Several more days passed, and I sort of settled into life with Lear around. Although to be fair, I'd adjusted to having him around after just one day, really. The way we’d been introduced, him saving me from being stabbed by a goblin had endeared me to him pretty quickly, despite the way he'd sort of tricked his way into the cottage, which I'd more than forgiven him of.

Each day he helped with what he could, learning what he couldn't already do as we went along. He really was a quick study.

“It’s surprisingly warm out today.” the tall fey man told me, coming in from outside.

“Oh?” That was heartening news. “Well, good. It’s about time it starts to warm up. I’m ready for winter to be over!”

Lear shook his head, “Winter isn’t over yet, there’s still a month more at least. We’re just having a warm snap.”

“Pity.” I sighed.

“Do you have a moment to use some magic on me?”

“Sure!” I stood up from the sewing machine, glad to give my foot a break from the pedal. “Annie!” I called.

My ever loyal cat familiar appeared when called, and padded over to us.

“Hello, my love!” I giggled, bending to kiss her forehead. “Let’s help Lear."

She maowed agreeably, and hopped up onto the couch, watching me and the fey man expectantly.

Sensing that attention was being had, Lou be-bopped out from wherever she’d been hiding and demanded kisses.

“Oh, just a minute, Diana! You have a demanding little sister!” I giggled, bending to smother Lou with kisses, as she’d wanted.

Lear went ahead and sat on the couch. “Both of your sisters are ridiculous, Diana.” he commented, reaching out to stroke her head.

My familiar had warmed up to him pretty well now, and allowed the gentle touch. She even started to purr.

“Aw, you’re so sweet.” I smiled, finally going to sit with them.

Reaching out, I put one hand on Diana’s back, and Lear took my other hand in his. It never failed to make me flush slightly. I turned my focus to Diana. Pulling for my magic, I felt for hers, and directed it into Lear.

He groaned, as he usually did, and leaned back. “Gods, it’s nice.”

“Good.” I smiled. “You’re a little different, so I can’t really tell how well I’m doing, but do you think it’s helping at all?”

“Yes. I should try a little more magic today.”

That’d be interesting to see. “Just don’t push yourself too hard, I know it hurts."

“I won’t.” he murmured, smiling at me, then standing and stretching. “I'll think of something fun to show you."

“Well, while you're thinking about that, I'll get started on salves again.” It was a never-ending process for me, really. I stood, meaning to go to the kitchen.

Lear’s head snapped suddenly towards the door, “Someone’s coming.” his second eyes flicked open. “Fey?” he frowned, “Or…no?” He darted to the window, then sighed. “A dwarf. No wonder.”

“Oh?” I blinked, then hurried to the door just as there was a knock. I opened it, “Dern! How can I help you?”

The dwarf stood at about four feet tall, and had a long brown beard. He had thoughtful grey eyes, and wore a long, simple cloak over his simple clothing.

Dern bowed in the fashion of his people. “I was told you’a been helping some folk ‘round here wif’ some strange problems.”

“As much as I can, yes.” I stepped aside to admit him.

Dwarves were technically considered fey, but they were a branch all on their own. They were great smiths, crafts-folk, and inventors. I'd always been told they were capable warriors, and they were the one kind of fey who could enter dwellings without invitation, since they weren't particularly tricky or dangerous. They used magic predominantly in the form of runes, but I knew Dern also had a fire manipulation ability.

Dern turned to Lear, “I was also told you had a fey fella here.” he bowed in greeting. “I’m Dern.”

“Lear.” the fey man replied, bowing in response.

“Don’t usually care much ‘fer high fey folk, but you seem like a polite chap.”

I smiled. Dern was always somewhat blunt, but was also incredibly honest. I’d been told that was pretty common, amongst dwarves. They were trusty folk, which was why they weren’t beholden to the same rules regarding dwellings as the rest of the fey.

“I’m behaving myself while under Winna’s care.” Lear replied slowly. He watched the dwarf with interest, and I wondered if he’d not had many dealings with them before.

“I see, I see. Might not wanna stick around here if you plan to misbehave once yer healed. Folk won’t thank you if you do.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Lear smiled amusedly.

“So, something is causing you enough of a problem that you walked all the way here from town?” I asked.

“Yes’m. Something has been eatin’ my metal.” the dwarf nodded.

“Eating…metal?” I blinked, taken aback.

“I’ve gone out to me forge a couple of days in a row now, and there have been bite marks in the ingots I keep out there. Contrary to what some folks think, we dwarves don’t eat metal,” he laughed at his own joke, “we just shape it! So I know it’s not me sleep-walkin’ or anythin’ of that nature!”

“Of course!” I laughed. “Well, I’d be happy to try to help. I’ve never heard of anything that eats metal before though, but maybe Lear has?”

“There are all sorts of fey, high and low.” he shrugged, “I’ll need to see more before I could say.”

“Well, if you’re not busy, I’d be obliged for you to come now.” Dern told us. “That metal is part o’ me livelihood, I can’ afford to have it get eaten!”

“You caught us between tasks, so yes, we can go now.” I nodded.

Lear was already slipping his feet into boots and said, “I’ll hook Poppy up to the cart so we don’t have to walk. Given we’re going into town, you might want to change into something less dirty.” He eyed my dress, which had dirt from the barn on it.

“Good point.” I grimaced. “I’ll go change and then be right out.”

“I’ll wait outside, tis a fine day!” Dern said, then went outside.

Lear followed the dwarf out, shooting me an amused look.

Hurrying back to my bedroom, I put on the one dress I had that could still be considered somewhat nice, and then left again, throwing on my coat and nicer pair of winter shoes, grabbing my purse, and finally heading outside as well.

Dern was sitting on the top step of the porch, and Lear was leading Poppy and the cart from the barn as I stepped out.

An almost spring-like breeze tossed my curls. “Oh, what a lovely day!” I sighed, tilting my head back to enjoy the sun on my face. “I can’t wait for spring!”

“It’s still winter, but jus’ be patient! Spring will be here before you know it. Don’t be so eager for time to pass, Miss Winna, it moves swiftly enough without our wishes.” Dern told me.

I smiled. “I know, I know. I just prefer warm weather. I can open the windows and be outside.”

“Ready?” Lear asked, stepping easily onto the cart's bench.

“Yep!” I nodded, and hopped down the stairs.

Dern followed at a more sedate pace, saying, “I’ll ride in the back."

“Sure.” I nodded, “Can I sit on the bench with you, Lear?”

The tall fey man slid over, patting the spot next to him, and winking one of his gorgeous green cat eyes. “Any time.”

“Oh, don’t you start!” I rolled my eyes at him as he flicked the reins. Poppy started down the path. “Go that way.” I directed. “It’s a straight shot into town from here.”

“Right.” he nodded.

We rode in silence for a little while.

A thought occurred to me. The women would completely mob Lear, as wickedly attractive, interesting, and new as he was, and I didn’t look forward to having to deal with that.

“Oh, also, I don’t want you causing trouble by flirting with the women in town, alright?”

He shot a sidelong glance at me and murmured, “Jealous?”

“What? No, of course not!” My face heated, “You’ll give them heart attacks, or make them jealous! You’re planning on leaving here once you’re healed, anyways. Meaningful connections are something of a moot point when you’re just going to leave!” Something about this filled me with immense sadness.

-

Pain crept into Winna’s voice, and he saw tears in her dark eyes. She’d said similar things before, of course, and he’d suspected that, deep down, she didn’t want him to go, even when he’d been healed, but he’d not seen any true evidence of it until that moment.

It struck him that it hurt to hear her upset, and to know she was hurting because of him.

“Winna-” he started.

But she cut him off, closing her eyes, and shaking her head. “I just don’t want any drama or attention. I-I’m sure that if Dern knows that you're staying at my cottage, then the entire town probably knows, too! Goodness knows what they’re saying about me, having you there, even if you are only staying until you’re healed.”

So, the young woman was upset that he'd be leaving, she hadn't really been able to hide that from him, but she was also upset about the idea that people were gossiping about her as well. How irksome. “Well, if you don’t want as much attention, I could make myself stick out a lot less. You wanted to see more magic, right?”

“Uh-huh.” she mumbled, nodding and rubbing her eyes with her fists.

“Alright then, I think I can manage simple illusion magic to look less interesting.”

“Knowing you, you’ll still be stupidly handsome.” Winna muttered, still a little dejected.

Making himself look like a very plain, unassuming human would be perfectly simple, but he still wanted her to be attracted to him, so didn’t mention that fact. “Well, of course!" he snorted, "But they’re more used to a good looking human man than a high fey fellow just riding into town like he owns the place.”

The young mage gave a watery sort of smile.

“Here.” he passed her the reins, and pulled carefully for his magic, taking it slowly. The poison in his blood throbbed in protest, but then relented, and he smiled triumphantly, letting the illusion flow across him.

“Well, that’s interesting.” Winna said.

Lear opened his eyes, and took the reins from her small, five-fingered hands. “Better?”

“Still handsome.” she shrugged.

“Yep.” Lear nodded, “Do you have a mirror? I have a general idea of what I look like, but I’d like to actually see it.”

“Hmm, let’s see. I should.” the young woman rummaged in her purse, and held out a small hand mirror.

“Thanks.” he took it and held it up with one hand, keeping Poppy on track with the other pretty easily.

Normal green eyes instead of those of a cat, and certainly not a second set of eyes, no fangs, no forked tongue, no scales, no wings, and no claws. Not that he kept the wings and claws out all the time, anyways. And no pointed ears. Still good-looking though. Ridiculously so, she was right.

“You’re recognizable.” she told him thoughtfully. “I wasn’t sure you would be.”

“I wanted to look human, not trade my face for another’s.” he shrugged. “Besides, you like my face as it is, I didn’t want to lose that.”

Winna rolled her eyes at him. “Oh hush.”

Lear reached out casually and let himself take one of her hands, “How do you want to play it if someone asks about me?"

Instead of protesting or rolling her eyes, as he half expected her to, she sighed and shook her head, “I mean, there’s no harm in telling the truth, I guess. Or rather, maybe if they mention having heard there was a fey person with me, or something. I just don’t want all eyes on us from the moment we go into town.” Her small fingers tightened around his.

“Alright.” he nodded.

“Nor do I want to be mobbed by every woman who sets eyes on you. I don’t like being around people enough for that…though they might set on us anyways, with that face.” Winna sounded pensive.

Lear laughed, “Just relax, it’s going to be fine! We’ll go straight to Dern’s home and his forge, then leave.”

“No, we should get you some clothes while we’re here. That’s why I brought my purse.”

“I have money.” Lear blinked.

The young woman looked startled, “But you didn’t have any bags or anything with you, how could you?”

“Give me a little more credit than that! I had pockets.” he laughed. That she’d left the cottage fully prepared to buy him new clothes with her own hard-earned money really was very touching, and he wanted her to know it. Lear pulled her hand to his lips. “You are one of the kindest people I’ve met. I’m very grateful to consider you a friend.” he murmured, now serious. “But you don’t have to spend money on me.”

“B-but…how could a wallet that fits into a pocket in a way that I couldn't see it hold any great amount of money? Clothes aren’t cheap!” she squeaked. Her face was bright red, but she still didn't pull her hand away from his.

Lear kissed her fingers again, then said, “It’s enchanted, love. Much like the way I can hide my wings.”

“Oh. How does that work? You said it would take some explaining, and we have time now."

“Hmm." he thought for a moment, trying to condense the explanation into something easy to understand. "The magic makes an expanded pocket within of sorts that we’re able to access. For the wallet, you only have to open it up and stick your hand in, like you normally do. For the wings,” he pulled out the necklace he kept beneath his shirt, revealing the rune carved onto the surface of the simple, black stone pendant, “we use a very small bit of magic to activate and deactivate a rune like this to pull them in and out.”

“That’s dwarf-made.” Dern observed. The dwarf had mostly stayed out of the conversation until that point, which had been very tactful of him.

Lear nodded, “Yes. I’ve had one since I was young so I don’t always have to deal with my wings running into everything. Always of dwarvish make, they’re the most reliable option because the magic is rune-based.”

“Never falters, rarely fails!” Dern sounded proud.

“Very true.” Lear nodded.

“That’s very interesting…a pocket in space.” Winna mused.

“It’s very useful.” Dern commented, “We dwarves use it mostly for storage purposes, but the fey folk have come up with some very clever uses, as is their wont.”

“We are a clever bunch. Not as reliable as your kin though.”

“That’s true.” the dwarf nodded readily.