Page 46 of Kisses at the Crossroads

Pike

Two weeks into being with Lark and Wren comes back.

Lark paces my kitchen with Frankie in tow. She watches the brothers, probably hoping Wren will drop a bit of his cheese for her like he normally does.

“So soon?” Lark asks.

“She’s free the next few days and after that, it’ll be another three weeks.”

Lark looks to me, which causes Wren and Frankie to stare me down too.

“I’m ready to meet your mother. If you are.” I shrug. She seems like a great woman that loves her boys and I want to meet her.

“I’m scared. For a decade all I wanted was to go home, now…” He looks up at me. “I feel like I am home as long as I have Pike.”

“It’s settled then. Get ready and we’ll head out.” Wren takes another bite of his slice of cheese, then offers Frankie the rest. Of course she scarfs it down.

Lark follows me to the bedroom where we change into clothes more appropriate to meet a high standing woman of the Winter Court. I help him close the back of his shirt with his wings gloriously free. He shimmies on a pair of Fae pants that hug his beautiful form, then watches as I change into a dark blue suit. Hunger fills his eyes, but we can’t get distracted. I grab his hand and join Wren before either of us can get frisky.

Lark grips my hand so hard his nails dig into my skin. I don’t mind though, and wrap my tail around him. I let Wren lead and take his offered hand. His teleportation is a little rougher than I’m used to, but we’re in a room scented like jasmine and roses in no time.

“Mother, we’re home,” Wren singsongs out.

Fabric rustles from behind me and soon a petite Fae woman comes flying at Lark. She knocks him over in her effort to hug him.

“My dearest boy.” She squishes his checks and moves his head this way and that. “My, how you’ve grown.” She drops to her feet, and she’s a good few inches shorter than Lark. Her hair is pink just like his, but her eyes are the same jewel green as Wren’s.

The woman turns to me, her eyes widen. “Dearest Pike, thank you for bringing my boy back to me.” She opens her arms and I hug her. She’s soft and smells as good as Lark said she did. “Where are my manors? You can call me Sparrow.”

“You must like birds,” I say with a grin.

“It’s family tradition.” Sparrow shrugs. “But yes.” She takes my hand, and it’s so light I have to make sure I’m even holding anything.

The room’s stone walls is decorated in tapestries with flowers and birds. There appears to be a water fall in the far wall.

“Come. Come. There’s much to do while you’re here.” She takes Lark’s hand as well, and he chuckles when Sparrow takes flight, pulling me along with her. “Please forgive me.” She lands and shakes out her dress.

“Why…” How do I ask this delicately? “Why does the castle and your clothing look like it’s stuck in the human medieval times?”

The little family giggles, and Sparrow waves for them to stop.

“Sorry, it’s such a silly answer. The Winter king likes the esthetics of it all. So he keeps it like this. Eventually he’ll get bored, I’m sure, and then we can wear modern clothes by any realm’s standard.” She twirls in her jewel green dress. “But I must admit, I also love the esthetics.”

This woman is delightful, just like Lark. And I must admit, Wren is fun too and Frankie likes him, so it’s a win.

“Forgive the mess, please. It’s party after party and I have to entertain the court all winter long.” She whips around. “Speaking of. What about a show for the court?” She bounces on her toes as she pleads with her eyes. “I haven’t seen my boys dance together in so long.”

Lark holds up his hands and backs away. “I can’t even remember the steps. I wasn’t allowed much space and my wing strength is lacking to the point I need to build up my muscles properly again.”

“My poor boy. Wren told me some of what you’ve gone through, but I want to hear about it from you.”

Lark goes pale. “Can we speak of it at another time? Right now, I’d like nothing more than to enjoy being back home.”

“Yes. Yes. And if you never want to share with me, that’s fine too. I wish we could have found you sooner. We owe a great deal to Pike.”

I shake my head. “It’s really all Lark. He summoned me, and the rest is history. He’s so damn strong.” I don’t know that I could have lasted as long as he did under a man like Drake.

“My sweet boy. I wish I could have seen you grow up. Seen your first glow. Been there for you.” Sparrow rushes Lark and pulls him to her chest to pet his head. She’s a little chaotic, but loveable for sure.

---