Page 24 of Perfectly Charmed Pixie

Head held high, I tilted my nose to the ceiling, refusing to further glance in his direction. Only, I couldn’t exactly help it. And when I did look again, I noticed a squat, redheaded witch at his side. And she… Did she just kiss him?

Rage, boiling hot and swift, raced through me. My movement was more instinctive than thought-out. Wings flaring to life, I sprinted in Vander’s direction. I’d made it past a single table when reason kicked in.

Why did I care who Vander Kines kissed? With hands fisted, I vigorously shook my head. I didn’t care. Did I?

Irritated frustration replaced my rage. This emotion was hardly better than the one before. I’d managed to work myself into a pretty good snit when the annoying warlock appeared before me. I didn’t think he’d used magic to sneak up on me. I was too caught up in my own brain to pay attention.

“Good evening, Parsnip.” Vander’s deep, soothing voice rolled through me, and I shivered.

I’d always found Lance’s higher pitch irritating and lamented the fact that I’d found the one warlock in the country that didn’t have the typical melodic voice. Now I kind of hated that soulful rasp.

Far from ready to give up my wounded pride, I snapped, “It was good. Then I ran into you.” Crossing my arms, I pushed out my chest and flew a little higher.

I’d expected that comment to wound Vander. Or, at the very least, irritate him just a little. Instead, he laughed.

“Is that the best you’ve got?” Vander cocked his head, amusement lighting up his stupidly handsome features.

Oooh.I silently seethed while forcing the widest, fakest smile of my life onto my face. “Apologies. I simply didn’t wish to waste too much effort insultingyou.” There! Take that, Vander.

“Ah, I see.” Shoving his hands into his pockets, Vander rocked back on his heels. Those damn hazel eyes bored into me, and I couldn’t look away no matter how hard I tried. And I did try. Goddess help me, I tried.

“Well,” I huffed, “if that’s all, then I’ve got places to be, others to—”

“I think we got off on the wrong foot, Parsnip, and that’s on me. I’d like to apologize. If you’ll let me.”

It was like he’d smacked the breath from my body. Wings stuttering, I lost altitude and had to look up at him. “Wh-what?” I didn’t know what else to say. Vander’s words completely blindsided me. Finally pulling my wits together, I managed to ask, “Exactly what are you apologizing for?”

Divia showed up in my peripheral vision. She was holding a crystal blue glass in one hand and ice-cold water in the other. Head cocked to the side, she raised an eyebrow, asking if I needed an exit strategy. If I’d been wise, I would have given her the signal to swoop in. But I wasn’t wise. I’d never once in my life fit that lofty ideal and instead waved her off.

“Well,” Vander started, “I suppose for anything that offended you, but mostly, for belittling your request. I shouldn’t have judged you.”

“Damn straight,” I shouted, wings zipping back to life, allowing me to fly up and get in his face. “You had no right to demean me the way you did, to make me feel like…like…” I couldn’t say it, couldn’t admit just how much his words wounded me, how much I’d allowed them to wound me.

“I know, and again, I’m sorry.” Vander’s large hand cupped my chin, pulling me up at eye level. Goddess, those eyes… I’d never seen eyes with that many colors. Even in Dusk’s dim light, they were magnificent.

Before I could say anything, Vander continued. “What I’m not sorry about is my concern for what you’re doing. I’ll never apologize for that.” Releasing me, Vander inhaled deeply, closing his eyelids and covering all those glorious colors.

With him no longer holding my chin, my body dropped. My wings instinctively took over, slowing my descent.

“If you’re still interested, I’m willing to discuss your request.” Vander’s gaze shifted around the increasingly packed bar. “I suggest we go somewhere with fewer prying ears and less noise. I’m happy to head back to my shop, but that’s over an hour away.”

My head spun, and it was difficult to gather my wandering thoughts. Was he serious? Did he mean what I thought he did? I licked my dry lips. Vander’s eyes hungrily followed the movement. What little blood I had rushed south, depriving my brain of precious oxygen.

“Are you staying somewhere closer?” Vander asked, tone mind-numbingly smooth. Goddess, a pixie could get addicted to that voice.

I managed a nod. “I’m renting a house.”

“Just you or are the rest of the crew there too? If they are, I can whip up a silencing shield fairly quickly, just to be safe. My guess is not many know about what you’re doing.”

“They don’t,” I agreed.

I also noted that our conversation delved into territory I didn’t want anyone else to overhear. Even if it were only snips and pieces. A clever mind could do a lot of damage with very little information.

“Let me tell Divia I’m leaving.”

I didn’t wait for Vander’s answer. I flew off in my producer’s direction. She’d probably call me an idiot, but I needed this. If Vander Kines came through, I wouldn’t have to ask her for time off. I also wouldn’t have to risk further exposure to other warlocks. I couldn’t believe my turn in luck.

The anxiety I’d felt for the previous week lifted, replaced by cautious hope. Maybe just this once, things would work out for the better.

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