Page 63 of Perfectly Perfect Pixie

Bree shuddered at the frigid quality in my tone. “Y-yes.” Clearing her throat, Bree soldiered forward. “I’ve heard Horatio’s story. It’s Vamp 101. Any sire worth their salt tells their offspring about what happened to Horatio. Pixie blood is—”

“You’re correct, Bree. You shouldn’t pry, and as long as it is consensual, whose blood I drink is none of your business. Just as who you choose to feast upon is none of mine.”

Bree’s jaw snapped closed so quickly her teeth rattled. A clipped “yes, sir” echoed through the tomblike vehicle.

Silently sighing, I felt that little niggle of guilt peck the back of my brain. I’d been far too harsh. Bree had come into my nest in rough shape. She was as loyal as any of my nestmates came. It was one of the reasons I’d chosen her to drive Peaches. Bree would never do anything to harm me, and she was well aware of how important Peaches was to me.

“Apologies, Bree. I realize you are simply expressing your concern. Have faith. All will be well. You have my word.”

Bree’s eyes flashed into the rearview mirror again. This time, I didn’t look away. I kept her gaze. I didn’t think she appeared any less concerned, but in the end, she simply answered, “Yes, my king.”

* * *

It was difficult not feeding from Peaches. We spent most of the evening and into the early morning hours cuddled together on a large tree branch. The evening was relatively mild. Tomorrow the weather would change, and deep cold would settle back in.

For now, the wind was mild. Snuggled underneath a thick quilt, Peaches cradled within my arms, we watched the sprites dance through the orchard. I often wondered when they slept. Peaches told me they seemed to take naps here and there rather than sleeping for hours on end. Unless the weather was poor, there were always sprites fluttering about.

They lit up the night sky. It was as if the stars had fallen from the heavens, blanketing Peaches’s orchard. Unlike fireflies, the sprite’s bright light didn’t fade or dim.

Peaches slept, nestled in the safety of my arms. If I had my way, he’d never leave the safety of his bonded land. Nothing and no one could harm him here. As soon as he left the edge of his boundary, Peaches became far too fragile for my peace of mind. He’d puff out his cheeks, stomp his foot, and thrust out his defiant chest if I spoke my concerns out loud. Peaches was a proud pixie. I didn’t doubt his fortitude, only his mortality.

We’d stayed like that for hours. Time stood still, and peace like I’d never known filled the piece of soul still remaining within me. I had never imagined my second life could be like this. Perhaps that was a blessing. If vampires had the faintest clue this was possible, they’d scour the earth searching for it. Who knew how many lives they’d destroy in their quest to find this exquisite joy.

I’d carried Peaches into his cottage, laying him in his bed and covering him with quilts. I wanted to stay longer, wait until the last possible minute to leave. But I was on a fool’s mission tonight. I hoped this would be the nail in Frederick’s coffin. I planned to make myillnesslook like it was taking too big of a toll. And to do that, I needed to appear sick. That’s why I hadn’t fed from Peaches as planned. Flushed and rosy cheeks would not a sick vampire make.

If the look Bree gave me as I falsely hobbled toward the Jeep was anything to go by, I should be nominated for an Oscar.

“Sir, are you—”

“Home, Bree,” I answered before she could express any further concern. I didn’t like lying to Bree.

Mouth opening, Bree desperately wanted to say something but wisely kept it to herself. Opening the door for me again, Bree made sure I was safely tucked in before she turned the Jeep around and headed down the gravel path leaving Peaches’s orchard. I felt the change in the air as soon as we passed through his boundary. It was like throwing off a warm blanket, exposing your body to the cold.

Silent as the grave, Bree kept her worries to herself. The desperate glances in the rearview mirror were nowhere to be seen. Pulling into the nearest parking spot, Bree got out and opened the door for me. I allowed her to do so and stepped onto the pavement shakily.

Bree finally broke her silence. “I think I should call Leon.”

I started to argue but thought better of it. Bree didn’t know it, but she was playing into my plan very well.

“Thank you. Please tell him to meet me at the garage entrance.”

I didn’t wait for Bree to make the call. I started for the door, my gait slow and unsteady. Leon opened the door seconds before I got there. Not even a hint of our deception filtered through Leon’s black gaze.

Without a word, Leon offered me his arm, and I took it. Leaning in so no other could hear, Leon whispered, “You look pale as death.”

“Didn’t feed,” I whispered back. Even without feeding tonight, Frederick would be no match for me. I might have looked diminished outwardly, but inside was a whole different story. The blood I’d taken from Peaches the previous evening was still coursing through my veins, and it was glorious.

“Good,” Leon grunted. “Looks damn believable.”

“Let’s make my abstinence count.”

Chuckling low, Leon pushed through the door leading from the hallway and into the heart of Dusk. Music assaulted my ears, a far cry from the quiet countryside peace. When I finally moved to Peaches’s orchard, I did not believe I’d miss this nightly routine.

“Showtime,” Leon whispered, barely sticking out the toe of his shoe.

I allowed myself totrip. My hand slammed into the wall as Leon made a show of shoring me up.

“Did he see?” I asked, hoping with everything I had I wouldn’t need to repeat such a humiliating stunt.

---