Mike struggled against the growing contentment, not wanting to end up as a common animal. He wanted to be a centaur again, to be able to think and talk and have hands. This had been a stupid whim, playing around with forces he did not understand.
[It's too late for you to go back to our world.] Tye looked at him and frowned. [And enough has been locked in place by the spells that I can't put you back in the adventure, at least not for a while. But I can make you a centaur again.]
Mike felt a surge of relief, though it was mostly because he would not lose himself into a horse mind.
[Your situation is going to improve, but it isn't really changing all that much. Maybe we can get you back in our game in a year or two.] Then Tye vanished.
Mike felt a sudden throbbing and heat in his head and neck, and gave a started whinny as they suddenly twisted and reformed into a human's upper body! He was a centaur again!
"What's wrong, fellah? Did I catch a sore spot?" The boy was patting his side, not seeming to have noticed that he was no longer grooming a horse. But as Mike tried to think of what to say, the boy grinned up at him. "We never had a centaur before, only total animals. I hope you will tell me if I do anything that hurts you in any way. You may be our plow horse now, but that doesn't excuse bad treatment."
Mike blinked at the boy. Curiously, the sense of connection that had been building was still there, and the boy's touch and voice were very comforting. "Uh, no. I am enjoying the grooming a lot. Thanks."
The boy nodded and resumed the brushing. "Good. Liam said it would be pleasant for you. It just seems a little strange to have someone willing to accept a work animal's life. I guess centaurs don't think like humans do. Maybe it won't be all that different for you when I'm done."