Page 28 of Perfectly Perfect Pixie

“Peaches,” Lucroy said again, this time a little lighter and maybe a bit more exasperated. “I need to get you back to your orchard. You’ve been gone a little over five hours. I believe that is enough. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable, and I fear if you are away much longer, you will begin to feel the drain.”

“Oh pooh.” I blew out a raspberry.

Bending in half, I sat up. The bar spun but not unpleasantly. Slowly things steadied, and I found myself gazing into Lucroy’s fathomless black eyes. Stretching my arms, I wrapped my hands around his jaw, drawing him closer.

“Why are you so handsome?” I asked. The question sounded logical. I’d been contemplating it for a while, so why hadn’t I asked it yet?

Lucroy’s eyes widened, but there was only more endless black. Wrapping his fingers around my wrists, Lucroy teased, “I’m uncertain. What I am sure of is that you are still drunk on mead.”

I shrugged. “Probably. Doesn’t change the fact that you’re gorgeous.”

Rough laughter sounded over Lucroy’s shoulder as a red head of hair popped into my vision.

“Leon!” It was good to see him. I wasn’t sure why, but that’s the way I felt. Maybe it was because Leon was Lucroy’s friend. He’d stopped by a couple of times tonight to check on us and to see if we needed anything.

“Sounds like you’ve got your hands full, Lucroy. I’ve got things here. Why don’t you get Peaches back home? The sun rises in about three hours. That should give you plenty of time to get out to the orchard and back.”

“A sound idea, Leon.” Lucroy’s fingers slipped from my wrists, and I stared at them, wondering why I suddenly felt like something was missing.

“Give me your foot,” Lucroy ordered. Without thought, I stuck out the right one, and Lucroy slipped my pixie boot on. “I know you’d rather be barefoot, but it’s cool outside, and I don’t want you to get too cold.” Warmth spread across my foot, quickly followed by the left.

I stared down at my covered feet, kicking them back and forth like a child.

“Come on, let’s get you home.” Lucroy leaned in, fingers firm against my waist.

Lifting me, Lucroy helped me off the table. I wasn’t as unstable or out of it as Phil and held myself up. My fluttering wings helped stabilize me, and golden dust filled the air.

“You off, Peaches?” Johnny trotted out from behind the bar. Off his built-in riser, Johnny was a little shorter than me. The nubs of his antlers placed him at almost my height.

“Johnny,” I enthusiastically greeted. “Thank you for the mead. It was the best I’ve ever had,” I truthfully praised.

Clapping his thighs, a wide grin split Johnny’s face, lighting it up. “I’ll pass that on to my cousin. He’ll be happy to hear it. It was good to see you again tonight. Don’t be a stranger, and you let me know if you wanna enjoy another bottle or two.” Johnny threw me a wink before he headed back to the bar. With the music lower, it was easy to hear the clack of his hooves.

“It was really good mead,” I felt the need to reiterate.

Leon grinned. It wasn’t enough to show fang, but it was enough to let me know he found me amusing.

“I’ll be back well before dawn,” Lucroy assured his nestmate.

“You will if you head out now. Like I said, I’ll handle closing down. Be safe, and I’ll see you tomorrow at sundown.” Leon offered me a friendly wave goodbye before he turned and headed off.

“I believe we have our orders. My car is outside.” Lucroy placed his hand on the small of my back and walked toward Dusk’s door.

Pushed along, it was impossible not to go with the flow.

A large troll stood sentinel at the door. I’d met him before. “Good night, Bax.” I eagerly waved.

I couldn’t really understand Bax’s muffled reply with his hand over his nose.

“Sorry about the dust,” I yelled over my shoulder. “Pixie dust must be really irritating,” I pouted.

“Not to me,” Lucroy answered.

“Pfft, that’s because you don’t need to breathe.”

“True. The sprites seem to enjoy it.”

I beamed, thinking of my sprites. “They really do. It’s like a boost of energy to them.”

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