Page 71 of Perfectly Perfect Pixie

“Not vampire business?” Phil sounded aghast. “But Peaches is Mr. Moony’s beloved.” Phil’s gaze swept from Sedrick to me. “Isn’t that what you told me?”

Sedrick looked uncomfortable, while I was just confused. “I . . . I told you that’s what I suspected. Lucroy’s never told me so directly.”

Phil started to say something, but I beat him to it. “What does that mean?Beloved?” I’d heard the term before, but it wasn’t something pixies generally cared about. Generally, we had very little interaction with vampires and cared about their love lives even less.

Head tilted back, Sedrick pinched the bridge of his nose. “Moon Goddess, why do you do this to me?” He lamented before pulling himself together. “It means you’re his mate. Or the vampire equivalent. He would tell you after things were settled with Freddie and the council. You’ll have to ask Lucroy, but I’m guessing he also wanted to make certain your blood really caused no harm because once you seal the bond, Lucroy won’t be able to feed from anyone else. All other blood will be poison to him.”

“Oh!” I flew higher, all discomfort forgotten. Anger rushed through me. “He should have told me,” I wailed. The trees shifted, their limbs swaying with my frustration. “What in the hell was he thinking?”

I’d gone so high Phil had to fly up to meet me. “He probably just wanted to keep you safe,” Phil defended Lucroy. “And I’m sure he didn’t want to pressure you into anything.”

“Fat lot of good that did,” I huffed, fisted hands on my hips. I took off, zipping toward Sedrick’s truck. “Come on,” I yelled. “We need to get to Dusk.”

In a flash, Sedrick stood, arms crossed, in front of the driver’s side door. “Like hell, Peaches. You’re still recovering and asking me to take you off your land again. That’s bullshit. You’re part of my pack, and I won’t risk your health any more than it’s been risked today.” Shaking a finger in my direction, Sedrick growled, “And that is final.”

“Oh really?” Two could play the stubborn game. Hovering, I crossed my arms, mimicking Sedrick’s stance. Phil was off to the side, eyes worried. Leaning in, I said, “How about this? If you don’t drive me, I’ll try to fly it. I doubt I’d be up for that, even on my best day. I’ll probably run out of steam about halfway there. Doesn’t matter. I’ll walk if I must, or better yet, I’ll call a rideshare.” With an eyebrow quirked, I said, “You seem to think my barrier only keeps out harm. I’ll let you in on a little secret. I can adapt it not to let you out.”

Sedrick recoiled like I’d punched him in the gut. “You wouldn’t.”

“Oh, I would.”

Phil moved, sliding up beside Sedrick. “If you don’t drive him, I will.” Phil’s tone was whisper-soft and full of emotion.

Sedrick’s look of betrayal broke my heart. I had no idea how Phil kept staring into those wounded eyes.

Cradling Sedrick’s bearded cheeks in his hands, Phil kissed Sedrick’s lips softly. “I’m sorry, but you can’t expect me to do any less. If you were facing off against something like this, I would move heaven, earth, and the goddess herself to get to you. And you would do the same for me. We can’t expect Peaches to do anything less. That’s not the kind of alpha you are. That’s not the werewolf I mated.” Phil continued stroking Sedrick’s face, fingers gliding through his facial hair, caressing little circles, and making gentle movements.

I knew the moment Phil’s words reached his mate. All of Sedrick’s hard planes softened, melting with the touch of his mate. Eyes drifting closed, Sedrick inhaled deeply. Phil had once told me that Sedrick did that when he was especially stressed and needed his mate’s scent to soothe his wolf.

“Get in.” Sedrick’s voice was barely above a whisper, yet he still spoke with firm command.

I didn’t waste time. All but one of my hovering sprites flew off. “I’m coming too,” a tiny, high-pitched voice said. It was the same sprite I’d originally met.

“You don’t have to,” I answered, already climbing into Sedrick’s truck. Phil slid into the center, his body plastered against his mate.

“I know, but I want to, and my colony agrees.” The sprite nestled down into my hair, ready to go along for the ride. I had no idea what they thought they’d be able to do. Then again, I had no idea what I thought I could do either. All I knew was that I needed to go. I needed to be with Lucroy.

The truck’s cab was too small to make riding with two pixies comfortable. Our wings were trapped behind us, layered on top of one another. Neither Phil nor I complained. Sedrick’s truck dipped and swayed through the gravel leading to my land. We broke through the barrier sooner than I would have liked, and I instantly felt the loss.

My little sprite whispered into my ear, “I’ve got you, Peaches. Sprites are part of the land. We’re the piece you can take with you.”

Surprised, I grasped the fabric over my chest. My hands were still covered in dirt, as was the rest of me. I hadn’t thought of a shower. I looked like I’d crawled my way out of my own grave. I felt a bit like that too. It didn’t matter. This earth was my home. It was the source of my strength, and it was the love lighting my heart. The little sprite riding on my head was another light, one that wouldn’t dim no matter what lay ahead.

ChapterTwenty-Eight

LUCROY

My nestmates trickled in. The older ones had enough control to hide their fear. The younger ones were open books. I would have spared them if I could, but I needed them here. I needed them to see that I was well, that everything they’d heard or seen the last couple of weeks was a ruse and nothing more. Most of my nestmates resided too far away to get to Dusk. Word would spread. Of that, I had little doubt. Besides, those farther away would be less likely to have a hand in Frederick’s misguided plan.

Leon hissed, and I followed his gaze. Bree. She stood just inside the door, eyes wide as she took in the growing crowd. Health-wise, she appeared well enough, though her face was pale, thin, and drawn. She also wouldn’t meet my gaze.

“You want me to bring her to you?” Leon asked.

“Not yet.” I wanted nothing more than to interrogate Bree. Now wasn’t the time. Accusing her of harming Peaches would indicate a lack of good judgment on my part, strengthening Freddie’s complaints. I would not give him the satisfaction. “Keep an eye on her, though. When this is over, we will most definitely have a discussion.”

“Shall we wait for more?” Gashan was the only female in the council. Women weren’t turned as often in ancient times. Prejudice has been alive and well for eons. Gazing around at my nestmate’s, the corner of Gashan’s lip lifted. “It is odd, King Moony. We do not often have such an audience.”

Still trying to appear relaxed, I rested my elbows on the bar top. “I watch over my nest a little differently than others.”

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