“Well, on that note, why don’t we all go have lunch now?” Winna said, clapping her hands and smiling at everyone. “Dern, we’re going to have tea in the teashop, would you like to join us? It’s my treat!”

“No, thank you for the offer! I have some other work I should get to today.”

“Oh, I hope we didn’t set you too far back.”

“Not at all, Winna, not at all! I was only too happy to help.” Dern bowed.

“Thank you, Dern.” I bowed as best I could to Dern from where I sat in the back of the cart. “And Silver! The hero of the day!”

“You hear that, Silver? You’re a hero!” The dwarf reached down to pat his dragon friend on the head again. Truly, the little silver dragon was getting his fair share of attention, but it was much-deserved, even if he didn’t really understand what he’d done.

Rowan walked over to Dern and bent and shook hands. “Thank you. I’m glad to meet a good dwarf. I’ve known other dwarves, all good and kind like you, but Bellows is…a piece of work.”

“I pray a swift justice comes down on the head of the one who made you wary to meet any one of my kin.” Dern’s voice was grim. But he smiled, “And I’m glad to have met you. Both of you.” he bowed at us both.

“Need help getting into the cart, Winna?” Arden asked.

“Yeah, probably!” She laughed a little, and the white-haired fey man helped her clamber into the cart. “We’ll be off now, Dern! Thanks again!”

“You’re most welcome! Please come back any time!” Dern waved as Winna brought the cart around, and got it back on the road.

“We’re free!” I giggled, leaning into Rowan.

He hugged me again, squeezing me tightly, “Free!”

“Happiness is a good look for you two.” Arden smiled at us.

“I’m sure it is!” my surrogate centaur father laughed.

The trip to the tea shop was a very short one, and Winna was soon parking on the green grass in the village’s large, open square.

The handsome soldier came and let down the tailgate again. Rowan clambered out as I swung my tail over the edge, then reached out to put my arms around Arden’s neck.

“So…” I told him, brushing my fins lazily across the grass, as I batted my eyelashes at him, half-jokingly, “that metal band is off.”

“It is.” he nodded, the flush starting to creep up his face because he knew where I was going with it.

I leaned forward so I could whisper in his ear, making sure that my best feature, or rather features, pressed firmly against him. “I think you owe me at least a kiss.”

Winna and Rowan were very pointedly not watching, but also trying not to burst into giggles at the same time. They were both very red in the face as they attempted to hold it in, for Arden’s sake, cause I knew good and well how outrageous I was being.

Though he was flushed, he managed not to lapse into incoherent mutters this time, and murmured, “I understand the desire, but I think…we should wait until we’re in a more…intimate setting, if you want more than just one.”

The low note of his voice sent a shiver up my spine, and I felt my own face heat. Not displeased to find the roles somewhat reversed between us, for once, I giggled and buried my face into my shoulder. “Alright, you win…” I trailed my fingers up his neck, “But shit, boy, you fine!”

Arden burst into laughter, alongside Rowan and Winna. He pulled my mouth to his for a moment, and I wiggled my fins in delight at finally getting to kiss him.

“No, I can’t win. You’re always going to get what you want from me, I’m afraid.” he sighed as he broke away after far too short a time, gold eyes twinkling.

“Oh, don’t tell me that. It’ll go to my head.” I giggled.

“You’re more sensible than you give yourself credit for. It’ll be fine.” Arden snorted, finally scooping me up from the cart.

I leaned my head against him as we made our way towards the tea shop.

Heads all around us turned.

Winna seemed unbothered, continuing on like nothing was unusual. Given how Arden had described the mage’s husband, she was probably used to being stared at though. I was too, so it didn’t bother me as much as it maybe would have otherwise. Only this time, when people stared, they were staring at a free mermaid and centaur.

None of the stares were rude, though, and no one wolf-whistled or cat-called. I saw gasps of delight and smiles. They were good reactions. This town was pretty used to fey folk, and though they’d not likely seen merfolk or centaurs, we were viewed as welcome guests, rather than animals in a cage to be stared at. Although I had a feeling that most visitors who went to the circus never realized that the fey folk in the circus were captives, and not paid employees. The visitors, of course, were human, and therefore had no idea what the metal bands we wore did or signified.

Winna went inside and held the door for us.

As we entered, I gasped in delight.

The inside of the tea room was all light pink and fluff, and was unlike anywhere I’d ever seen before. “It’s so cute!” I giggled, hugging Arden in delight.

“Yeah, I guess it is.” he snorted, amused.

“Oh! Oh my goodness!” A plump woman in a pink apron bustled up, studying us nervously. She had dark, somewhat flyway hair streaked with grey, and was just a little shorter than Winna.

“I’m sorry if we’ve startled you, Moira.” Winna smiled, “But we’re in need of a celebratory luncheon tea.” the mage swept her gaze around the room, “I think our centaur friend, Rowan here, won’t fit well between the tables inside. Can we move one outside?”

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Relief flooded Moira’s face. “Yes! That’d be fine! It’s a nice day for it, too! We can put it right under the awning. I was a little worried he’d trip and fall on the tables or chairs. I imagine moving around inside can’t always be easy for you, sir. If you don’t mind me saying.” she flushed a little.

“No, you’re absolutely right.” Rowan smiled, “I appreciate your concern.”

Moira smiled, “Well, let me get that table and some chairs outside for you.”

“I won’t need a chair, I’ll be able to sit and still be even with the table.” Rowan said.

“Alright.” Moira nodded.

“I’ll move the table. They’re heavy, Moira.” Arden said. “Can I put you down?”

“Sure!” I nodded.

He put me in one of the delicate-looking chairs, and for a moment I panicked that I’d be too heavy for it, but it held my weight without complaint, thankfully.

“I’ll help too.” Rowan said, picking up a couple of chairs easily.

Soon we were all settled down at the table, perusing the cute pink menus.

“I just realized that I don’t know what any of this is.” I said, frowning, my face heating in embarrassment.

“Well, that’s hardly your fault.” Arden replied, shrugging, “I doubt you’ve had a chance to have most of it.”

“For real.” I muttered, “I…don’t think I’ve ever even had tea, if I’m being honest.”

“I’m sorry.” Winna murmured sadly. “I love tea, so that makes me sad. We’ll order a few pots so you can try some different kinds!”

“Okay.” I nodded, “Thank you!”

Arden reached out and squeezed my hand, “Don’t be embarrassed. You never had a chance to try it. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

“Absolutely nothing.” Rowan nodded firmly.

“They’re right.” Winna agreed.

Soon, Moira came out and took our orders. Winna ordered what seemed like a crazy amount of food and tea, but then I remembered we were celebrating, and that meant lots of food and drink!

“Moira must be a little short-handed today.” Winna observed, “She’s the owner of the teashop, but she’ll wait and serve whenever they’re short-handed. I imagine it’s because Bekka has the day off.”

“Bekka was your friend from earlier, right?”

“Yes! We went to school together.” Winna nodded, then snapped her fingers. “Oh, I just remembered, I got some shirts for you and Rowan. I thought it might be nice for you two to have some that weren’t just second-hand from me and Lear, not that you’re not welcome to whatever you need, and not that there’s anything wrong with second-hand things, but this way…well, they’re yours, you know?” The shirts Rowan and I currently wore were borrowed from Winna and Lear’s closet. The mage had been only too happy to let us use them.

“Oh, thank you! That’s very kind of you, Winna! You didn't have to do that.” Rowan beamed at her.

“I wanted to!” she shrugged, then started to stand, saying, “Let me go get them from the cart.”

But Arden stopped her by putting a gentle hand on her shoulder and pushing her back down. “I’ll do it. You stay here and rest. You’ve had a busy day already. Where are they?”

“In the top of the basket in the cart.”

“Alright.” Arden was gone in the blink of an eye, then back in another, carrying a paper bag. “There you are.”

“Thank you, dear.” Winna smiled cheerfully at him, then took out two tissue-wrapped parcels and handed one to me and one to Rowan.

I unwrapped the tissue, which was filmy and thin and so fun to touch. I could have played all day with the translucent, flimsy stuff, but my eyes caught on the clothes and I couldn't keep from smiling.

“These are lovely, Winna!” I held up the shirts one by one, tears coming to my eyes. “They’re so pretty!”

“I’m glad you like them, honey!” Winna beamed at me, rubbing her tummy absentmindedly.

“They’re very nice.” Rowan agreed, “Thank you!”

“You’re welcome. Our local seamstress does a very good job.”

“I can’t wait to get back to the cottage and put one on!” I sighed happily. My own shirts! Not just one snagged randomly from the lost and found box, or provided because I had to have something to wear, these were given as a gift, picked out with care and kindness.

“I can’t wait to see you wear them! I bet they’ll be so cute!” Winna giggled.

“Me too!” I grinned at her.

We chatted and laughed together for a while longer. Then Moira was bringing out trays laden with food and drink, and carefully arranging everything on the table so that it would all actually fit.

As the tea shop owner retreated back inside, I stared at the feast before us, awestruck.

There were little teacakes in several colors, brightly colored round cookies sandwiched around different fillings, cute little sandwiches in the shapes of hearts, adorable little ceramic pots of chocolate mousse, and scones! So, so many scones! There was also jam, clotted cream, butter, honey, and anything else we might want to go along with all the delectable food.

The tea set was white with a delicate pink floral pattern scrolling across it. I reached out and carefully traced the pretty flowers that danced across the warm tea pot. It was all just so beautiful, and I was going to get to actually eat the food and drink from the lovely little cups!

“Here, I’ll pour.” Arden leaned over and poured some of the fragrant beverage into one of the gorgeous little cups, and set it in front of me, then proceeded to do the same for everyone else.

“Oh, it smells so good!” I inhaled deeply.

“It’s a little hot, so be careful and just sip it so you don’t burn your tongue. Try it first without anything, and then with sugar, and then with cream and sugar.” Winna advised. She’d be a good mom, I could tell. She had the motherly instincts down pat already.

“Okay!” I did as she said, and found I preferred it with just sugar, though the cream didn’t make it bad or anything, I just liked it better without.

Winna took hers with cream and sugar, as did Arden, indeed Arden seemed to prefer his tea painfully sweet, but Rowan drank his without any additions.

After I’d figured out how I liked my tea, I started to try the food.

“It’s all so good!” I sighed.

“Do you have a favorite?” Arden smiled at me.

“I couldn't possibly pick one, no!” I munched on a roast beef and pickled onion sandwich. “It’s the best food I’ve ever eaten! And so fancy! The shop itself is so fancy, too, though, it doesn't surprise me!” I paused, then frowned, “Not that I’m a particularly good judge of what fancy is…it’s not like I’ve really been anywhere fancy before.”

Winna laughed, “I think it’s fancy here! Lear used to literally live at the fey palace, so he’s used to fancy fancy, but he said that if I think this is fancy, then it’s fancy! So, if you think it’s fancy, then yes, it is! Just enjoy yourself!”

I smiled, “Your husband seems nice.”

“He is. But I’m biased, of course.” the mage giggled.

“Of course he’s nice in Winna’s eyes!” Arden snorted, “She doesn’t have to endure his training regimens and take orders from him!” The twinkle in his golden eyes told me he was joking.

“I’d like to see him try to order me around.” she arched an amused eyebrow.

“That wouldn't end well for him, would it?” Arden snickered.

“Nope.” Winna grinned, “But he’s a good husband. Usually very attentive. And he spoils me. I’m happy to do what he asks, for the most part. Sometimes his requests are a little ridiculous, but” she shrugged, “I love that idiot.”

“And he’s practically obsessed with you.” Arden chuckled, “I think he always will be.”

“Yeah.” she smiled fondly, “We’re a good match. I fell in love with him very quickly.” Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she glanced between me and Arden, “Although I think you two have us beat!”

“Oh well.” I shrugged.

Arden, on the other hand, turned pink and muttered, “I know I’m only half, but it’s different for fey folk though, isn’t it?”

“Well, clearly!” the pregnant mage laughed, “And that’s okay!