Hearth and Home by E.T. Malinowski

Author:E.T. Malinowski [Malinowski, E.T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-11-23T05:00:00+00:00

BAYBERRY STOOD next to the crucible, his brows furrowed in concentration. Slowly, he gathered the magic to him and held out his hands. A medium-sized glob of clear molten glass floated upward until it hovered in the air just a few feet away from Bayberry’s face. A gentle nudge with his magic sent the glass spinning slowly until it formed a cylinder. Sweat beaded on Bayberry’s forehead. The glass must maintain a thousand degrees or it would be flawed, worthless, an unworthy gift.

Next came the color. Bayberry smiled as the violet, black, and indigo powders danced through the air and merged with the clear glass, swirling around to form a veritable tornado of color with just enough sparkle to catch the eye. Once Bayberry had the shape he wanted, he blew a gentle puff of air at the glass. A perfect bubble formed, guided by his magic. All the while, he maintained the motion and the heat.

With another push Bayberry split the glob of now-colored glass in half. Slowly, two beautiful, perfectly matched, delicate wine glasses hung in the air before him, a nontraditional color on a classy gift for a newly handfasted couple.

Bayberry smiled. He loved making these types of gifts the best. They were a celebration of life and love. Someday he would make such a gift for his mate. A quick glance reassured Bayberry that Thistle was still bent over the reports in his office. He was forced to pull his attention away quickly when he saw the tip of Thistle’s tongue sticking out of those kissable lips.

Cooling had to be done slowly or the glass would crack and or break. He set the flutes on one of the specially prepared benches. With a grateful smile, he accepted the towel Pinebough held out to him. After rubbing his face, Bayberry swiped the cloth down his bare torso. While magic wasn’t nearly as dangerous as the mundane way of blowing glass, it was still hot work, and Bayberry always stripped down to just his breeches to do it.

When he turned around, a flurry of activity took over the workshop. “What?” he asked when Pinebough chuckled.

“You don’t see it, do you?”

“See what?” Bayberry was confused. He reached for his tunic as he waited for Pinebough to explain.

“How can I put this decorously?” Pinebough shook his head, tapping one finger against his lower lip. Then he grinned. “You’re fucking hot! Watching you strip down and work the glass is freaking hot! So, some of us get… distracted and forget we’re supposed to be working.”

“You mean to tell me everyone stops to watch me?” Bayberry said incredulously.

“Yeah.” Pinebough shrugged. “The only thing hotter is the way you watch Thistle when you think he’s not looking.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Bayberry mumbled, looking at the ground as he tied his laces and then reached for his boots.

“Why don’t you just ask him out? For Santa’s sake, you’re with him practically every night now. And you walk him home every night.

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