Hockey Pucks & Pixie Dust

7 - Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Arizona, The United States, Present Day

Magic had a high range of versatility; however, a mute function against fellow fairies wasn't one of them. At least not for Sindri. Paloma hadn't stopped chatting since Storm presented the hockey stick, and Sindri was ready to cut off her ears and mail them to her friend.

After ensuring no one was paying attention, Paloma magically gathered her stash of lost teeth, tucking them away into a hidden pouch. The very idea of handling someone's bloody denticle made Sindri shudder. There was no telling where those mouths had been, and frankly, she didn't want to know.

"Are you gonna call him?" Paloma had demanded after finishing her work. By the way she bounced and giggled, one would think she was the woman Storm had asked to dinner.

"I don't know yet," Sindri hedged, looping her purse strap over her shoulder and grabbing the stick as she led the way to the exit. Most of the spectators had cleared the arena, with only a few stragglers hanging behind to chat or wait in line at the bathrooms. A metal grate already sealed off the concession stands while staff moved throughout the facility with a cleaning cart, slumped shoulders, and slow steps.

Paloma huffed once before running ahead, blocking the path to the most direct exit. "What do you mean, you don't know? A beautiful man — a professional athlete — has asked you on a date." Leaning closer as an elderly couple trudged past, she whispered, "You were totally into him. I could tell."

A giggle bubbled inside Sindri's throat as she fought to keep a straight face. "I think you were the one ogling him," she teased, refusing to acknowledge Storm wasn't hard on the eyes or that maybe he had a nice smile. She hadn't committed that cute little dimple to memory or secretly wished his backside wasn't covered by so much clothing and gear as he walked away. Nope. Easier to turn it around on the fangirl.

Paloma smirked and looped her arm through Sindri's. "Guilty as charged, and completely unashamed. But this isn't about me; you're the one who needs to fall in love to break that curse."

"You make me sound like one of those fairytale princesses." Minus the fact Sindri wasn't underage or rushing to kiss a stranger in an effort to find Prince or Princess Charming.

The pair exited the building into the mild January air. The rain had been relentless, bringing down the temperatures, but never enough to freeze. Here in the desert though, people bundled themselves in thick hoodies while darting to the parking lot without the umbrellas they'd likely forgotten to keep in their cars.

As they kept dry beneath the overhang, Paloma uttered a wistful sigh. "Well, even among fairies, you do seem to bring home more animals than most. One might consider that a standard princess trait."

Sindri laughed. There was no denying she attracted wildlife of every variety that somehow seemed to follow her into the Fae realm. Rín, that fox she'd named Mischief, and many others. But a princess? "I think that's the only criteria I've met. I'm fresh out of fairy godmothers and evil stepmothers. Oh, and I'm totally not royalty, and neither is Storm."

"He's hockey royalty," Paloma insisted. "It counts."

Ever the romantic, Paloma could spot a match between a bird and a fish. But for once, Sindri didn't mind the optimism she'd lost over time. While she didn't think she had a type of man or woman, Storm had so far impressed her with his mild manners and athleticism. There'd also been a brief spark — probably static electricity from brushing skin — but it had been nice and enough to catch her off guard.

Should she call him? If she asked Paloma, her bestie wouldn't hesitate to encourage the match. Then she'd fly to the nearest rooftop and shout it to the city. Thayer, on the other hand... well, he'd never approved of any of her trysts; he'd always said her partners weren't a good match before proving Sindri right. Sooner or later, her lovers left the earth while she remained behind.