Page 25 of Perfectly Charmed Pixie

ChapterTen

Vander

The house Parsnip rented was nice. It was a two-bedroom bungalow style that seemed to fit him. I wasn’t sure what he was doing with the second bedroom and didn’t ask. What did I care who slept in another bed? As long as they weren’t sharing sheets with Parsnip, there wasn’t a problem.

“Come in,” Parsnip offered, holding the door open.

His dust floated around me. I should have been in a sneezing fit, but I wasn’t. I had no idea why. Staring down at Georgiana’s continuously glowing ring, I wondered if it had something to do with that. I could take it off and test out the theory, but I didn’t want to. Despite the problems it was causing, the ring was a present from Georgiana. It hadn’t left my finger since she’d slid it on while lying on her death bed. I couldn’t imagine willingly removing it now.

Parsnip flew, his wings a rapid beat. It was a common pixie trait—one that reared its head when they were nervous. Despite efforts to hide it, Parsnip definitely seemed nervous.

“Would you like something to drink? I’m afraid I’m not sure what warlocks typically like. Besides, I’ve got water, and that’s about it. I wasn’t exactly expecting company, and I think it’s pretty obvious I’m not a home-and-hearth pixie. If Parsley were here, he’d be beside himself with humiliation.”

“Parsley?” My hackles rose.

“My brother,” Parsnip casually dismissed, having zero idea how relieved I was to know I wouldn’t have to fight another for Parsnip’s affections.

Then again, did I really know that?

Without putting much thought into it, I asked, “No significant other?”

Parsnip’s fidgeting stopped abruptly. Whirling, his mouth parted in surprise before twisting with irritation. Face flushed and fisted hands on his hips, he huffed, “That’s none of your business.”

I let it go. For now. Parsnip didn’t know it was very much my business. Besides, his reaction made it obvious I didn’t have any immediate competition.

Hands up, palms out, I said, “Noted. Apologies.”

With cheeks puffed out, Parsnip blew out a gust of air before he said, “I’ll bet you have to apologize a lot.”

“Sounds like you’ve been talking with Byx.” I imagined her giggles when she heard what Parsnip said.

“The brownie at the shop?”

“The one and only,” I easily answered. “Trust me, Byx puts me in my place plenty.”

“Good.” Parsnip gave a firm nod. “It’s clear someone needs to.”

I grinned, thinking how funny Georgiana would find this conversation. “Indeed.” Still in what I figured passed for the living room, I noted the backless chair and said, “Would you like to sit and discuss things or would you prefer to stay aloft? I know flying sometimes puts pixies at ease.” It was calledpixie pacing. They’d fly back and forth in rapid succession.

Twisting his shirt fabric, Parsnip stared at the chair for a good twenty seconds before he said, “I’ll sit.”

I was tired and more relieved than I wanted to admit. Sitting sounded like a great idea. It might also help conceal my thickening shaft.

Weighted silence suffocated the small living room. Parsnip kept fidgeting with his shirt, and I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off the action. I soaked in every detail, no matter how small. There was elegant beauty in every one of Parsnip’s movements. I wondered if that was the obfuscation. Or was it something else? Did the true Parsnip look anything like the gorgeous creature sitting not ten feet away?

Curiosity can be a good thing. It can also muddle your mind and spike your anxiety. Right now, that’s exactly what my curiosity did. My mind managed to twist Parsnip’s body into all sorts of deformed entities, inviting the question, would I still be attracted to him if he weren’t so easy on the eyes?

The fact that I didn’t know made me feel like a vain piece of shit. Maybe I really shouldn’t have judged Parsnip so harshly.

“Can you—”

“So, what—”

We both spoke at the same time.

Scrubbing my bristly cheek, I waved Parsnip on. “Why don’t you go first?”

He looked hesitant but finally said, “Can you really do it? Make my charm?”

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