Laughing at Danger by Zenina Masters Page A

maintenance.”
    “I was careful not to discuss this until you were firmly mine.”
    She made a fist and thumped his back. “Well, I suppose we should join our reception.”
    “I suppose we should.”
    He kept his arm around her as they descended the steps to greet their well-wishers.
    Ivy, Teebie and Spike gave her a hug and wished her well. It was gratifying that they had all snuck out of work.
    Lima met and greeted other fey that Lyros introduced her to, and finally, Teal cleared her throat. “The transport has been arranged. We are ready when you are.”
    It was as polite a dismissal as could be managed under the circumstances. There was another couple wishing to use the space, and so, it was time for Lima and Lyros to leave.
    Her mate offered her his arm, and she inclined her head before taking it. They left their reception and walked directly to the Meditation Centre.
    Their bags were waiting for them along with a new piece of luggage. Lima grinned when she checked and it was all the new clothing that Andy had foisted off on her.
    With the smile still on her lips, she stepped into Lyros’s embrace and held on as they were transported back to his home in the human world.
     
    Lima had to admit, his servants nearly looked human. They were half or quarter goblin, and they accepted her arrival with noncommittal shrugs.
    “They will get used to you.” He walked her into the historic home with one arm around her waist.
    “I am sure they will, but I am wondering if I will get used to them.”
    He grinned. “I have faith that you can adapt to just about anything.”
    “Speaking of adapting, are you ready to do your first shift?”
    “Certainly. I think we should probably change.”
    She laughed. “Probably. Pick something stretchy.”
    The servants had unpacked and hung up the clean clothing while removing the dirty clothing for laundry. Efficient buggers.
    She looked around and used her senses to locate the clothing she had had in her bag. “Success!”
    She dug out a sports bra, t-shirt and some exercise pants. Her sneakers were nowhere to be seen. “Fine, I am going barefoot.”
    Lyros had his elegant and heavily embroidered coat off, and he hung it up. “Is that a problem?”
    “Nope.” She unzipped her dress, and it fell to the ground. She stepped into the leggings and pulled them over her hips before putting the bra on and yanking the t-shirt over it.
    When she was done, she wandered over to the bed and hopped onto the edge, waiting.
    He was wearing cycling shorts when he finally turned to see her. The snug fit was fun to look at.
    “Come on. Can’t you feel him scrambling around in your head?”
    “I can.”
    “What is the camera situation like outside?”
    “Nothing in the forest. There is a camera angle aimed at the back stone patio as that is where folks arrive from if they are transported. The rest of the house is warded against transport. We will be fine as long as we change in the woods.”
    “Okay. I don’t want to get you in trouble.”
    He grinned. “I do want to get you in trouble.”
    She blinked and then caught onto the reference. “Sex will have to be engaged in for that particular event, and I am pretty sure that you are going to be too exhausted by the change to do much of anything.”
    “I may surprise you.”
    She grinned. “Impressive talk for a half-dressed man wearing sneakers. Are you ready?”
    “I am.”
    “Let’s go then.”
    He grinned and took her hand, hauling her after him through the halls of his home and out into the enormous back yard and across the lawn to the edging of forest.
    “Take me to a meadow, and we will get started. How much of this is yours?”
    “I have a hundred and sixty acres. It was given to the fey in the eighteen hundreds when I took up residence.” He smiled.
    She felt the bracken and twigs under her feet and shifted them into her tougher paws.
    Shifting her legs caused her to cant forward a little, but she kept up with him.
    The meadow