My traitorous magic hefted me into the waxing night that wrapped the pool area in deep shadows. I was deposited with no fanfare a few yards from the entrance. The wisps of silver strands faded to nothing and I was left to glare at the air.

Still, I had to admit it had brought me to a nice spot. The sky was a curtain of black and a crescent moon glowed softly among its folds, casting its gentle light over everything. I felt a strange sort of lightness as I stared at the crescent moon. Its light seemed to descend and drape itself over my furry body, giving me another soft, warm coat.

The night that wrapped around me reminded me of my adventures in the land realm and the subsequent conversations between Dadan and Yushir.

Even immortal gods have big things to worry about I mused as I stood and padded down the path.

A faint breeze wafted past me from behind and disturbed the water’s surface with tiny ripples. I trotted to the water’s edge and looked into the pool.

My eyes widened as I beheld my face, only it wasn’t the one with the whiskers. It was truly my human face complete with long shimmering silver hair and smooth, whisker-less cheeks. The only change was the crescent moon mark still lay on my forehead. I reached up to brush my paw against my skin but my pad had changed into a human hand.

I jumped to my feet and looked down at myself. An ethereal glow surrounded me, giving me a translucent appearance in a soft white light. Still, I could make out my human shape and the elegant robes I’d last worn. I stretched my arms out on either side of me and turned in a circle. A smile spread across my face and a laugh escaped me. I was myself again! No more worrying about fleas!

My dance caused me to spin under the shade of a nearby tree. I fell against the trunk but caught myself. However, I froze when I beheld not human hands holding the bark but cat paws. I looked down at myself and watched as my human shape began to change back into the cat.

Fear gripped my heart and I stumbled backward away from the tree. Immediately, my translucent human form returned. I lifted my hands and turned them over. The bright moon reflected off my pale, glowing skin. I raised my hand to the moon and the glow seemed to brighten.

Then it hit me and I smiled up at the night light that twinkled down on me. “Thank you,” I whispered as I clutched my hands against my chest. “I suppose this won’t last, will it?” I swore the moon seemed to twinkle in agreement. I looked down at myself and smiled. “Then I guess I should enjoy it while it lasts.”

I spun in a circle and danced around the pool, my reflection glowing in the bright light. It was great to again feel my bare feet against the ground and the gentle breeze through my hair. I stopped, out of breath and laughing, at the edge of the water where my reflection smiled back at me.

A tingling sensation teased the back of my mind and I felt compelled to turn around. My breath stopped when I found myself staring into the bright eyes of Lord Eastwei. He stood twenty feet away at the mouth of the path. His keen eyes stared unblinkingly at me.

The handsome lord took a step toward me and a few whispered words passed his lips. “Who are you?”

Confusion and panic muddled my brain for a moment before I realized why he asked that. He didn’t recognize me. No wonder. The ethereal glow around my body had almost fooled me into thinking I was someone else.

I opened my mouth to tell him the truth but I quickly shut my lips. What could I tell him? That I was that strange mortal from a different world and I’d been living in his house as his pet for the past few days, but the moon had temporarily changed me back into my human form? No, that wouldn’t do. I couldn’t fathom how much trouble I’d be in if my sins were found out.

So I did the only sensible thing: I ran.

I dashed to the side toward the large grove of trees. Dadan moved with all the speed such a god of his stature possessed and swept into my path, blocking my escape route. I backed up as he stepped toward me.

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“Who are you?” he repeated and this time I didn’t miss the persistence in his voice.

I pursed my lips as I backed up toward the pool but I misjudged the distance. One of the heels of my feet slipped off the edge. My eyes widened as I flailed my arms. Dadan showed surprise as I fell backward and crashed into the pool. A terrific splash rose as I sank into the deep waters.

The pond was so deep that the light from the moon couldn’t reach me. I started kicking with my feet but soon found myself paddling with my paws. My unprepared lungs begged for air but I could see Dadan’s silhouette appear above me as he peered into the water. A quick look around revealed a good hiding spot, and I doggy-paddled hard to the other side of the pond where a mess of reeds cast their shadow over the water.

I came up among the thick reeds and gulped in some air. The plants pressed against me, hiding me from the prying eyes of the moon and Dadan as he searched the pond. I paddled deeper into the reeds as his sharp sight zeroed in on my hiding spot. He made to walk over to my side of the pond, but something stopped him.

“Dadan!”

Dadan stopped but continued staring at the pond as an evil imp hurried down the path. It was Shian in all her grace and beauty. She looked radiant in the moonlight as she approached the great lord and curtsied to him. The damn thief.

“I had no idea you ever opened the ward to anyone but yourself,” she mused as she slipped up to his side. “I am truly honored to be able to step foot in this wonderful place you have created.” Her beaming face soon turned to puzzlement as he continued to stare at the pond. “Is something the matter? Have you lost something in the pond?”

He didn’t answer immediately but there was a pensive expression on his face. When he spoke it was in a low, contemplative tone. “Perhaps I have.”

“Then might I help you recover it?” she offered.

He stared at the pool a while longer before he turned to her. “That won’t be necessary. Did you need something?”

She blushed and clasped her hands in front of her as she bowed her head. “I. . .I merely heard that you had gone this way and was wondering if you might like some company.”

“No, thank you,” came the bland reply as he strode past her toward the path. “I was just leaving.”

Her face showed pain and she spun around where she snatched his sleeve. He paused but didn’t turn to her. “Dadan, please tell me. Tell me if you care even a small amount for me.”

“We have known one another for a very long time,” was the bland response.

Tears glistened in Shian’s eyes as she shook her head. “That is not what I mean!” She slipped in front of him and pressed her arms against her chest. “Do you love me? Even a little?”

The corners of Dadan’s lips tightened. “I would not let anything harm you.”

She shrunk into herself and turned her face to one side. “That is not what I asked! That is not what I desire!”

“Then I cannot give you what you desire,” Dadan answered as he stared with indifference at the weeping woman. “I will protect you but I cannot love you.”

A sob escaped Shian. She turned and fled, exiting the area and allowing me to breathe a sigh of relief.

Dadan half-turned toward the pool with one arm bent arm pressed against his front. His bright eyes searched the area and I sunk lower into the water. He stared for a few moments before he turned and followed Shian out of the ward.

I breathed a fresh sigh of relief and climbed out of the pool. The rays of the moon shone down on me and I resumed my human form, albeit a little more damp than before. I looked down at my bedraggled self and wrinkled my nose. “Can this night get any. . .any-” A violent sneeze escaped me. I rubbed the bottom of my nose with one finger and sighed. “Worse.”

What a night.