Page 40 of Perfectly Perfect Pixie

I wasn’t offended and pressed. “It is very nice, the best of everything. However, I sense it is not completely to your liking.”

“No, I . . .” Peaches waved his hands in the air, and golden dust filled the space as his wings beat worriedly. “I . . . It’s just a little more . . . sterile than I’m used to.”

Leon’s pinched face lightened, and a chuckle broke free. “It is that. I’m afraid most vamp homes are probably similar. Although, to be truthful, it’s pretty rare that we see each other’s homes, so I guess I could be wrong.” Leon ended with a shrug. “We tend to be a pretentious bunch.”

Peaches’s wings slowed, and his body lowered, feet still off the ground. “Why don’t you visit each other more often?”

It was such an incredibly innocent question, and Leon looked completely flummoxed.

“Trust is a hard-won commodity between vampires,” I answered for Leon, taking him off the hot seat.

“That sounds . . . miserable. Unbound pixies visit each other’s homes all the time. If you hadn’t noticed, we kind of like showing off.”

Peaches took off his shawl, revealing a gossamer spider-silk shirt with matching pants. The illusion was one of near nudity, but it was only because the fabric’s color matched Peaches’s natural skin tones. Bending in half, he removed his boots, laying both neatly on a nearby chair.

Peaches shook out his clothes, making himself comfortable. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. The whole room seemed brighter, and my cold heart felt lighter. It beat faster, too, warming my skin more than usual. It was like I’d invited the sun in, pushing away the darkness, making it hide in surrounding crevices.

I silently stood there, appreciative awe numbing my mind to any thoughts that didn’t involve the gorgeous golden god I’d welcomed into my den.

“Lucroy.” Leon’s questioning voice pulled me from my drunken pixie stupor. “Would you like some time alone with Peaches before we start? I can always come back later.”

Truth be told, I’d love nothing more than as much time as I could get with Peaches, but I was anxious to get on with the point of the evening. After studying Peaches so closely, I could see the faint hum of anxiety pushing just below the surface.

“No,” I answered. “I believe we should get on with our little test. Are you agreeable, Peaches?”

Twirling, Peaches’s golden eyes widened before he gave a slow nod. Hands clasped and fingers entwined, Peaches answered, “I’d like that. I’ve been awake for what feels like forever. I couldn’t relax today. The trees tried soothing me. Even the sprites seemed worried, but I just couldn’t settle. I need to know. I want to know.”

“I’m sorry you’ve been so unsettled.” Perhaps I should have brought Peaches back here last night and experimented then. He’d been away from his orchard the night before, and I hadn’t wanted to take him away two nights in a row.

“No.” Peaches waved me off. “It’s okay.” Flying closer, Peaches looked hesitant to touch me. His hands kept twitching, as if they ached to reach for me. “How are we going to do this?” Peaches asked instead.

“That’s a good question.” Leon headed to the bar, pulled the mini-fridge open, and popped open a bottle of human blood I kept inside—just for him, not a hint of ogre. Filling a glass, Leon popped the blood in the microwave just long enough to warm it. After swallowing a thick gulp, Leon set his half-full glass down and pointedly stared at me.

I wanted to roll my eyes at Leon’s theatrics but refrained. Instead, I motioned for Peaches to sit. I hadn’t had time to order a backless chair for him. If tonight worked how I hoped, it would be on my shortlist.

Once Peaches was seated, I pulled up another chair and sat across from him. Offering my hands, Peaches quickly placed his palms in mine. I rubbed his skin, running what I hoped were soothing circles over the backs of his hands.

“We’re going to try something small first. Just a drop or two.” I glanced in Leon’s direction. “Leon is here in case I lose control.”

Peaches sat up straighter. His wings tried to beat but got stymied by the back of the chair. “What, exactly, does that mean?”

In answer, Leon pulled out a small flashlight, the bulb inside UV. Flicking it on, he shone the light on Peaches’s skin. Of course, it did nothing to my pixie.

“It’s low-grade UV.” Leon clicked the light off. “It’s not strong enough to truly injure Lucroy, but it’ll hurt like a son of a bitch. Pain is typically the only way to break through vampire lust. It should do the trick and bring him back to himself long enough for you to hustle out the door and get to safety. I’ll stay behind. If Lucroy can’t get a hold of himself, then I’ll check his ass.”

Peaches pulled his hands from mine, turning the full brunt of his golden eyes on Leon. My second in command wasn’t as immune as I wished. As much as it could, Leon’s skin flushed, and I barely restrained a growl. I silently berated myself. I was acting like an alpha werewolf.

“I don’t mean any offense,” Peaches sounded truly contrite, “but it’s my understanding that vampire’s strength increases with age and that Lucroy’s a lot older than you.”

Leon smirked, just a hint of fang slipping through. “Lucroy’s about double my age, and you’re right. If we need to throw down, he’ll beat my ass. Hopefully his senses come back to him before he can do any real, lasting damage.”

“And if they don’t?”

Leon shrugged. “Then it’s been a hell of a ride these past three hundred years.”

Peaches sharply inhaled. “No, that sounds bad. I can’t—”

“Hey, calm down.” Leon moved around the bar, bringing his glass of blood with him. Pointing the glass in my direction, Leon tried to reassure Peaches. “That’s all worst-case scenario. Personally, I don’t think all of that will be necessary. Lucroy’s got great control. I think he’s worrying about nothing, but I’m here all the same. And I’ll do my duty. Not just my duty. Lucroy’s my friend. If the roles were reversed, he’d do the same for me.”

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