feeling tingles and precognizant little vibes whenever he was about to appear in one of the workrooms she was in or the kitchen when she was cooking.

  He’d had even surprised her by making lunch one day—peanut butter and jelly—which he ate very carefully and drank a gallon of vanilla soy milk with it. He made her laugh, something Fanny did not easily do these days. She had no one to laugh with, not really. Her parents had gone away to enjoy their retirement, and sure, she had students and clients, but there were few people she could truly call friend. Hers was a solitary life, and it was meant to be that way.

  Asterion was not hers.

  If she was his, he would know it by now. Shifters had this sixth sense that told them when someone was their fated mate. Though she was not entirely sure how it worked, Fanny knew she did not possess such a thing.

  Not mine.

  Not mine.

  He is not mine.

  She told herself that repeatedly throughout the last few days. And again now, as they walked down the main road to town. People were staring at them, getting their fill of the Witch who lived on the very edge of the Underworld, and her behemoth of a housemate.

  “I had no idea there were so many shops in the Underworld,” he mentioned.

  “Yes, we are a thriving little hotspot.”

  “Ah ha, you are being facetious. Well, it is a lovely spot, Fanny Meyers. A nice place to call home.”

  “I mean, I think so. I lived topside a while, and it just was not the right fit for me at all.”

  “Why not?”

  “I suppose it’s hard to hide up there. I mean, I’m a Witch but I am also half Demon, and my powers are kind of difficult to mask.”

  “Your powers? Oh, do you mean your tendency to zap innocent people, and bulls, on their rears?” he asked, appearing innocent, but she knew better.

  “Ha! Yeah, right. Only when those innocent bulls tear down my shop,” she replied and snorted.

  “Did you just snort?!”

  Fanny covered her mouth.

  OMG!

  She was so embarrassed. The guy was an eleven on a scale of one to ten, and she snorted while talking to him.

  Holy fuck, Fanny, might as well just start burping and farting while you’re at it!

  “You’re cute when you snort,” he continued, and that was when she lost her balance and almost crashed right into him as he paused to look at a small nethertree. The trunk was gnarled and black as soot and leaves were blood red, but it was still beautiful in its own way, she supposed.

  “What is that?”

  “A nethertree. They only grow in the Underworld,” she explained.

  “Interesting. Oh, I saw the planters your class has been working on. They are very nice,” Asterion casually remarked.

  She’d learned with him it was best not to rush. Whenever he had a story or question, the Bull Shifter often needed a moment to get there. He furrowed his perfectly arched brows, pursed those plump, pouty lips, and mulled over whatever was going on his unique brain over before speaking. It was a cute quirk, and Fanny loved watching him do it. The fact he was doing it now made her heart beat a little faster, and she had to turn away, lest he see her adoration for him painting her face bright pink.

  Oh fucking hell.

  Fanny was in so much trouble. She had a crush. A really big one. If she was not careful, Fanny Meyers was going to lose her head, and her heart, over this Bull.

  “Um, thank you. I don’t know when you would have had the time to look. You have been so busy with the construction, which looks fabulous, by the way.”

  “You think so? I hope you don’t mind, I took it upon myself to even out the rafters where there’d been some repairs on the barn. I also took out some of the rotted wood, so you don’t have to worry about the roof caving in on you or anything like that—”

  “Wow. I had no idea. Thank you, Asterion. You should know, I think you are doing a great job.”

  “My pleasure, Fanny. That means quite a lot coming from you,” he replied, rubbing his neck with his hands.

  “Hey Fanny, I got another one for you!” one of the old-time shopkeepers called out.

  “Oh no,” she whispered, mortified at what was about to transpire.

  “What is it?” Asterion asked.

  “Nothing, it’s nothing,” she replied quietly, waving at the old man. “I am so sorry, Mr. Nettle. I don’t have time to stop today. Maybe some other time, all right?”

  “It’s a quick one, Fanny. Come on over!”

  “Shit,” she muttered and stopped, holding her hand to her ear. With any luck, the old cook would let her walk away—but of course, Fanny had no such luck.

  “Okay, ready? So, last night, I was sitting in my living room, getting ready for a nice relaxing evening by myself, and I accidentally butt-dialed my own ex-wife—ready for it?” he asked, pausing dramatically before shouting the rest of the horrible joke. “It was the first booty call I ever made! You get it, Fanny? BOOTY-CALL! Ha ha ha!”

  “Oh, yeah, I get it, Mr. Nettle. Good one,” she replied, smiling weakly before she turned her head. Fanny’s cheeks burned with mortification.

  Would it never end?

  Ugh.

  “What was all that?” Asterion asked, his expression confused, even as he turned and glared at Mr. Nettle. The old man squeaked and rushed inside his shop, closing the door, and locking it for good measure.

  Nice Bull.

  Good man.

  “Butt jokes. Another awful, tasteless, and crass butt joke at my expense. Everyone makes them, you know, because of my name,” she mumbled.

  “What about your name?”

  “My name is Fanny, get it?” she said, expelling a harsh breath.

  “No. I am sorry, what does your name have to do with someone’s backside?”

  Fanny’s eyes widened.

  Really?

  Was he not going to roll around the floor guffawing like some idiot over some insensitive, juvenile joke like the one Mr. Nettle had just told her?

  She squinted at him but could not see or feel any lie in his expression or words. Just pure curiosity.

  Interesting.

  “People think I must like butt jokes because my name is Fanny, and that’s another word some folks use for a butt. It’s old fashioned, and dumb, but there it is,” she explained in a rush of words, trying not to blush.

  “Huh. You know, I might be a bit out of touch with modern society, Fanny, but it sounds like those people are morons. Jokes are supposed to make you happy, and you clearly did not enjoy that. Besides, I think your name is as pretty as you are.”

  “Yeah, right,” she said, trying not to snort again. But come on. He was a god—literally. He did not have to feed her any lines. It was pointless.

  Asterion frowned and paused, resting his hand on her elbow.

  “Fanny, I mean it. You are so very pretty. Those incredible color-changing eyes are pure Magic, and your smile is just lovely,” Asterion murmured, staring at her for so long, she felt herself warm under his intent gaze.

  Wow.

  No one had ever made her feel quite like that before.

  Fanny felt her steps growing heavier and heavier the closer they got to town.

  She noticed the stares they were getting from people, but who was she kidding?

  It was him they were looking at as they walked to Metamorphosis. Asterion was a big, beautiful giant of a man, and Fanny was just herself.

  He looked like one of those hot construction workers from some silly romance flick in his sweats and tight t-shirt, with his work boots carelessly untied as he strode beside her. His gait was steady, unhurried, and full of confidence.

  Perfectly yummy.

  Of course, she was not the only one who noticed. A beautiful redhead was coming out of the coffee shop, and she swiveled on her heel, giving him a steady once over. The female was tall, thin, and stacked, gorgeous in a mini-dress and heels. Fanny looked down at her simple cotton peasant dress and her flats, and gnawed on her lip.

  Nope. There was literally no contest. That woman was a ten, and Fanny was a six at most. She was cute. Perfect friend material with the occasional drunk booty call thrown in. At least, that was what her last boyfriend had said.

  “Hi,” the stranger said, giving him one of those come hither looks.

  He nodded his head and gave her a two finger wave, catching Fanny as she attempted to mimic that sexy smolder.

  “Are you okay? Is something in your eye?”

  “What? Oh, uh, here we are,” she changed the subject and pointed to the door of her bestie’s boutique. “Ari has the sign up forms for the Speed Dating thing inside, you can fill them out after you are fitted for your outfit.”

  “Great. But, um, is this store for women only?” he asked, and she could tell he was a little nervous.

  Fanny shook her head, guiding him inside, and enjoying his slight panic as the two females inside shrieked with their arrival.

  Silly Bull.

  “Fanny!” Arachne rounded the counter and hugged her tightly, while giving Asterion a long look.

  “Wowza! You are one big dude!” the Spider Shifter exclaimed.

  Shaking her head, Ari sent her silver locks flowing toward her back while she started measuring Asterion. The woman was so effortlessly beautiful, Fanny could never believe she had been single for so long.

  It had finally taken a stubborn as fuck Demon to claim Fanny’s friend, and she had never seen the woman happier. Gabriella, the other woman in the shop, was a Werewolf mated to the Demon of Lust himself. She’d left her life on Earth to live in the Underworld with her mate, and it was always a pleasure to see her.

  “OMG! Ari so did that to you on purpose,” she whispered, and pointed at the pants knowingly.

  “No shit.”

  “Well? Anything, you know, happen between you two,” she continued to whisper while Arachne proceeded to question Asterion about what he needed and wanted.

  “About payment—”

  “I don’t talk money while I am creating,” she snapped, and sent a hundred tiny spiders crawling up his back.

  “That tickles,” he growled, trying to remain still as the little spiders wove their magic cloth quickly.

  “I am going to disrobe you now, but don’t worry, you will remain covered. Mostly,” she grinned and snapped her fingers.

  “How did you do that?” Asterion question, not even bothering to cover himself up.

  “All my products have a fail switch, and this makes it easier for me to get the job done here quickly. Now, I need to see your beast.”

  “You need to see my Bull? In here?”

  “Don’t worry, this area is magicked so you can’t do any damage. Please, I need to take your weight and measurements before I can create a fabric that can withstand your power and size.”

  “Makes sense,” he said, and unlike other Shifters whose change was slow and painful, Asterion seemed to simply blink out of existence as a man, and then back in as his Bull.

  “Magnificent,” Arachne commented, then set her spiders to their work.

  “He is huge!” Gabby exclaimed.

  “Yes.” Fanny beamed, proud of him and his beautiful beast.

  He was a good Bull too, standing straight and allowing Arachne to get his weight and measurements.

  Fanny walked across the floor, unable to stop herself. She could see it now, a beautiful miniature of his beast, painted and glazed, though she wondered if there existed anywhere in the world a white paint as pure as his hide. Without thinking, she reached out a hand.

  “Fanny, I would not do that. Bulls are dangerous,” Arachne warned, but she was too late.

  She was already touching the smooth, soft fur that covered his head. Miracle of miracles, he was letting her. The Minotaur snorted and pushed his head more firmly into her hand, causing Fanny to laugh. The air began to hum, growing heavy with magic, and soon, fur turned to smooth, bronzed skin.

  “Oh,” she whispered, but he just stared, his eyes still held the red flames of his Bull.

  “Um, here,” Ari said, breaking up the moment.

  She tossed a burgundy shroud over his nudity, but Fanny was not looking anywhere but at his eyes. Feeling her cheeks grow hot, she stepped back, breaking eye contact as Ari finished her work.

  “Ready?” Asterion asked some minutes later, after he’d finished the sign up form. He was dressed again in his gray sweats and t-shirt, looking far more sexy than any man deserved.

  Fanny nodded, still unable to meet his gaze. Something had happened between them in those moments when he’d been in his fur, and she’d touched him. Her hands still tingled from the contact and when she looked down, she saw sparks of Magic swirling and dancing along her skin.

  “Mind if we stop here?” he asked, and motioned to ButterNut Bakery.

  “Sure. I could use something sweet,” Fanny replied and followed him inside.

  While she was picking out a few sweet rolls to take home, Fanny noticed Asterion had walked over to where Hera was working on something behind the counter. She ran her own Apothecary where she created potions to cure all kinds of ailments and ease the burden of childbirth. Fanny was a huge fan, and she was mildly curious about their conversation.

  The goddess barked out a short laugh before handing Asterion a small envelope, which he promptly tucked into his pocket. He bowed his head and returned to Fanny, who was ready to go, anyway. Curiosity begged her to ask, but she refused.

  Not my business.

  “Hope you like sweet rolls,” she murmured.

  “They smell excellent,” he replied, and his brown eyes were dancing with delight.

  Whatever secrets the Bull Shifter had, they were his to keep. It was none of her business. And that was what she told herself, on repeat, as they walked back home. Eeek. No, not home—it was her home. He was just visiting. Soon, the barn would be finished and Asterion would be moseying out of her life and into his own.

  “Why did you come to Purgatory?” she asked once they were seated around her dining table.

  Tonight’s dinner consisted of a hearty kale and bean soup with roasted, honey-glazed pumpkin and parsnips. These were her favorite recipes, and she was eager for him to try them.

  Silly girl.

  “Oh, well, my servant, or prison guard—depending on how you look at it—um, he died, rather suddenly. Alfred’s body just sort of disappeared after, and the key to the labyrinth was all that remained. I did not even know he had such a thing. He was the one who brought in the sacrifices, of course, but I never put it together. Stupid, really. Anyway, I was finally free after so many centuries, though to be honest, time works differently for beings like us, doesn’t it?”

  “I suppose it does. Wow, you know, I can’t even imagine what that must have been like for you,” she replied, her heart breaking for him a little. Sweet, trusting man. “But why come here, of all places?”

  “Oh,” he said, cocking his head to the side and mulling over his answer. She liked watching him think, knowing he was taking his time to deliver something truthful, meaningful. “This is kind of a secret, but if I was going to tell anyone, it would be you, Fanny Meyers,” he whispered, his voice filling with that deep, gravelly tone she was starting to become addicted to. “I’d heard about the Speed Dating here in the Underworld, and I was intrigued. You see, one thing about being a monster who commands sacrifices has taught me was that, well, women are quite frightening.”

  “Ha! How do you mean?” she replied with a chuckle.

  “Well, I would wish for you to see me as a man of the world, but alas, I have lived a very sheltered life. I am no man, or woman-eater, despite the rumors. I have never enjoyed the company of another, and my beast, well, he desires to find a mate—”

  Fanny’s heart was pounding inside her chest. The rhythmic tattoo thudding so hard, she thought she might break a rib or two.

  Could he really be saying what she thought he was saying?

  Gulp.

  Holy cow.

  “Wait, are you a—”

  “Virgin? Yes, I am,” Asterion stated boldly. “But I was hoping you could help me with that.”

  It was like time had stopped inside her small kitchen. Fanny lifted her gaze to his, making sure she was hearing him correctly.

  Was he really asking her to be his first?

  “What? No!” she screeched, standing up so quickly, she almost upended her own table.

  “Please, Fanny,” he begged. “I know you have no reason to want to help me, but I am here to find a mate, and well, I mess so many things up with my clumsy ways. I can’t go to Speed Dating tomorrow with no idea on how to please a mate. Fanny, I am begging you. I don’t want to mess this up. Will you help me?”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9