“It hasn’t done anything?” Dayander confirmed. He closed his eyes and hovered his hands over Mouse’s shoulders.

Mouse shook his head. “Not that I noticed.”

“Hmm… I do sense the aura of wild magic around you. Did she give you any hints? A delayed start, maybe?”

“Hallowed hour?” Mouse tried.

“That could mean anything. The fae have dozens of gods… most of them former, or even current, fae,” Dayander muttered to himself. He shook his head. “Be careful, and watch yourself today. If nothing happens by this time tomorrow, I’d suspect it’s a whiff, or nothing harmful, at least.”

Mouse nodded. “Thanks, Dayander.”

“That’s what I’m here for, after all. Advice, knowledge, and occasionally stopping you from doing something truly stupid,” Dayander chuckled.

“Eh, you’ve been missing that last one,” Mouse laughed.

Dayander shook his head. “I certainly would have suggested you stay far away from fae and wild magic.”

“I concur, believe it or not. Brittany ambushed me, I really had no choice,” Mouse replied with a shrug.

“You’re sure I can’t talk you out of the hot springs? Now that you’re… afflicted, with wild magic?”

Mouse shook his head. “It’s too important. I can’t let Sabelyn and Lilith run amuck. You know how nasty blight is, Dayander. If we let it loose a second time… I don’t want the humans to live under the same fear we moon elves have to. Someone should be safe from the blight, at least.”

A prim knock came from the door. “Mouse? Are you in?”

“Felix, wonderful. I was just saying to Dayander, he should be here any moment now,” Mouse said, rushing to the door.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Felix smiled. “I’m glad you’re still up and about. You know, I’m hoping the hot springs help with your blight. They are known to be effective on magical afflictions.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll hope so as well,” Mouse smiled.

Felix put his hands on Mouse’s shoulders. Mouse tensed, expecting pain. Felix hesitated. “I feel so guilty, doing this to you.”

“Don’t, Your…ah, Felix. Sometimes, healing hurts. I appreciate you keeping the blight at bay.”

Felix nodded. He closed his eyes, and light started to accumulate around him.

Heat rushed through Mouse’s chest. It coiled inside, a little different than usual, and burned at his lungs and stomach. He frowned, brows twitching. Is the blight weakening?

His chest ached. It hurt in a way he’d never felt before, an odd, almost itchy sensation, not overly painful, but not painless, either. The tickly feeling crawled over his skin, searching out every corner of his body. He twisted under Felix’s hands, barely resisting the urge to break out laughing. “Wait, Felix, wait.”

“Huh?” Felix lowered his hands.

Across the room, Dayander broke into giggles. Cel leaned against the wall, shuddering, a smile on her face.

Mouse frowned, then almost immediately lost it and had to fight to hide a smile as the tickling got more intense. What’s going on? What’s happening to us?

“Mouse? Are you alright?” Felix asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.

The sensation passed. Mouse waved a hand. “I’m fi…”

He stared at his hand. Was it always this small? This delicate? His chest felt tight, and he glanced down to find the fabric tight, almost to bursting. His brows furrowed. Huh? Did I put on too much padding today? I don’t remember that.

“Mouse?” a low, unfamiliar voice asked.

Mouse stared up, startled, and found Cel staring at her own hands, now broader, fingers thicker. Her arms bulged against her shirt, threatening to break through, but the fabric hung loose around her chest.

“Oh dear. Oh my,” a high-pitched voice replied. Dayander pushed his hair over his shoulder and looked up at them, softer-faced, his robes bulging slightly over his pecs. “Er… did we all swap… that is to say, I seem to be a woman now.”

Felix jumped and turned to Mouse. “You…”

“I—I seem to be fine!” Mouse said quickly, feigning surprise. Subtly, he shifted one leg against the other, and felt nothing. His stomach dropped, but he forced himself not to react. Where’d it go? It’s gone!

“I as well,” Felix said, looking down at himself. He furrowed his brows at Mouse. “Is this some kind of…er, quirk, of moon elf biology?”

“Not at all, Your Highness, and I’ve lived a good few centuries to be sure of it,” Dayander replied.

“Holy goddess, this is awesome! Hey Mouse, I’m going to take some leave now, okay? I’ve got… things to try out,” Cel said, giving him a thumbs up and a wink.

Mouse scowled at her. Him? What do I call her and Dayander now? “Leave request denied.”

Cel scowled. “Rude.”