Page 32 of Perfectly Perfect Pixie

“I did. I dare say Peaches did too.”

Leon’s laughter was easier than my own. It was also more freely given. “I think the patrons at Dusk last night actually enjoyed the show.” At my growl, Leon held up his hands. “Not like that. I’m just saying it’s not every day you see a couple of dancing pixies a couple of sheets to the wind. Since it was just the two of them, the dust was kept to a minimum, and security kept everyone far enough away that it didn’t cause a problem. It was nice.” Leon’s grin softened. “We live in the dark, Lucroy. Once in a while, it’s nice to be reminded of the light.”

Sitting back down, I nodded my understanding. “That brightness is intoxicating.”

“I get it.” Leaning forward, Leon placed his elbows on his knees. “I’m not gonna sit here and tell you that I’m not worried, but I do understand it. Just be careful, Lucroy. And I’m not just talking about Horatio’s tale. We’ve been going on the assumption that Peaches’s aphid problem was instigated by Arie Belview, but what if it wasn’t?”

I sipped my blood, taking my time before answering, “The thought has crossed my mind.”

“Good.” Leon stood, our conversation at an end. “I’ll let you know if I find anything more out. We’ve got a couple of leads, but you’re right. We need to make certain before we do anything rash. With that in mind, I’m going to get out of your hair.” Leon gave a wicked smile. “I believe there are other issues you’d rather deal with. Or rather, a certain golden-haired pixie you’d like to call.”

“You know me too well, Leon.”

“That’s what over two hundred years of friendship will get you.” With a slight two-finger salute, Leon headed up the stairs and out of my home. The sound of music wafted down the stairs when Leon opened the doors. Memories of Peaches flying overhead, hair tossed out with wild abandon, filled my mind and plumped my sex. But more than that, those images sped my hardened heart.

ChapterFourteen

PEACHES

“Oh my goddess,” I groaned, rolling over on the branch I’d lain on, nearly falling off. It was a mistake I would have made as a child. “Why did I drink so much mead last night?”

My mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and my head pounded. The weaker, late fall sun filtered through the diminished foliage. It was cool enough last night that I should have slept indoors. I’d wanted my trees, though.

With effort, I managed to sit up, scooting until my back leaned against the tree trunk. Pushing my hair off my face, I grimaced. I needed a shower. I also needed to drink a bucket of water. Swinging my legs over the large branch, my wings fluttered to life as my body left the comfort of my tree.

“Even my wing muscles ache,” I complained. I think a couple of sprites heard me, but they didn’t answer. They were busy tending to the trees, searching out harmful insects, and merrily munching away. Phil and I’d danced a lot last night. Most of our dancing had involved flight. More so me than Phil, but he was most likely just as sore, if not more so, than me this morning. Thoughts of Phil drunk and giggly made me laugh.

That laughter slammed to a halt as memories of what followed flooded my brain. My body dropped like a stone, and I only managed to keep from injury at the last second. My sense of self-preservation kicked in, fluttering my wings and making my landing soft.

“Lucroy.” The name was more groan than whispered lament. “Oh goddess, he must hate me.” I smacked the palm of my hand on my forehead, regretting it immediately when it only worsened the ache behind my eyes. “I was so forward.”

My wings kicked in again. Flying much lower to the ground, I made my way to my cottage. So far, the sprites had stuck to our agreement and left me alone while I was inside. They hadn’t approached me yet, but I wanted to berate myself in private.

I hadn’t been drunk enough that the alcohol erased my memories. Right now, I wished things were a little foggier. “I climbed into his lap,” I groaned again. “I rutted against him and bared my throat. Goddess, I was begging him to bite me.” And a hell of a lot more too. “I’m such a moron.”

Filling a glass of water, I downed it before refilling it and drinking another. Finally on the way to rehydration, I managed to make it into the tiny bathroom. I didn’t need much. The shower was just large enough to fit me and my wings.

I let the warm, cleansing rain fall on me, easing some tension from my shoulders. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t wash away my actions last night.

Clean and dry, I put on a pair of loose, fresh clothes and made my way to the kitchen. My stomach couldn’t handle much, but I needed a little something to keep it from completely revolting.

I plucked an apple from the fridge. I wanted to call Lucroy right away, to apologize and hope that I hadn’t ruined our friendship. My memory told me that Lucroy hadn’t acted like my attentions were unwanted, but I couldn’t be certain. I’d literally thrown myself at him.

With the sun high in the sky, it was foolish to call. Lucroy would beasleep. He wouldn’t hear the phone ring, and it would be impossible to wake him at this time of day. I was stuck in my misery until the sun went down.

A breach in the barrier pulled my head up and grabbed my attention. Immediately, I recognized my visitor’s aura and left the house. Sedrick’s truck rumbled up the drive, Phil behind the wheel. He’d recently gotten his license and had taken to driving around some. Sedrick had been brimming with alpha pride the day of Phil’s celebration party. Sedrick had wanted to buy Phil his own vehicle.

Naturally, Phil refused.

Placing the truck into park, Phil stayed inside, head bent and pink hair obscuring his face. I had to knock on the driver’s side window to get his attention.

“Goddess, Peaches, don’t do that,” Phil groaned. “It’s too loud.”

Chuckling, I opened Phil’s door, ushering him out. “I’m surprised you hauled your ass out of bed and came over.”

Sliding out, Phil’s boot-covered feet hit the gravel. He looked a little rougher than usual, but it was hard to make a pixie truly look bad. We bounced back alarmingly well.

“My head’s not as bad as it was this morning. Sedrick fixed me something that he said was sure to cure a hangover. Evidently, he has more experience with them than me.” Phil’s face flushed prettily.

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