Satyr Boyfriend Midas (special preview)

“He’s weird, but he seems nice,” I say unsurely.

“Does he seem familiar?” Westley asks quietly.

I nod. “I just don’t know how.”

“Ignore it,” he tells me. “Because you don’t.” He then stands up. “Do you want me to walk you home or would you like to stay the night?”

“I can make it home,” I say and stand up. “I’ll come get Mari in the morning.”

There is a walkway between our two homes, a small covered path that Westley and Lieselotte had built so Mari could come visit whenever she wanted and not have to go onto the street. I’m going down it, when I see something glittering on the bricks.

I pick it up, seeing it is a necklace made of opal beads. It’s so beautiful and I feel as if I have seen it before. As I touch the smooth stones, a strange sensation washes over me. Tears fall from my eyes and I lose my breath for a second. I stumble, nearly falling. I’m grabbed and I look up into a pair of golden eyes. It’s Mr. Gold, only he looks so different and even more familiar.

His hair is longer and falls to his shoulders. He has large horns on the top of his head and his features are more animal, almost goat-like, especially the eyes. He’s wearing gloves that go all the way up his arms. He takes the necklace from me and places it around my neck.

“I’ve found you,” he whispers. “And I intend on taking my family back.”

I wake up to my alarm. I grumble and rub my eyes, not ready for this sudden awakening. I yawn and stretch and get up to go to the bathroom. As I wash my face, I look into the mirror and see the necklace around my neck. I touch the opals with my fingertips and my guts jolt.

Was it a dream? Surely such a thing was! But then how did that explain the necklace? I go back to my bedroom where Mr. Gold’s card is resting right by my phone. I pick up my phone and dial his number.

“Good morning,” he replies. “I wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon.”

“Yes,” I start with a weak voice. I clear my throat and take a deep breath. “I want to take that job,” I say as I rub the opals on my throat with the nub where my hand used to be. “The series you were talking about.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful!” Mr. Gold cheers. “When would you like to discuss the details? I’m free today, actually. Would that be alright?”

I glance out my window towards Westley and Lieselotte’s house. I remember what Westley told me, but I need to know more about Mr. Gold.

“That’s perfect,” I reply.

“Oh, wonderful! How about lunch, then? My treat. I know just the place too. I can bring it to your house, if you wish. I know you had a long night.”

I swallow down my fear. “It was a long night,” I reply. “We can meet here,” I say. “That would suit just fine.”

“Perfect,” Mr. Gold purrs. “I can’t wait to see you again.”

I hear the door open and Mari scampering inside. “I’ll see you soon,” I reply and hang up my phone.

Mari comes in with a great big smile on her face. “We brought breakfast, Mama!” She cheers.