Page 84 of Perfectly Charmed Pixie

“She’d not dead,” Parsnip answered, “but soon, I’ll bet she wishes she were.”

“The pixie isn’t wrong,” our fairy finally spoke again. “I can think of several species who will demand retribution. The ogres will be angered that she encouraged and provided someone with addiction access to pixie dust. The brownies will demand she be stripped of her abilities because she has more than shown a willingness to do harm with what her goddess gave her.”

“Don’t forget the witches,” Parsnip said.

“Fair bet is she murdered her previous coven leader,” I added.

“Indeed.” The fairy arched a single, silvery-lavender eyebrow. “That is a harsh charge, warlock.”

“It is, and what’s worse is that it’s true. If necessary, you can contact Mattie. She’s part of the local coven and can handle things with Letty Fox.”

“I will take your suggestion into consideration.”

“Great, now can we—”

Franny groaned and pushed herself up, standing and weaving slightly. Her eyes were glazed, skin clammy, and body trembling as she came down from her high. Those haunted, unfocused eyes lit up when she saw Parsnip.

“Pretty pixie.” Franny lunged.

Parsnip froze.

Our fairy went into immediate action. With a single tap on Franny’s forehead and the command, “Sleep,” Franny went down, crumpling into a snoring ogre-sized lump.

With a hand clasped over his heart, Parsnip’s wide gaze stared at the sleeping ogre. “H-how… How l-long…”

“How long will she sleep?” the fairy thankfully surmised.

Parsnip nodded.

“Long enough” was the only response we got.

“Okay. Can we get out of here now? I don’t want to be here when she wakes and—”

“Understandable. However, there is still the matter of the warlock and his broken oath.” The fairy calmly turned to me.

“Van?” Byx’s voice quivered. “What did you do?”

“No, no, no.” Parsnip jumped from the edge of the couch, leaning heavily on his left leg, his damaged wing hanging to the side. “I release Vander Kines from his oath.” Parsnip’s chin went up, head held high, and voice filled with arrogant authority.

“The oath was taken and bound by fairy law. It is not yours to rescind.” My judge made it sound like we were discussing the cold snap clinging to the area.

“Not mine?” Parsnip’s tone went up an octave. “Of course it is. I’m the one that made him take it.”

“You are, but the oath was not bound to you by law.” She turned to me. “No matter the circumstances, you broke your oath. The punishment is clear.”

“Van, what were you thinking?” This time, Byx’s tears were far from relieved. Her fists slammed into my chest, and I grabbed her wrists.

“Hey, none of that. I’m beat up enough, and you don’t have enough energy to waste on zapping me.”

Byx looked up, those large, brown eyes pleading. “You can’t do this, Van. You can’t let her take your warlock abilities. It’s not right, and you’ll…”

“I know.” I ran my hands through Byx’s hair, fingers finding her tipped ears and tracing their edge. “But I don’t regret it. Breaking my oath was the only way to save you and Parsnip. I wouldn’t go back and change a thing.”

Parsnip’s hushed “no” drew my gaze to him. “You can’t. Not for me.”

With Byx cradled in my arms, I couldn’t take my eyes off Parsnip. “Of course for you. I love you, Parsnip. My one and only.”

ChapterThirty

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