Page 4 of Perfectly Perfect Pixie

“This is excellent, Peaches. And it’s just the first year too. Hmm, very impressive work,” Ray praised, and I flushed.

“Thank you. I . . . It’s mostly the trees.” I held up my hands, indicating the wide branching canopies around us. The breeze fluttered, and the tree limbs reached toward me, eager for my attention.

Ray nodded. “While that may be true, it’s obvious the trees are pleased with your stewardship.” Ray glanced around and asked, “Are the property owners around?”

“Oh, yes. Mae and Don are on the other side of the tent.” I pointed in the direction of a large tent we’d set it up in case of rain. Thankfully, the weather was just as beautiful as my orchard.

“Excellent. I’ll pay my respects before I leave.” Ray glanced up at the sun, still a little way off the horizon. “Is Lucroy coming later?”

My flushed cheeks burned. Head tilted down, I shot a hesitant look in Phil’s direction.

My friend was trying to suppress a grin. When he caught my stare, Phil coughed into his hand and looked away.

“He said he would,” I finally managed. “But it’s Saturday night. I know that’s a busy day at Dusk. I wouldn’t blame him if—”

“If Lucroy said he’ll be here, you can expect him shortly after the sun sets.” Ray didn’t sound the least bit skeptical.

“Yes . . . Well . . .” I wasn’t sure what to say.

I wasn’t even sure why I’d stayed in contact with Lucroy Moony. There was no real reason to. I didn’t frequent his bar, and Phil wasn’t working there anymore.

Arie Belview was no longer a known threat, although I still wouldn’t count him out, even with fairy law on our side. Arie would be beyond stupid to go against his agreement, but he wasn’t known as the most devious werewolf on the East Coast for no reason.

“I’m glad he contacted me,” Ray continued after taking another sip of his apple cider. “It’s always a good idea, having things in writing, having them verified and official. Fairy law is in place for a reason.”

It was. That didn’t mean I understood nearly half the reasons behind that true statement. Fairies had adopted a veneer of civility, all wrapped and tied to the laws they upheld. No one wanted to see what would happen if fairies collectively decided that the law no longer applied to them.

“What did Ray help you with?” Phil asked.

I’d forgotten to tell him. Most likely, I’dforgottenbecause Lucroy had been involved.

I stared across the orchard. Not surprisingly, most of the humans had congregated around Don and Mae. I did see a few dwarves in line also, but I could barely make out Don as he dished out apple pie.

“The land.” I held my hands out, feeling the hum of the earth sing through my bones. “I don’t own it. Fairy law says you can’t kick a bonded pixie off land they’ve bonded with.” Considering that would be a death sentence for the pixie involved, it was one of the laws that was seriously upheld.

“It does,” Ray agreed, “but there are other ways the land could be used and still maintain Peaches on the property. Lucroy pointed out that it would be an excellent idea to have a written, legally binding document that decreed Peaches the caregiver not only of the land but every living thing on it. Mae and Don Inskeep may own the property, but they have no right to change its use or any living creature, plant, bacteria—I believe you get the point—without expressed, written permission from Peaches. The document holds true for whoever inherits or purchases the land once the Inskeeps have passed.”

I swallowed hard, not liking to think about Don and Mae passing. Human lives were fragile. They were the shortest-lived of the sentient beings cradled within Mother Earth. Goddess knew it was probably for the best, but it was a sad thought when you stumbled upon pleasant humans.

“If you’ll excuse me, I believe I see a break in the line. I’ll go say hello to Don and Mae.” Ray held up his nearly empty glass of cider. “I’ll see if I can manage another cup while I’m at it.” Ray gave a barely perceptible nod before he walked away, leaving me alone with Phil and Sedrick.

Soft laughter filled the late afternoon air. Heavy foot stomps invaded, and I turned in time to see two wolves, one tawny and dark gray, the other huge and gleaming white. Dillon ran ahead of his sister. Ruthie’s dire wolf hopped after him, nipping at his heels. Both seemed to be having the time of their lives.

“Looks like Ruthie’s gotten used to being on four feet.” It was a marvel how resilient children were.

“She has. Ruthie loves shifting. I think most nights she sleeps in her fur,” Sedrick confirmed.

“I’m glad. She’s beautiful.” I’d never seen a dire wolf before. I’d wager most of the population hadn’t. Wherever the two of them ran and tumbled, gazes followed, along with open mouths and dropped jaws.

“She is.” Fond awe filled Phil’s voice near to bursting. Phil scooted closer to Sedrick, wings flittering, and when I saw the smirk on his face, I knew I was in trouble. “So, you’ve been talking with Mr. Moony?”

I rolled my eyes, huffing and spinning away. “I need to go check on supplies,” I said, my wings beating and lifting me off the ground. I flew away in a shower of gold pixie dust and to the sound of my best friend’s mischievous laughter.

ChapterTwo

LUCROY

The lane leading to Peaches’s orchard was little more than gravel. I drove slowly, trying to lessen the impact on my imported car. More than once, I’d contemplated purchasing a sturdier vehicle—one made for this terrain. If you’d told me six months ago that I’d consider buying a vehicle to visit a pixie, I would have turned and walked away. The very thought wouldn’t have merited comment.

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