Pixilated

by Jane Atchley

  "When do we leave son?"

  Kree rolled his eyes. "Don’t make me hurt you, Lathan."

  They joined the pixies gathered around Garen to watch the elf demonstrate his talent on a dormant rose bush. Garen plucked the newly made rose bud and handed it to Kayseri with that whole-body smile of his. Kree put his hand on Kayseri's slim waist, jealous in spite of himself, and she turned into his touch tucking the rose underneath one of the frogs on his jacket. In that moment, the two men’s eyes met over Kayseri's head in prefect understanding, the tall cavalry captain, and the shining Nhurstari male. Lathan’s children laughed, clapped their hands, and demanded more flowers. Kree tightened his arms around his wife and heaved a contented sigh. Funny how love changed things, eight days ago, he’d had no family and no hope of ever having one, but now he was part of a large boisterous family. He was Elhar bound and from there to war, but for the first time his heart was at peace.

  The End