Page 169 of The Knucker King

He smiled softly down at the gift in his hand. “I like the idea, little witch. However, when I grow, will it not break?”

She shook her head. “I asked the vine the shells are threaded on if they could grow and shrink with your size. It is the first time I have done such a thing, but I think it will work.”

A line appeared between his brows. “You can do that?”

“I think so,” she replied. Avice put her plate to the side, took the charm from him, and stood. “May I?” she asked, gesturing to his horn.

He beamed up at her. “Please.”

Ashling flitted off Trewoofe’s horn as she fiddled at the base of it. Her Knucker emitted a low purr as her fingers brushed against his hair and scalp. Avice knew he was very sensitive around his throat, horns bases, and scalp… She would put that knowledge to good use later.

Avice leant back to admire her handiwork. The pink and purple shells complemented his silver hair, and she knew they would match the arousal colours he would show later.

“Handsome,” she commented, running her fingertips along his scalp. “Perfect.”

Trewoofe let out a deeper purr. Avice took her hand away before he got too excited. She cleared her throat, took her seat again, and collected her plate. She polished off her food and silenced her growling stomach.

Her Knucker wolfed down his serving before running his eyes over her greedily. “Little witch, shall we—”

“My Lady?” a Wulver interrupted.

Avice met her blue eyes. She was a pretty Good Neighbour: stocky and plump, with a warm demeanour. In her forepaws, she carried something large and rectangular, wrapped in aging leather.

“Please, call me Avice,” she insisted, unable to tear her eyes from what the Wulver held.

The Wulver dipped her head in agreement, before sliding her gaze to Trewoofe. “The Well King mentioned you may have interest in seeing our books?”

Avice’s heart skipped a beat. “I would love to!”

She handed over the book. “I have been teaching the younglings. If you would like to learn to read and write, you are welcome to join in on their lessons.”

She nodded and ran her hand over the leather wrapping. For Avice, this was a divine moment. Where she could access something long denied to her, kept from her because of who and what she was. With a lump in her throat, she unwound the casing and fixed her gaze on the pale animal hide within. Tiny, intricate marks were etched onto the skin. Avice gently turned the first page, drinking it all in.

Trewoofe nudged her. “Avice?”

“…hmmm?”

“Elfa offered to teach you with the younglings,” he said.

She tore her eyes away from the page.

Avice realised there were children peeking out from behind the Wulver’s legs.

She looked from the young to Elfa and Trewoofe. “Are they the children we saved? How are they so big?”

The Knucker shrugged. “A combination of changing magic, and the way time moves differently in the Underneath.” He dipped his head at them. “Hope, Boarden, and some Piskilings.” He grinned at the students, five in total. “It looks like the Prince Consort of the Piskies made good on his promise that he would bring playmates for Boarden.”

Elfa wagged her tail. “He has brought them often for playing and lessons. The Piskies do not have writing like we do, but he is keen for their offspring to learn.”

Avice could not speak.

Boarden was up to Elfa’s hip and had fur peeking out his tunic and breeches. He had a black wet nose, fluffy pointed ears, and small fangs poking his lower lip. Hope took a step towards Trewoofe and wiggled her clawed fingers at him. He grinned and waved back. The little girl was ethereal. Her skin had taken on a light blue sheen, and her eyes were silver fractals. She wore a lambskin dress and walked on bare, clawed feet. Avice eyed the Piskilings next. All three were nearly identical, and wore lambskin wraps around their waists. Their fingers were long and twiglike, and a pair of dragonfly wings flicked curiously at their backs.

Avice finally found her voice. “Would that be alright?” she asked. “If I came to learn reading and writing with you?”

The younglings looked at each other before Hope answered, her voice small and bell-like. “Of course, my Lady.”

“Thank you,” Avice said, unable to tear her eyes from the sweet younglings in front of her.