Page 47 of Kisses at the Crossroads

“I’m okay,” Lark whispers from the confines of her hug. “But I can’t breathe.”

“Yes. Yes. I’m just so ecstatic to have you back home.”

“Mother,” Wren says softly. “Lark probably isn’t staying, you know that, right?”

Her lip quivers, but she nods. “Of course I know that. He’s a grown man and he’ll live where he chooses. I just hope he visits once in a while.”

“I’ll be here so much you’ll get sick of me.” Lark grins and I nod because if that’s what he wants, I’ll make it happen.

“Perfect.” Sparrow claps and waves to a table by a fireplace. “Let’s have some sweets. I have some of Lark’s favorites from his childhood.”

“Not to be an ass,” I start. “But… will I be able to leave the Fae lands if I eat the food?”

Sparrow covers her mouth as she giggles. “Yes. You’re a demon, so you’re safe. If you were human, that’d be a different story.” She pops what looks to be candy into her mouth. “Come, sit. Tell me about yourself, Pike.”

For the next three hours, the four of us talk. Sparrow shares stories of adorable baby Lark and Wren and unfortunately for them, she has pictures.

“Mom,” Lark whines when she pulls out the seventh photo album, but he grins as he does it.

“Please, keep the pictures coming, because these are epic.” I flip to a page with Lark doing a handstand and his tongue sticking out. Another flip and I suck in a breath. He’s dressed in formal wear, standing next to a gorgeous boy with pretty purple hair cut short and a circlet on his head. “Is this…”

“The prince, yes,” Lark says. His cheeks go pink and he looks away.

“Eh, Pike’s hotter, especially now,” Wren says.

In that moment, someone pounds on the door.

Sparrow tips her head. “Wasn’t expecting anyone else today.”

Before she can answer the door, it slams open.

“Where is he?” That same purple haired Fae storms in the room.

Lark scrambles out of his chair and trips on his own feet. I stand, towering over the Fae demanding to see Lark.

“Who are you?” I ask, blocking the prince from Lark.

“Get out of the way.” The prince tries to push me and fails.

“I suggest—” I start.

“You will let me see Lark. I demand it.”

“No,” Lark says from behind me. “I won’t be anyone’s prisoner again. I’m not a courtesan you can’t?—”

The prince staggers back. “A prisoner? I only wish to see you for myself. Make sure you’re truly alive and well.”

“Don’t lie to us,” I say.

“Fae can’t lie,” Sparrow says as she reaches for the prince. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize you were hurting as well.”

“No,” Lark says again. “I need to process this so called new version of you when Wren says you still treat courtesans badly.”

“I’ve changed.”

“How do I know Fae can’t lie?” I ask, not trusting the prince at all.

“My name is Lark,” the prince says, and he cries as he falls to his knees. His wings crinkle from the tops all the way to the tips and the very ends turn black before fading again.

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