Tenn

by Alex R. Kahler

  The moment his hand was on the knob, the car behind him revved to life and spun off.

  “What the—“ Tenn began, jerking around to watch it speed off into the night.

  As the door opened.

  As he realized warm light spilled past from the foyer.

  “Happy birthday,” Jarrett said from behind him.

  Tenn turned around, his heart in his throat, to see his lover smile.

  †

  “I can’t believe this,” Tenn whispered.

  Jarrett had led him in through the hall and into the living room, gently guiding a shell-shocked Tenn to the couch. Candles flickered on every surface, and a fire burned happily in the hearth. How had Tenn missed the smoke?

  “The twins helped,” Jarrett said. “They found this place a few days ago while scouting. Helped me clean. And helped ensure we wouldn’t be interrupted.”

  The room didn’t look like it was four years abandoned. Plush throw pillows adorned the sofa, mirrors and paintings glinted on the walls. Plants—albeit plastic—towered in the corners, beside bay windows overlooking a yard laden with snow and bare apple trees. Tenn couldn’t believe his eyes. Or nose. Amidst the scent of candle and wood smoke came the definitive smell of baking bread and…

  “Is that turkey?”

  Jarrett smiled.

  “I’ve been cooking all day. And cleaning. Hopefully I haven’t forgotten how to the do the former.”

  Jarrett himself had changed from his Hunter’s garb. Dark jeans, fuzzy socks, a thick cardigan. With his hair pulled back in a messy ponytail and the apron around his waist, he looked right at home.

  “I don’t understand,” Tenn said. He was trying to understand, but his brain couldn’t wrap around this scene. The warmth. The light. The cozy scent of cooking.

  “It’s your birthday,” Jarrett said. He picked up a bottle of wine from the coffee table and poured a glass. “I wanted to give you something special.”

  He handed Tenn the glass and poured one for himself.

  “I know how much you miss this sort of life,” Jarrett said. “So I wanted to give you a taste of what we were working for. Of what we would some day have.”

  He smiled, and Water opened within Tenn’s stomach.

  But this time, the treacherous Sphere didn’t dredge up hurt and sorrow.

  It pulled forth love. Filled him to the brim.

  Tears welled behind Tenn’s eyes. For the first time, this life felt possible.

  No. It felt probable.

  “Happy birthday, my love,” Jarrett said, raising his glass. “Here’s to us.”

  Tenn raised his glass, his heart full as he looked into the eyes of the man he knew he would spend the rest of his life with. The man he would always fight for.

  The man who would always fight for him.

  “To us.”

  †

  Don’t forget to pre-order

  RUNEBREAKER

  (Winter 2018) today!

  †

  For exclusive art and world information (including the latest short story) visit

  http://www.runebinder.com

  or follow the author on Instagram @ARKahler

  Other works by Alex R. Kahler

  THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS trilogy

  THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS

  THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS: ACT TWO

  THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS: FINAL ACT

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  THE PALE QUEEN trilogy

  (spinoff to THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS)

  PALE QUEEN RISING

  COLD DREAM DAWNING

  BLACK ICE BURNING

  †

  THE RAVENBORN SAGA

  SHADES OF DARKNESS

  ECHOES OF MEMORY

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  THE RUNEBINDER CHRONICLES

  RUNEBINDER

  TENN (short story)

  RUNEBREAKER (Winter ’18)

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  more details at http://www.arkahler.com/