Lucroy stared at me, the endless depths of his black eyes difficult to read. Finally, he gave a minute head shake. “I do not believe I heard what you did. There was something, a sharp click that was almost too high-pitched for my ears to catch. I doubt human ears could. Sedrick would most likely hear it the best.”
“Not unless he has one of these.” Mattie used her free hand to tap her left ear, indicating she had the same device she’d given me. The satisfied grin she wore spoke volumes.
Realizing I was ignoring the tiny sprite, I answered, “I’m Peaches. Can you understand me all right?” I wasn’t sure if sprites had to have the same kind of device. If so, I wasn’t sure how Mattie had been able to make one so small.
“I can understand fine.” The little sprite huffed, as if annoyed. “I hear you have an aphid problem.” The sprite got right down to business, something I was grateful for.
“I do. There are a lot of them.” I wasn’t sure how much information the sprites had been given. “I’m bonded to the land, to the trees.”
“That’s a problem,” the little sprite agreed, sympathy replacing the earlier irritation. “And you’re willing to take in my colony? Pixies normally don’t want us around.” Now it sounded wary.
“I’m willing and ready,” I quickly responded, trying to soothe some of their anxiety. “I’m sure we can come to some sort of agreement that is beneficial to all. I’m willing to share my pixie dust. I would appreciate it if we could set some . . . boundaries, but I’m not selfish.” The more I considered it, the nicer I thought it might be. In many ways, pixie dust was, at best, worthless. At worst, it was annoying. Most couldn’t tolerate it. So far, Mattie seemed fine. I suspected she had a spell for that too.
The sprite fluttered, its glow brightening even more. “What are yourboundaries?”
“The cottage. If I’m inside, then I would appreciate some private, personal time. It’s not that I never want you inside. It’s just . . . I’m used to having some solitary space.” I wasn’t sure why I felt embarrassed. I wasn’t that different from most sentient species. Some liked herding together, but most of us enjoyed some private time. That was one of the few things nearly all species had in common.
“Understandable.” The sprite answered. “And I believe doable. Reasonable even. Are there any other conditions?”
I considered the question before finally answering. “The orchard and the land I’ve bonded to, it’s sacred to me. I expect each and every one of you to respect that.”
A high-pitched huff sounded in my ear, making me wince. “Of course. We’re nothuman.” The sprite spat the name out as if it tasted foul. Given the fact these sprites were looking for a new home because of human deforestation, I thought I understood.
“I suppose there could be changes in the future,” I hastened to add. “None of us know what time will bring. I hope if change happens, we can discuss it and come to a mutual agreement. I want you to be happy here. I want this to become your home.” I’d thought about it all day. A lot of pixies would think I was crazy. Sprites could easily become a nuisance. What they could also be was very beneficial to the trees and the land. Sprites consumed insects. While many insects were beneficial, not all were. A sprite-filled forest was a healthier forest. Besides, if they thought of the land as theirs—as a permanent home—they’d be more likely to care for it as I did.
The sprite dimmed, the rapid movement dissipating into a stillness that didn’t seem natural. Worried I’d said something wrong, I leaned forward and said, “I’m sorry, did I—”
Sudden whirling startled me, and I flew back so fast I hit Lucroy’s chest. My wings furiously beat against the solid wall he created. Lucroy didn’t move an inch.
“Truly?” High-pitched hope sang through my right ear, that one word filled with a world of longing. “Do you truly mean that? A permanent home? Not something that only lasts until the aphids are taken care of?”
Lucroy’s arm wrapped around my middle, holding me tight, my toes a couple of feet off the ground despite the inactivity of my wings. Smiling broadly, I answered, “I truly do.”
I gasped, eyes flying wide as the sprite zipped into the air, twirling and buzzing like a firework before it shot back into the box. Within seconds, a cacophony of ear-piercing shouts and indistinct voices screamed through my ear, buzzing painfully in my head. Quickly, I plucked the spelled earpiece out. The relief was instant.
“Peaches? Are you well? Did that device harm you?” Lucroy’s tone was cool, with little to no inflection. It seemed innocuous.
Mattie’s blanched face and wide eyes made me think differently.
“No. I mean, I’m fine,” I quickly answered, trying to dispel some of the alarm. “The device didn’t hurt me. I think all the sprites are talking at once. It was just a bit overwhelming.”
Mattie seemed to understand. Nodding once, she said, “You get used to it. I should have warned you that it can be a bit much when they get excited.”
“And they are excited now?” Lucroy asked.
“Oh, very much so.” The smile was back on Mattie’s face. “I believe your pixie has just made not only their night but their lives.”
My cheeks burned. Did she truly think Lucroy and I were like that? That I washis pixie? Did I want her to think that? My fluttering heart told me that maybe I did. Despite how foolish it seemed. Despite the fact that we were opposites in every sense of the word. I didn’t think I could be as lucky as Phil. Maybe this thing with Lucroy didn’t have to mean forever. Maybe it could just be what it was. Not that I truly knew what that was either.
Before I had time to ponder myself into a migraine, a sprite emerged from the box. Hastily, I placed the translator back into my ear. Loud murmuring sang in the background, but it was less than before and manageable.
“We’re in agreement,” the lone sprite said. I wasn’t completely certain if it was the same one as before but suspected it was and that this one had somehow been elected to speak for the others. “The colony is happy to help with the aphid situation. We are also . . .pleasedto find a new home. We believe it is possible to abide by the conditions you have set and are willing to renegotiate should the need arise.”
I had no idea sprites could be so articulate and wondered if they were more closely related to fairies than anyone thought.
I started to fly toward the sprite, but Lucroy’s arm held me still, like a comforting vice. Turning my head ever so slightly, I asked, “Can you please let me go? I’d like to welcome my newest neighbors.”
For a brief moment, I didn’t think Lucroy would relent. His arm dropped, slowly drifting down my side, the glide of his cool skin masked by my spider-silk clothes.