He handed the broken part of what is I'm pretty sure literal bone to the physician, I should taste it to make sure-STOP YOU WEIRDO!!

“Here, hurry along, Jules.” The physician glared at him in a strange mix of annoyance and aspiration before stepping out of the room. I saw him teeter and reached to ease him onto the bed, shocked at the fact he was still eye level with me. I reached up to touch the broken bit when he gripped my hands.

“Apologies, but only my consort is allowed to touch them.” Oh gods, I was going to offend someone who could probably kill me with a snap of their fingers.

“I don’t mean to offend them.” He chuckled. “You can’t offend someone who doesn’t have that title.” I took a minute to actually look at him, studying his features, his eyebrows were a couple shades darker than his hair color and nicely groomed. Gretchen forces both Hans and I for weekly facials using pine sap, bee’s wax, and aloe vera that she gets from Alex to rid of unwanted hair and keep our skin soft. His proportions were quite even and I wished I had my graphite, a perk of being an elf of some kind.

His eyelashes were long-thick too, I’m reminded of the downy feathers of swans. He was focused on something on my neck, I felt the featherlight touch of his fingers rest just above my left collarbone, right where a couple of moles were. Were beauty marks rare to elves? I looked him over, seeing there were none, were there any on the physician? A sharp inhale at the sudden change in the sensitivity on my skin, unusual. Something in the air tickled my nose, a scent of spicy, and piney from him, was it cologne? It did bring a bit of nostalgic ease to me though.

“There is a legend among my kind.” The folklorist part of my brain began salivating at that word, Gretchen says that the village’s stories will be told in a few weeks at the festival and has been teasing me with stories and legends. “That while divine marks are signs from the gods. They are also places for lovers to touch, I had always wondered what it would feel like. To know just where touch to make them feel pleasure.” I had a few near-stop! Do not entertain that thought you idiot!

Was he flirting? Is this how people flirt? Focus woman, focus!

 My cheeks warmed at what he was saying before lightly pushing his chest, good grief is that what an actual muscular chest feels like? He scooted back and I had moved back enough to not smell him.

“We barely know each other.” I insisted. “Unfortunately.” He sighed. Why does he sound so sad?! I was reminded of a giant puppy with the look on his face. “My name is Rán.” I signed out for him. He pursued his lips, looking me over, I saw his tongue dart out when his eyes went low for a bit before they snapped back up to my face.

“I have a feeling that’s not your actual name but I will respect your decision to keep that from me.” He was intuitive, wonderful.

“You mouth your words you know." He stated, dang it, I was still doing that! "My name is Vervain, be mindful of using it.” He signed out the letters slowly but the fact he gave me his name so causally was strange. Names had power if I remembered correctly.

“Why not a nickname?” I asked. “That is my nickname, words have power when it comes to beings with immense power such as myself and nicknames are still dangerous.”

“Good thing I can’t speak.” I signed as a joke, feeling my joints crack. He gripped my hands, rubbing his thumbs over my knuckles. He looked angry, where was the physician? I thought, feeling a ittle awkward.

“Your, arms.” He said. I tilted my head before freezing, did he see the marks? He pulled a sleeve up a bit before I stopped him. Some nights, were worse than others. I felt the coarseness of fresh scabbong under my palm as I covered them even more.

"I am a Highkin, we can heal physical wounds if you like." I frowned, I had never heard of such a thing but there was a lot of things I never learned yet back home when it came to the Fae. But, why relatively nice looking man shaped being worried about my own problems all of a sudden? My curiosity must have shown ‘cause he then explained.

“The closest to a nature god the elves and other sects have.” He breathed deeply. “May I hug you? I feel that it's something we both need very much.” I stared into his face, baffled by him.

Odd.

My eyes flicked to the arrangement of pillows before nodding. It was strange, I never have been a hugger until having a roommate that needed the occasional hug after a stressful day and even then it was weird.

Hugging this giant elf was strange too, he had slotted his head into the area between my shoulder and neck, I could feel his breath radiating from his nostrils and barely put pressure on his shoulders before he backed up, arms resting around my hips.

“Apologies, you’re very soft and your presence is quite soothing.” I wondered if it was from me being a divine witch. “If I’m feeling overwhelmed, and you are nearby, do I have permission to hold you? In return if you feel the same way.” I gave a nod, it had felt nice. There was a knock before the physician came in, holding a necklace of which the bit of antler hung off.

“Here you are…” He trailed off. Vervain took it, looking at the piece before looking at my neck.

“May I?” I nodded and turned, brushing my hair to the side. I really wished I braided it when it got too hot earlier. The string suddenly tightened, the warmth of his breath distracting me and the weight of the horn piece settled against my collarbone.

“I appreciate this.” Remember, do not thank them.

“Keep it close to the mark, the closer it is, the easier for it to neutralize the spell-work.” I touched it carefully, wondering just what exactly it would do.

“Now, I would like you to eat something before you return home-” A loud knock disrupted the physician and he turned as Vervain headed for the door. I peeked and saw it was an elf dressed in pale golden green armor.

“My lord.” They bowed with a sheepish look on their face and I rubbed my nose to keep from laughing. “A raven and a cat have appeared…and refuse to leave.” They sound familiar and I waved my hand to get their attention, the armor was really good at disguising most anatomy. “I believe, I know who they are.” The physician opened the window and I peeked out, seeing Boyd prowling the gates, yowling as he evaded the guards. Several of which just tripped into a pile trying to get him off the fencing. I brought my fingers to my lips and managed out a decent whistle to call them. Edgar turned a sharp left overhead at the call, swooping in and landed on the railing, Boyd saw Edgar land before sniffing the air and hopped up into some branches before climbing onto the rooftop.

He chirped and squeaked as he gave aggressive headbutts and bites.

“A cat sith?” I turned towards Vervain. “What?” This was Boyd, my skittish yet lovable void. I insisted. I looked at him, seeing every speck of white fur on him. Yep, Boyd the star filled void who should be dead, I could just be in Hell for all I know.

“How?” Edgar hissed when he stepped closer. “And a…crow?” Something told me he was going to say something else, smart for him.

“Raven. They were the ones who found me.” Boyd nipped at my hand and Vervain growled. “The, cat, needs to learn not to bite.” I raised my eyebrow in confusion.

“Boyd, does that out of love, sides, he’s rarely drawn blood.” Boyd gave another nip in response and chirped. “How did you get a Fae beast so easily?” The physician, Jules asked. I found myself a little amused by the mistaken identity.

“He’s a normal cat, heck, he’s skittish more than anything.” Vervain translated. Boyd slipped inside the room, heading straight towards the fire place. Edgar croaked again, hopping onto my shoulder.

“So, I would like you to eat something before you leave, your lordship if I may?” Jules asked, Vervain nodded. They hurried off and the odd elf leaned against the bedframe, the post creaking softly from his weight. I sat back down, lifting the cup up again to take another sip. I could feel his eyes on me as Boyd headed towards the bed, jumping up and head butting my arm, even lightly tapping at my arm for head scratches.

“He’s surprisingly affectionate.” He stepped closer and Boyd backed up towards the pillows, squeaking and chirping, ears back and tail whipping.

“You’re really big.” I saw his lips twitch before a smile formed. “You’re not the first to say that to me, nor are you wrong.” I blinked slowly, trying to figure out what he meant and hoping it didn’t mean what it most likely meant. “You’re an innocent one, aren’t you?” It took a few seconds.

“Oh, you mean like a virgin?” He looked away as Boyd started kneading on my leg. I fiddled with my thumbs, I wasn’t and the reason was something I had struggled with until therapy. I let out a big exhale.Be straightforward.

“Are you flirting with me?” I signed. He looked shocked and stood up straighter, Crap, too straightforward! “I’m sorry if I’m offending you.” I shook my head rapidly. “No, no, you’re not being crass or anything. Except asking about my virginity status.” I saw his ear tips redden-cute!-he looked away. I waved my hand to get his attention, the speed his neck snapped towards me had me a bit worried for his spine but he seemed okay.

“I don’t even know how virginity works here anyway.” He glanced back, studying the flames. “It’s not really important.” He stated after a few flickering flames and the snaps of the wood in the fireplace filled the silence.

“May I sit beside you?” I patted the spot next to me, the bed shifted and I found our thighs touching. He was surprisingly warm and I looked at the still open window and stood, closing it. The sky was a beautiful blend of reds oranges and yellows. I could see a bright star in the south, Zlau if I remember Gretchen and Hans telling me. The first star of the evening. The skies back home were often clouded from light pollution but here, the skies glittered like shards of glass laying in a pool of ink.

Another reminder I wasn't home, my fists curled up together as I fought the bit of pain in my heart. No more friends, no family...Does Gretchen consider me a friend? Wait, Gretchen!

I paled at the thought. “I possibly have people looking for me.” The door opened, revealing the physician Jules with a tray of a bowl and some bread. “I had a guard sent out to inform them what happened.” Deus ex Machina. I mentally sighed. The tray was set down on the nightstand, Jules offered me a smile before heading out. I glanced back at Vervain. “Please eat.” I picked up a spoon and dunked it in the creamy looking broth.

It tasted of beef and some sort of herbal mix-I was reminded of Swedish meatballs from back home. The bread was soft with a nice crunchy exterior texture like that of a sourdough.

I should eat quickly though. I lowered the spoon and lifted the bowl, Boyd stepped closer and I shooed him away as I gulped down the broth.

“Most people try to eat broth with a spoon.” I choked and coughed when some went down my windpipe. “Sorry.” I signed. “I know they must be really worried about me so I want to hurry along.” A soft chuckle escaped him. “Then finish quickly and I will take you back.”