Daniel sat back with a smile, hand rising to take hers.
“Are you lost from your fairytale, my queen?”
Clara’s fingertips pressed against his, her wings doing a little dance as they folded into each other. She seemed incorporeal to everything but him.
“Time stands still when you are here, my king.”
Julia leaned to the side, the puppy wiggling free.
“Daniel? Who are you talking to? Whoa! Floppy. Come back…”
“Just my wife, coming to pay me a visit.” He laughed as the hound Julia named Floppy sat in front of Clara with a proud tilt to his head. “I think he’s looking for praise.”
Clara leaned forward to stroke him, ghostly fingers sliding over his head.
“It seems you are not the only one who can love me with this temporary freedom. You did wonderful. You are the victor of the Battle of the Frog. Oh? Maybe later we can play. Go, distract the doubters.”
“Yip. Yip.”
The others in the large wagon looked at him as if he were crazy.
Julia’s cheeks were scarlet while watching him, and Marg was snickering, whispering things into her ear. The men averted their gaze, excluding Ralph.
His wife observed them with a sad sigh.
“They’ll think you’re insane, darling.”
“Then let them think I’m insane. Come here, so I can spoil you…”
“Daniel!”
He pulled her down, legs parting so the floating ghost angel could settle her head against his chest.
“Here lies my sanity,” Clara whispered, silver hair tickling his chin. “I just want to rest here for five minutes… To feel your arms around me.”
Her wings folded forward in a little cocoon, and his hands slid between them to rest over her belly. She did a shiver as he leaned in to kiss her neck.
“You spoiled little angel… Close your eyes. I’m here.”
His angel’s words were sleepy in the bumpy wagon ride.
“I was lost. Do you know that, love? All I am and even more, I will give to you. You color me from my skin to my bones. You’re mine. You’re mine…”
He kissed the back of her head.
“I’m yours, Clara. Now and always… You’re perfect.”
Daniel had so many questions for her. One look at her shortened gown silenced them. He couldn’t take this from her. She’d done the same for him over the last four days. Four in this world, at least.
His wife’s form settled against him. Her muscles relaxed as he held her, her wings softer than clouds. They rested that way for three minutes before her eyes cracked open, and she leaned her head to the side to whisper to him.
“That is more than enough. I have a time hack. For myself, that is. And only if I’m meditating. I know, it isn’t fair. But I’ve had my fill, my heart. As for the cards. Yes. I am having trouble. The materials you gave me aren’t working. It is probably a skill gap on my part.”
He held her tighter, saying the first thing that came to his mind.
“We’re a team. If one fails. We both fail. What if it is because the materials aren’t connected to us? These cards are made with a part of yourself, so to speak. Make a gown with it. Wear it next time. Maybe we can dance.”
His wife began to twinkle as her wings unfurled and she floated up, wide-eyed, tears coming on.
“Oh, you beautiful man! Of course. We are one; we are all… I love you.”
“Forever and always.”
She was taken by a blinding light, leaving him staring at empty space. The wagon rocked. Rain went along the canvas above them in long pulls. And Daniel leaned his head against the wall, thinking as the others talked.
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I’m gradually learning the rules to my new life.
His hand passed over the hard leather pouch housing the case.
Nich’s dull voice broke into the low chatter.
“Are we sure he’s not possessed? We did find him in an undead dungeon core.”
Alys chuckled.
“Not that I can see. I’m starting to think she might be real with how Floppy reacted. Wouldn’t you say, Julia?”
“Hmm? Sorry. I was too distracted by floppy ears! Belly scratch. Asper, get some jerky for him. He’s such a good boy.”
Alys would not be swayed, though. She was totally focused on him.
“What is Clara like, Daniel?”
He turned his head their way.
“Perfect. Is there another word to describe a woman you wish to spend eternity with?”
“How holy,” she mumbled, looking to the side at her husband with a blush. “Four years of marriage feels like a dream. Ralph has been perfect. There are always struggles in marriage, but it is smoothing those edges that polishes a perfect stone.”
Marg snorted.
“Did you get that from your holy book? Blah. But I think we’ve found a bard for the group with this one. Does he sing? Sing us a song, pretty man!”
“Maybe tonight. It may be a good experiment,” he considered. “I haven’t tried singing yet. Maybe you can teach me new songs I can sing to Clara.”
Marg’s smile drew the color of a devil.
“Oh, I can teach you all sorts of songs she’ll tremble at.”
“Marg,” Alys scolded. “Don’t corrupt his mind with your drivel. I still must seek mental purification some weeks with that unholy tongue of yours.”
“Whatever you say, Ms. Cleric,” the chestnut-haired woman grunted, rolling her eyes toward Ralph. “Your wife is such a Molly-Confessional.”
The man immediately looked away, tongue-tied as Alys mirrored the woman’s huff.
“Love is a treasure to be nurtured. To stray in one’s thoughts is to betray the commitment meant to unify you with your partner in mind and soul. You should spend more time with me at the temple.”
“Pass.”
Daniel let the bickering women fade into the background. It appeared to get to the men after a bit since Edmund stopped the wagon to set up camp early. Daniel managed to get a good few hours training with Edmund and Asper as Alys and Julia prepared dinner.
The rain had stopped, but the grass was still wet and the soil moist. Each strike and lesson felt imprinted on Daniel’s bones. It was as if he were remembering how to fight rather than learning anew. It did help to clear his mind.
Since leaving the city, what he’d first thought of as a well-oiled adventuring machine turned out to be flawed humans, trying to deal with each other’s personalities. It was an excellent opportunity to grow. There was a weird heaviness to his steps he concluded was due to his lack of wings. But that was something to adapt to.
Floppy vanishing was a blow to Julia. She really liked animals. Before dinner, she showed him her bow and let him practice a little with her. It was hard for the girl to concentrate, and she missed half her shots. He felt bad for her as she tried her best to hide her red face.
I seem to be a problem… A human with a crush on me.
What would Clara have me do?
He was at a loss for the first time. She was probably watching him squirm and snickering like a witch, munching on the dried fruit he sent her.
They ate dinner with some jeering for him to sing, and when he did, they said he sounded like an angel. To be fair, he was. He didn’t know what that exactly had to do with singing, but accepted that he had a good voice.
Marg kept trying to get him to say rather lewd things, Alys countered.
There was a real divide between the pair Daniel was sensing.
Asper gave him his spare bedroll to use as they took turns on watch.
It was a quiet night, with the distant sounds of beasts and the night creeping in. Daniel found the cool mists that floated in soothing, though.
In the morning, he smiled as he held up the reset cards.
[Tarnished Sword] and [Clara’s Heart], no changes. When my wife decides to show up and spook me will be fun. She’s such a deviant.
His eyes drifted to the next three cards.
[Server] lost its male counterpart. Was I that bad, Butler?
Maybe you just want to give Maid a shot.
That or the darkness he mentioned got to him.
He let that sit for a moment, rubbing his jaw.
I’ll have to ask the maid about it.
And a new [Trap]...
[⌖ Trap #11: Frost Snare &]
[Triggers on intent to harm: Frost Snare fires a frozen bolt that, if it connects, chains the target to nearby surfaces and causes Frostbite.]
It has an effect, too. Was that the upgrade?
“Nice.”
He swapped to the last card with a curious tilt to his head. The others were already starting to stir around him. Soon, they’d make breakfast and be on the road again. He sort of liked this lifestyle. Plus, he got to call his wife each day.
Daniel paused as something new poked him between his eyes.
I didn’t go to her room?
He extracted the case and looked at it. The flakes of gold were still spreading through the lines. Once done, he lay down with a frown.
That’s rather upsetting… I suppose there’s a reason for it.
I’ll ask Clara when she decides to flick my nose.
Payback.
Daniel held up the last card with a creased eye.
[◈ Pet #14: Gray Kite &]
[Gray Kite is a scouting bird. The user can link one eye; sound is not transferred. 3-hour cooldown.]
A bird. I suppose I’ll be able to touch the skies again today.
He willed them back into his case, and Daniel pushed himself up to get ready for his fifth day.