A question and a curiosity

John rolled off of Lily at the question, settling next to her and staring at the ceiling as he pondered his answer.

“I’m not sure,” He eventually said, truthfully. “I don’t even know what I’m capable of.”

Lily draped an arm over his chest, processing that admission. “But you’re not… human, right?”

John shrugged. “Not anymore, I don’t think. Did you, um, feel-”

“When you pulled out my soul, tied it in a knot, then shoved it back into me?” Lily asked.

John flinched painfully. “Yeah. That.”

“Hmmm. It would be hard not to notice. But, like I said, I’m not upset.” She sighed and rested her cheek against John’s shoulder. “I should be upset, though, shouldn’t I?”

“Probably,” John agreed, “If it’s any consolation, I didn’t do it on purpose.” He gently stroked the back of her hand, then let out a sigh of his own, “I don’t know what I am, and I don’t know what I’m doing. You’re the first person to show me any kindness since this whole ordeal started, but I still hurt you.”

“You didn’t hurt me,” Lily corrected, “You just changed me. I’m guessing humans don’t have much experience with soul magic?”

John turned on his side facing Lily more directly. “Soul magic?”

Lily smiled, “I thought not. I have a fairy friend you should meet. What you did feels… darker and heavier than anything I’ve seen before, but he might be able to offer some insight.”

“Huh.” The idea that he might ever gain something close to a rational explanation for his condition had never occured to John. “Is this somewhat common in Elmhame, then?”

“Ah, no,” Lily said, shaking her head, “Soul Magic is rare, and I honestly don’t know much about it. The Fairy Queens, I know, can work it, but only together. Perhaps some of the First Ones. But it’s the only explanation I can think of.”

“Hmmm,” Hopefully, John thought, Lily’s friend would have more information than Lily herself, but this was already more than he had hoped to discover.

But in the back of his mind, a thought formed. Why worry about where his powers came from? They’ve served him well, thus far, and as he learned more about himself, they would only continue to do more for him. Looking into Lily’s eyes, he found nothing but affection and concern. None of the hate or fear he had encountered with humans. Why question things when they were finally starting to fall into place?

Lily moved closer to him, her soft breasts pressed against his chest, and leaned in to press her lips to his own. He returned the kiss, soft and wet and warm, before pulling back and examining her. “You really are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, you know?”

“I’m an elf, not a woman,” She corrected him, “And you haven’t seen anything yet.”