Page 46 of Perfectly Charmed Pixie

I rubbed my arm, putting a little extra drama into it. Byx could have zapped me much harder. In our world, it was more of a love tap.

Chewing on her bottom lip, Byx glanced at the door before returning her gaze to her hands. Her eyes flicked up to me briefly before landing back on her fingers. I had a sneaking suspicion I wouldn’t like whatever her brain was cooking up. I wish I’d been wrong.

“I was thinking—”

“Never a good sign.”

This time, I was prepared and dodged just in time to miss Byx’s electrified finger. She huffed but didn’t try again.

“Can you stop being sarcastic for half a minute and let me get this out?”

“No guarantees, but I’ll try.”

“Goddess,” Byx rolled her big, brown eyes, “and you’re the one who’s supposed to be the adult.”

Considering I couldn’t argue the point, I sat there, waiting to hear what Byx was cooking up in her brain.

“I may not understand exactly what Parsnip means to you, but I know I would have done anything to help Mamma, so that’s how I’m going to think of it. I know it’s not the same kind of love, but I figure both of them fit into the same category where selflessness is concerned.”

I remained quiet, patiently listening. Byx’s logic seemed sound so far.

“So…I was thinking about it today and figured that would be your answer, that you’d do whatever you needed to do to help Parsnip out. That means you’ll keep draining your life force. I can’t help with that, but I might be able to help with the constant magical draining while the charm is activated. We could try to—”

“No.” I stood, pacing the floor. “Absolutely not.”

“You don’t even know what I’m going to say.” Byx hopped up too, standing beside the bed, fisted hands planted on her hips.

“Oh, I think I do.”

Byx crossed her arms, chin up. If she’d been a little taller and had wings, I would have accused her of being Parsnip. “It could help, and it’s my magical energy. I should be able to do whatever I want with it.”

I shook my head while slashing my hands through the air. “Never going to happen, kiddo. That reservoir is meant for you, and I will not steal even an ounce of your magic.”

Byx stomped her foot. “It’s not stealing if I’m offering.”

“Semantics. I’m not taking it, and that’s final. My decisions are my own, and I’ll suffer their consequences. This isn’t up for debate.”

Stomping up to me, Byx pushed a finger into my chest. She had to reach up to do it and didn’t add any magical oomph to it. The pressure was enough.

“Your decision affects me too, Van. Don’t add self-righteous indignation to your growing list of questionable life decisions.”

“Questionable life decisions? I…” Whatever I was going to say slipped from my lips and would have fallen on deaf ears anyway.

Byx stomped away. It was amazing how much angry noise a three-foot, five-inch brownie could make when they were well and truly pissed.

“Way to go, Vander.” My temples pounded as last night’s headache made an unwelcome return.

With a weighty sigh, I headed back to my bed, sitting on the edge and grabbing my phone. I typed out a quick message, reassuring Parsnip that I’d gotten home safe and sound and apologizing for not answering sooner. With that accomplished, I flopped back on my mattress and stared at the ceiling. I needed to get up and shower. Food was also a necessity. I didn’t do either. I lay there in my own funk, contemplating how I’d get Byx to forgive me. I understood where she was coming from, and I appreciated her generosity. That didn’t change the fact that I absolutely refused to siphon off the tiniest amount of magical energy she’d stored. That energy was for one purpose and one purpose only. If it sat there, unused and useless for all eternity, I’d count it a win.

Hope for the best but prepare for the worst. It was a good motto and one I intended to heed, especially when it came to Byx’s life.

ChapterEighteen

Parsnip

Home safe and sound. Sorry, slept all day and just got up.

I stared at that simple text, the fear I’d carried all day finally washing away. I’d thought about calling Vander a million times and put my phone away just as many. I didn’t want him to think I was a creepy stalker or needy. I didn’t think I was a stalker, but I wasn’t so certain about the needy part. I hadn’t been able to get Vander Kines off my mind all day.

---