Page 30 of Mytho Investigations: Side Stories

“We tell some people. With my name, you can undo any spell I create.”

This was Vlash’s way of giving him magic, even if it was only the magic of undoing. It meant Vlash could never bind him or compel him to do anything, as all he needed to do was whisper his true name.

Vlash smiled. “Now you understand the weight of my magic and the power of words.”

He did, and he wasn’t sure he liked it much. “Thank you for sharing.”

“If you tell anyone, I will have the king deal with you. I hear the griffins are always hungry.”

“I won’t⁠—"

“I mean it. You cannot tell anyone. Because in the wrong hands, it can do far more than unravel my words.”

It must have cost Vlash greatly to give him his true name so they could be on equal footing. Instead of demanding trust the way Bud had, Vlash had opened himself up. “I swear not to tell anyone.”

“I can’t hold you to that, so I will have to trust that you will not.”

“That’s generally what happens between humans. There is no magic in our vows.” He put his arms around Vlash. “So, are we agreeing to date?”

“I told you my true name. I would not have told you if I did not want to be with you.”

“So, do you want to stay in or go out and have a proper first date?”

Vlash kissed him. “It’s been a week. Let’s stay in. We can go out for breakfast and call that our first date.”

EPILOGUE

“Look at you all tanned and smiling. Did you have a good honeymoon?” Mason passed Jordan a beer and sat on his new sofa. He and Vlash had made sure it was comfortable for snuggling up last night. It was.

“I did. We did. It was nice to be away from everything. But I’m glad to be back, as it seems like I missed out on quite a lot being away for three weeks. Did you know Sean is building a house with Troy?”

“Yeah. He seems really happy.” And Mason was happy for him.

“You also seem happier. He said you might be seeing someone.” Jordan gave him a pointed look.

Mason needed to take the chance and tell Jordan. It wasn’t a secret. They’d gone out a few times now. “I am. It’s been going on since your wedding.”

“You picked up at my wedding? Sean said you did, but I didn’t believe him.”

“I did.” It sounded tawdry now, and he was sure his liver was not ready for mead, even though it had been two months. “And I’m still seeing him.”

“Does he have a name?”

Two, actually, but only one that he was going to tell Jordan. “Vlash.”

Jordan choked on his beer. “As in head archer, Vlash. Snarly blonde guy who likes cute T-shirts, but who’ll bite your hand off if you look at him the wrong way?”

“That’s him.” Mason nodded.

Jordan blinked and took a drink of his beer. “You’re still alive, so he must really like you.”

“And I really like him.” He wasn’t ready to call it love yet. He didn’t think either of them were. Those words had power and should be spoken wisely. But it felt like love. And when Vlash looked at him and smiled, he didn’t need to hear the words because he could see it in his eyes as well as in the curve of his lips.

“I can tell.”

“But you’re worried.” He could see the concern in Jordan’s eye.

“My only dealings with Vlash have been as a cop or as a knight, neither of which are good places to begin a friendship. He hasn’t used his word-binding magic, has he?”