“Sounds like he made an impression on you from the very start.”
An impression. Made an impression. Im–pre–sh–in. “What does that mean?”
Jay smiled. “I mean you liked him as soon as you saw him.”
Isellta thought about it. “He has a very nice face, even with the scar and his ruined eye. And his smile is always like a new day.”
“Poor kid. You have it so bad for him.”
“But why? Why does it have to be Robin? Why can’t it be you?”
“Do you want it to be me?”
“It should be you. It would make more sense.”
He ruffled up Isellta’s hair. “Who knows?” He stretched his arms and yawned. “Ohh. I’m gonna go back to sleep.” He rose from the bed and walked over to the rocking chair.
Isellta blinked quickly. “You’re not going to sleep on the bed?”
“Nah. It’s all yours, kid.”
Isellta’s gaze fell. “You aren’t going to…”
“To what?”
“You don’t want…You don’t…You’re not going to…”
Jay returned to him and knelt in front of the fey. “Look at me.”
Isellta obeyed.
“I will not do anything to you unless you want me to. Okay?”
“You put your leg on my legs.”
Jay’s face reddened. “Did I really? Sorry about that. Did it make you uncomfortable?”
Isellta’s wings flittered.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that to you. I must have forgotten that you were still in bed with me. I’m sorry. I won’t do that again. I promise.”
“Mm.”
Jay stood. “Go back to sleep.”
“Jay. I have a question.”
“Fire away.”
“When…when I was playing the fey mind game on you as Maelin, you did something and I don’t understand it.”
“Uh-oh. What did I do?”
“It isn’t a bad thing. At least, it didn’t feel bad. You pressed your lips on her lips over and over. Why? What is the sense of it? What is its purpose?”
“That was a kiss.”
“Oh. So, that’s a kiss.” So? Raven wanted to do that to Mae Rose Farlington? I wonder why.
“A kiss is…Oh, how do I explain this? It’s a way for a couple to express their love for each other. Sometimes it’s just a simple kiss. Other times it can…well. Get a little out of hand.”
“Like how you were touching her.”
“Exactly.”
Isellta’s mind quietly processed that information. “Would it be okay if I kissed Robin?”
“As long as he doesn’t mind.”
Isellta tilted his head. “Do I have to ask for his permission?”
Jay smiled. “First time, it would probably be a good idea.”
“And after that?”
“Depends on how well he took that first kiss.”
Isellta twisted his fingers. “What if he wants to kiss me first? What do I do? How do I respond to that?”
“You want to know how to kiss?”
He nodded.
Jay sighed and scratched the back of his head. “How do I explain this without making it sound like something from a boring instruction manual? Uhhh.” His face reddened again. “I guess I could show you. Do you want me to show you?”
Isellta nodded. “Should I turn into Maelin again? Would that make it easier for you?”
Jay shook his head. “Just stay you.” He sat beside him and gently turned the fey’s face. “Eye contact is important. Then, you turn your head like this. Never kiss straight on. That’s a good way to get a smashed nose. Slowly move forward like this. Close your eyes at the last possible moment, because kissing with your eyes open is weird and awkward. Trust me on this one. Then, when you’re close enough to your partner’s lips, slightly purse your lips. Don’t, please don’t, purse them too much. You’ll look like a freaking fish. Press your lips against your partner’s lips like this…”
Isellta’s wings flapped.
Jay backed away. “And that is how you kiss.”
“That was very pleasant.”
Jay laughed in surprise. “I have never had anyone say that to me before. I’ll take it.” He ruffled the fey’s hair again. “Go back to sleep, okay?”
“Thank you, Jay.”
“Good night, kid.”
Isellta crawled back up to the pillows and grabbed a random one. He curled up with it tight in his embrace and fell asleep.
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