Chapter 38

The flying house settled in a small field after lunch. Everyone except Tavik exited swiftly to walk around and stretch their legs. Yula looked back at the cottage with pity.

“We should let Tavik come out and relieve himself. I would think he needs it.”

Naomi looked back at the house too. She frowned. “It would be too easy for him to escape. He could overpower us in a snap.”

“He will not escape,” Agatha said.

“You can’t be sure. It’s too much of a risk,” Naomi argued.

“So he should just piddle on the floor? That’ll be nice,” Mr. Squibbles said from Agatha’s apron pocket.

“What’ll we do to keep him from escaping?” Naomi asked.

“We could put a leash on him,” Mr. Squibbles suggested.

Yula looked sickened by the idea.

“It could work. Who is going to leash him?” Naomi said.

Everyone looked at her. Naomi began backing away and shaking her head. “Oh, no. I am not holding the leash on Tavik. He already wants to kill me first.”

“Come on, Naomi. He’s your husband, so you’re the one who gets to walk him,” Mr. Squibbles said.

“Oh, sure. Use the old matrimony argument: To love, honor, and imprison.”

Yula crossed her arms. “It’s either let him outside to relieve himself or mop up after him, and I just spent all morning on my hands and knees cleaning that floor.”

“You know no one asked you to do that. I keep a very tidy home.”

Yula pressed her lips shut and turned away. Agatha’s eyes narrowed. “Naomi, go, before these two start scratching each other’s eyes out,” Mr. Squibbles said.

“I’m going. I’m going.” Naomi did an about face and headed back to the cottage.
Tavik lifted his head when she entered. Naomi suddenly realized she had no idea what to do. Leashing Tavik just insured he couldn’t run away, but he could still run at her. Naomi planted her fists on her hips and glared at him. Her frustration seemed to amuse him if the twitching at the corners of his mouth were any indication.

“I’m supposed to take you outside so you can relieve yourself.”

“Very kind of you.”

“You only have to pee, right?”

“Yes, I only have to pee.”

“Thank, God.”

She found another long length of rope. She went over to him and put a hangman’s noose around his neck. “Stand up.”

He rose and stood straight with his shoulder’s back. He was still very large and intimidating. She was so dead. She tugged on the noose.

“Follow me, hop-along.”

He shuffled a couple of inches and stopped. “This is ridiculous.”

“Better ridiculous than dead.” She tugged on the rope. “Now come on.”

“Plan on holding it for me?”

“No, you can sit like a woman.”

“Untie my feet at least.”

Naomi shook her head. “Uh, no. You could tackle me or something, and I would rather not find out what the or something could be.”

“I give you my word of honor that I will not tackle you or something,” he said dully.

She shook her head again. “I don’t think I can trust you.”

“I’ve kept my word to you didn’t I?”

Naomi tilted her head and contemplated. “You kept it sort of, but I don’t think you have any compunction to keep your word now. We kidnapped you.”

“Naomi, I would never harm you. I gave you that oath and do not ever want to break it.”

She gave him a speculative look. He seemed sincere, but she couldn’t believe he truly was. She looked at his feet. It would take them hours to get out of the cottage like this.

Knowing it was a bad idea, she went with it anyway. “Sit down.” He sat without another word. She knelt on the floor and untied his legs. She heaved a deep breath, and placed her hands on his knees to push herself up. As she rose, Tavik opened his legs, and she found herself suddenly pitched forward into his lap. Her face was level with his, and she froze.

“You promised,” she said.

He grinned. “What did I promise?”

She opened her mouth to answer, and suddenly she had Tavik’s tongue in it. She flailed back, but He followed her. He was remorseless. His hands were tied behind his back, but Naomi felt like the powerless one, and it did not feel too bad. Damn the man was a good kisser, but Naomi knew she should not indulge. Tavik needed to stay unicorn bait. Naomi pushed him away and skipped back finally. She raised her hand and wiped her mouth.

“That definitely falls into the or something category,” she said.

He looked very pleased with himself. “Pity, I thought you might let that pass.”

She bent and picked up the rope. She gave it a good tug. “Come on.”

Mr. Squibbles sat on a rock near the door. “What took you two so long?” he asked looking up at them. He noticed Naomi’s flushed face and bruised lips.

“Naomi,” the mouse scolded.

“It’s his fault,” she said pointing at Tavik.

“Humph, I think I will go with you two. Obviously, you two need a chaperone.”

“We’re married,” Tavik argued.

“Doesn’t matter,” Mr. Squibbles said. He crawled up Tavik and took up residence on his shoulder. “Well, let's go pee,” the mouse said.

Continue to Chapter 39.