Feral Magic by Robin D. Owens

disappointment, reminded himself of his duty, then easily found gratitude – and more – for Brandy.  As she staggered the few paces to him, he changed back to man, opened his arms.  She came to him and held him close and tight.
    He held her and at her scent – her special fragrance, that of woman and tech and honey – he steadied.
    "You could have gone through," Brandy said, her voice muffled against his chest.  He liked feeling the vibration of her words.  "I know that.  Why didn't you?"
    "Bretine is here.  I couldn't leave you in danger."
    She leaned back and he found his hand in her hair – hair only a shade darker than Bretine's tresses.
    "You think she'll come after us?"
    "Yes.  After me because she hates me and my klatch.  After you because you bested her twice and forced her body to revolt."
    "Oops."  But Brandy's smile was sickly.  She scanned his face, rubbed his chest.  "You're hurting.  Homesick?"
    "Yes," he admitted between his teeth.
    "I'm so sorry," she whispered, then lifted her chin and said strongly, "We'll get you back home."
    "Eventually," he said.  "I've vowed to stop Bretine."
    Brandy stared at the place where the portal had been.  "She's a beautiful woman.  Naked and hurt.  She’ll find help."
    "But she’s mean," Dak added.
    Squinting, Brandy said, "I saw the Eiffel Tower when the portal was open.  I think Bretine will do very well in Paris."

Chapter Twelve
     
     
    "Paris?" asked Dak.
    "A very sophisticated city many miles across the continent and an ocean from here."
    He grunted.  Brandy didn't mind.  She knew he hurt over giving up his nephew and sending him home while Dak remained here, trapped in an alien world.
    "Come on," she said.  "Let's get out of here."  She examined her car.  It didn't seem too damaged by the futile attack on the white tiger.  "Looks drivable to me."
    While he dressed and stowed his stuff in his invisible cache, she maneuvered the car back onto the road.  Thank God for new tires.  Then she got out and led Dak to the car, pulled the seatbelt across him, although she imagined that even in man form he was tougher than most humans.  Stronger.
    And, for the moment, hers.  She would help him, but didn't think either of them would allow him to become dependent on her...for more than sex, or loving.  A partner.  Maybe.  For a while.
    "We'll work on getting you acclimated here."  She calculated the amount of money it would take for two tickets to Paris.  A lot.  But Dak had gold.  They'd have to be careful about selling that, though.  And she didn't speak French and didn't have a handy translator spell.  She didn't even know if he wanted to go hunting Bretine.
    Yet, all in all, she felt buoyant.
    One glance at Dak's impassive face showed he masked hurt.
    "You can stay with me," she said quietly.  Clearly he wasn't ready to make definite plans – or to integrate with human society.  She didn’t think he’d want to learn to live like a human Denverite.  Instead he’d be focused on whatever he believed he had to do.
    Now he remained silent.  Once in the town they'd passed earlier, Idaho Springs, she made an executive decision and drove up to a lovely bed and breakfast.  Her cats would be fine for a day or two.
    She left Dak in the car while she checked in, then opened the car door and took his hand.
    "I hope you have that handy backpack in that personal aura storage space of yours."  She slanted him a wicked glance.  "Though you won't need pajamas."
    Blinking, he pulled away from his deep thoughts.  "What are we doing?"
    "Staying here for the day...and the night."  Denver wasn't very far in mileage, but a far ways in altitude…and attitude.
    His eyes widened and slight smile curved his lips.  His fingers laced with hers.  He scanned the area.  "An inn?"
    "Yes."
    "The room has a bed?"  His voice had deepened.
    "Pretty much all it has.  We have a place by the stream.  It sounds great."  She smiled up at him.  "Though the bed