Page 46 of Perfectly Perfect Pixie

“Blissfully well.” A whispered kiss brushed against the tip of my ear. “You’ve spoiled me for anything bottled.”

“Really? I taste that good?”

“Beyond perfect.”

“Good.” I yawned again, nestling closer. “I’d hate to think I taste bad.”

Last year, if you’d told me I’d be worried about how my blood tasted to a vampire, I would have screeched and flown off at top speed. But I wasn’t trying to fly away; I was flying toward Lucroy. I was flying as fast and furious as I could. I was also flying blind. We both were.

ChapterNineteen

LUCROY

Peaches needed to get back to his orchard. He’d been away long enough, and that, combined with the blood I’d taken, made him more vulnerable than usual. I hated the thought of him leaving. There was something infinitely peaceful about having him tucked up against me. I wanted to fall asleep in that chair, sleep the day away, and awaken with him still snuggled up in my arms.

It was a foolish desire.

After waking him, I’d called Leon and then Bree. They would both meet us at the entrance to my underground home. Leon still didn’t think it wise for me to drive Peaches back home. I hated agreeing but knew it was for the best. So far, I still felt well after dining on my pixie’s blood. That could change at any moment. I did not want to be behind the wheel of my Jeep with Peaches in the passenger seat should something tragic happen.

I could not be responsible for something like that, and Leon knew it.

They were both waiting for us just outside the door. Peaches was tired, but he walked up the steps of his own volition. Part of me had wanted to carry him, if only to keep us connected that much longer. However, I needed to make sure he wasn’t lying, that he was truly capable of walking out of Dusk on his own.

Peaches made it up the stairs, and I enjoyed watching the sway of his hips as he walked in front of me.

The music was loud, and Peaches cringed. To my knowledge, pixie hearing wasn’t any better than human. Perhaps it was just the auditory jolt.

“Leon, Bree,” I greeted. “I believe Peaches has been away from his orchard long enough.”

“I could stay away a little longer,” Peaches argued without much heat. He’d said the same thing when I woke him earlier.

“Best not to push things.” I ran my fingers through his hair, tucking the thick strands behind his lightly tipped ears.

Peaches leaned into my touch. Had he been a werecat, he would have purred. Words could never express how much I cherished his response.

“Okay.” Peaches yawned again, showing off brilliant, white teeth that looked small and frail. Pixies really weren’t made for hunting. Leaning over, Peaches stared at his feet, eyes wide. “I don’t remember putting my boots back on.”

“I covered your feet. You seemed too sleepy to notice.”

“Obviously,” Peaches huffed, pulling his lavender shawl tighter around his shoulders. The bite on his neck was exposed, and I pulled his hair forward, covering the mark. I wasn’t sure if Bree had noticed. When I turned and saw her stiffened form, I had little doubt.

“Silence,” I ordered. Bree’s eyes shot toward me. She was too young to completely hide her fear.

“My king.” Bree swallowed thickly. Doubt was clear, but so was loyalty. The fear lingered.

“We are being cautious.”

I didn’t need to explain myself to Bree or any other, but I didn’t like her growing anxiety. By vampire standards, Bree was still young. She was old enough to take care of Peaches but young enough to still require nurturing and reassurance. She’d been through a lot in her previous nest and was content in mine. Her concern was valid.

Leaving Peaches in Leon’s care, I cupped Bree’s head, pulling her toward me and lifting her head so she had to make eye contact. “Listen to me, Bree. I have no intention of risking this nest or my place in it. As I said, Peaches and I are being careful. Leon is supervising.”

I almost told Bree that Peaches was my beloved, but I hadn’t even told Peaches that yet. I hadn’t even spoken it out loud to Leon, although I thought he had an inkling. Leon knew me too well to believe me capable of such a risk for anything less.

“Lucroy?” Peaches’s worried words reached me over the pounding base of a popular song. “Is something wrong? I don’t want to cause problems if—”

“No problems,” Bree answered instead of me. “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable, Peaches. You are always welcome here, and it is my pleasure and privilege to be allowed to escort you home.” Bree offered her neck, just the slightest tilt. It wasn’t seen as the same sign of submission as in the were world. For vampires, it was more a sign of respect, of trust.

“Oh . . . Okay.” Peaches rubbed the back of his neck. “I really don’t think driving me around is all that, but I appreciate your willingness.” Offering up a shy smile, Peaches scooted just a little closer to me. Leon shifted too, and given my new sight line, I saw a most unpleasant figure.

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