“Zadok will smell it,” I argue-pleaded, trying again to swipe at him but getting a resolute glare for my efforts.

“Good.”

“Cair, no. Not good,” I said, but I gave up, dropping the rag as the soft crunch of footsteps on the sand outside approached. I wrangled my shirt over my head. My stomach was still wet, but I’d have to cope, and Cair finally—halle-fucking-lujah—started to get dressed. He was still sporting a very impressive erection, so how his skintight pants fit was beyond me.

I just hoped his long shirt would conceal the worst of it.

“Luca, are you⁠—”

I was manically smoothing out the creases in my clothes as Zadok rounded the stable door, stopping in his tracks at the sight of us. I straightened up with a nervous laugh, acting totally natural. “Hey, Dad-io.” I cringed. “What brings you out here?”

It was obvious to anyone with at least one of their senses what we’d been up to. Cair wasn’t even attempting to hide it. In fact, he preened, daring the older Fae to say something. There weren’t any mirrors out here, but I didn’t need one to know I was ruffled and flushed, my chest heaving a little, and my shirt may have been inside out. I glanced down, and yup, could confirm, definitely inside out. But hey, at least my pants were laced up. My father seeing my junk would have been even more mortifying.

The idea of being caught? Super hot. Actually being caught? Not so much.

Zadok’s eyes flicked between us, his own pointed ears blooming pink. He cleared his throat. “Well, I wanted to ask if you felt up to some magic lessons,” he said, and I didn’t know if seeing his embarrassment match mine made me feel marginally better or not. “I suppose if you’re healed enough to do... that, you are healed enough to learn.”

Cair looked like he wanted to smirk, but I truly wished the ground would swallow me whole. I spluttered indignantly, as if that would save the situation, and my mouth seemed to be forming words before I could stop it. “W-we didn’t even get to fu⁠—”

“I don’t want to know.” Zadok threw up his hands, turning on his heel to walk out. I groaned in humiliation. Lord, please let me hit my head and lose all recollection of this. Before he reached the paddock, he called out over his shoulder. “Meet me by the field on the hill when you’re presentable. And give the horses extra treats. They deserve it.”

I sagged against the sink, dragging a hand over my face. “Welp, now I can never look my dad in the eye again.”

Cair scoffed. “As if he has any room to talk. He and his lover are at it like rut-crazed goblins most evenings.”

“Scratch that, I’m just going to pass away. No resurrection this time, please.” I glowered at him. “Why the hell would you tell me that?”