Page 45 of Perfectly Charmed Pixie

“I’m sorry, Byx.”

Her teeth snapped, echoing in the silent room. “But are you sorry enough, Van? That’s the true question.”

I swallowed hard, unsure if I knew exactly what Byx asked. “If I have a client that needs a charm quickly, that’s on a deadline, and I’ve agreed to the commission, then I can’t promise I won’t push myself, that I won’t go too far sometimes.”

For once, I couldn’t read Byx’s face. She closed down so far that the first niggle of fear pushed its way in.

“That’s not what I’m talking about, and I think you know it.”

I wasn’t sure about that. What I was fairly sure about was that I was afraid I knew.

“Maybe you should make it clear.” Assuming things generally got me into trouble, and I wanted to be crystal regarding what Byx knew.

Her foot-tapping stopped. A smoldering glow lit her eyes, turning their deep brown into burnished umber. “How much of your life span did you give up?”

My throat went from parched to arid. I sat there, contemplating my answer. I could lie, but Byx would know. Plus, I hated lying to her. Byx deserved the truth, even if it hurt us both.

“I’m not sure.” When Byx’s face scrunched up, ready to protest, I held up a halting hand. “I’m not trying to fool you. I honestly don’t know for certain. A few days at least, a week at the most.”

Byx’s eyes briefly flared before losing their underlying glow. “And you plan to do it again.” It was more an accusation than a question.

“I do,” I answered with a slow nod. “Although, I think I can tweak the charm so it doesn’t take so much. I probably went a bit overboard on this one, trying to get it perfect.” I’d need to mull it over, but I thought there would be a way to decrease the strain on my life force.

“And now?” Byx’s tone went from accusing to softly worried. “Is the charm still draining you?”

Again, I could have lied, but I didn’t. “It is. Although not as bad as last night. I think when Parsnip activated it, the impact was worse because I was already drained. I can plan better, make sure I’m well rested before he activates the next one.”

“And the one after that, and the next… When does it end?”

I shrugged, slumping into myself. “I don’t know. Maybe never. I suppose that depends on Parsnip.”

Byx remained standing just inside my bedroom door, eyebrows scrunched. She appeared contemplative. “Is he dying?”

“No,” I easily answered, although I wondered if Parsnip thought his true appearance would be just as devastating. Social pixies gained power through the adoration of others, so maybe he wasn’t as wrong as I wanted to believe.

“Then what could be that important that you’d do something like that? Giving up your life force.” Byx shook her head, tossing her chestnut hair this way and that. She’d forgone hair clips today. “I know you can’t tell me much, but…” Desperation licked the edges of those words.

“Come here.” I patted the mattress.

Byx didn’t comply immediately, but eventually, she pushed away from the doorframe and made her way over. When she sat, it was with a good foot distance between us.

Shifting so I could see her better, I grabbed her hands. They looked tiny, her deep brown contrasting my lighter shades.

“I know you’re worried. Truth is, I’m worried too. But you’ve gotta understand. Parsnip is my one and only. I know that’s hard for you to grasp. It’s not easy for me either. Not every warlock finds their one. Despite what your mamma said, I figured I’d always be one of those. I was content with that. You know why?”

Byx shook her head, gaze downcast and fixed on our locked hands.

“Because of you. There are a lot of ways to find love and fulfillment. I never figured I’d have any children, and then your mamma blessed me with you. Genetics don’t matter much to me. You’re not mine by birth, but you are in every other way, and that’s what matters. Georgiana knew that.”

“Mamma knew a lot of things.”

“She did,” I easily agreed. “She knew I needed you just as much as you needed someone.”

Byx stared off to the side, shoulders slumped. “But you don’t need me anymore. You’ve met your one and only.”

“Silly Byx.” I bopped her on the nose and nearly got zapped in retaliation. “I’ll always need you. No matter what happens with Parsnip, that will never change. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”

“Idiot.” Byx got a tiny zap in, just enough to make me jump.

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