AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Please, don’t fret. I’m not here as a queen. I’m here to help your farm at King Dan’s request.”
Straightening, she asked, “What’s it like going from average citizen to queen? It can’t be easy.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “No, it definitely hasn’t been easy. I’m lucky enough to have a great support system.”
“I saw that video of you teleporting that man with the bomb away. It was truly impressive. Just how powerful are you?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure. I don’t really try to measure it. My goal is to become strong enough, know enough spells, and learn enough to keep me and my people safe. That’s all that matters to me, keeping everyone I care about safe.”
She hopped up onto the fence next to me while nodding. “That’s pretty much all of our goal. At least the majority of the people I know. I saw that same drive in Prince Caleb, excuse me, King Caleb, when he was growing up. I’ve been working on this farm for twenty years and I’ve watched him during that time. I have definitely noticed an improvement to him and his attitude since you’ve come around. He was always a good person, played with the kids, visited and treated all of us as equals, but there was an avoidance, a bubble around him that seemed like it was impenetrable. Women tried to approach him and while he was never rude, you could tell he wasn’t interested, but he also looked lonely. Now, I can see that you’ve filled whatever void he felt. I was beginning to worry since he was in his late twenties, but it seems fate was just making you all wait a bit longer than others.”
“While I wish I could have met them all sooner, I do think it was for the best. There were many things we needed to experience to be ready for each other,” I said softly.
She smiled and looked towards the city. “That’s how I feel about my mate. He was so neglected as a child and I wish I could have found him sooner, to help erase some of that, but we cannot change the past, no matter how hard we wish. The only thing we can do, is make sure they have the brightest future possible.”
“What’s your name?” I asked.
She held out her hand. “I’m Tanika.”
I shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Tanika.”
“Ember!” Winnie yelled. “She’s my new best friend! Can you believe it?”
“That’s great, Winnie!” I yelled back.
Tanika arched a brow. “The pig said that the calf is her new best friend.”
Tanika’s eyes widened and she looked back at them. “Really? Well, that’s good to know. Maybe I can keep them together in the barn until the calf bulks up a bit. What do you think?”
“I’ll ask,” I said. “Winnie! Do you want to share your stall in the barn with your new best friend?”
“Yes!” they both shouted.
Chuckling, I said, “They both unanimously agreed to that suggestion.”
“That is truly the coolest thing. You could probably make a ton of money with the best animal show.” She paused and said, “Though, I suppose you aren’t really hurting for money.”
“If I had more free time, that would be something I considered,” I said. “Oh, before I forget, the older pig that’s not eating has a rotted tooth that needs removed.”
She gasped and snapped her fingers. “So, that’s what the decay smell was! I knew he didn’t smell like he was dying, but could still smell that decay scent. I’ll get them to remove the bad tooth tomorrow.”
Branson walked across the yard and I raised my hand, waving at him. He raised it back, but instead of coming to see me, he knelt at the fence to greet Winnie, who squealed happily to see him after so long.
“I always wanted to be a bear,” Tanika commented. “I knew it wasn’t possible, since my parents are werewolves, but I’ve seen his animal form a few times and it always makes me jealous.”
I eyed the muscular woman and said, “You would have made an excellent bear.”
“Right!” she exclaimed and shook her head. “If only I’d been a hybrid, it might have been possible.”
Someone wishing to be a hybrid … I never thought I’d see the day.
“Hello, beautiful,” Branson greeted.
“That’s no way to speak to a woman when your mate is right here,” Tanika teased.
“Branson, this is Tanika. Tanika this is Branson,” I introduced.
They shook hands and he leaned against the fence beside me. “I see the calf is doing better.”
