Page 49 of Perfectly Charmed Pixie

There were drugs for that, but I firmly turned from that path.

I made another sandwich, piling it high with veggies and protein. I felt a lot better this evening than yesterday, but I wanted to keep that up. I had orders to fill that had nothing to do with Parsnip, and I’d need to get back to business tomorrow. I’d paid last month’s rent, but the next one would approach faster than I wanted.

Banging on the front door halted my hands, my sandwich just out of reach. Leaning back on my stool, I stared down the hall, as if I could see who was at the front door. I’d been hanging in the back of the shop, trying to give Byx more space upstairs. She’d only come out of her room to eat and use the restroom. But I wanted her to feel comfortable if she needed to do that again.

The banging stopped, and I thought whoever it was had figured out the shop was closed. I started to take a bite again, but as I raised my hand, a brilliant, scarlet glow caught my attention.

“Son of a…” I set my sandwich down and headed for the front door. Just as I’d thought, a shivering pixie stood on the other side.

“What in Gaia’s name are you doing out there?” I shut and locked the door after pulling Parsnip inside. “It’s freezing, and you don’t even have your boots on.” I was glad to see he’d thrown his shawl over his shoulders, but that hardly seemed enough. Flurries fluttered by, catching the outdoor light here and there.

“I forgot them.” Parsnip sounded forlorn, almost like he wasn’t even certain where he was or what the weather was like outside.

“Forgot them?” I vigorously rubbed up and down his arms, trying to get some warmth back into him. As I rubbed, I heard a noise in the background and turned just enough to see Byx come through the curtain separating the front from the back.

“I heard a sound,” Byx said, her gaze glancing between me and Parsnip. There was no animosity there, and I was grateful. I hadn’t been certain how Byx would treat Parsnip when she saw him again. I wouldn’t have blamed her if she’d been unkind. I wouldn’t have liked it and we would have words, but I wouldn’t have been angry.

“What’s going on?” Byx moved into the room, a note of concern lacing her voice. “Is he okay?”

“I’m not sure yet.” I took a minute to check how Parsnip looked and couldn’t see a problem with the charm. It appeared to be working, and Parsnip still looked as he wanted. I felt along the magical lines of the charm and couldn’t sense a problem there either.

“What can I do?” Byx asked. I wished I had an answer. Considering I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, I hardly knew what to say.

“Maybe some hot chocolate or tea?” That sounded benign enough and might warm Parsnip. “Do you have a preference?” I didn’t know Parsnip well enough to know, and that grated. He was my one and only. I should know things like that.

“Hot chocolate. If it’s not too much bother.” I didn’t like how timid Parsnip sounded.

“Got it,” Byx readily agreed. “You want me to bring it down here or are you taking him upstairs?”

When Parsnip swayed toward me, my decision was easy. “Upstairs. My bedroom.”

“Got it.” Byx didn’t argue or give me grief. She was all business.

“Come on. Let’s get you upstairs and under the covers. I need to warm you up.”

Parsnip didn’t complain. He leaned into me. Leaning over, I wrapped my arms around him. With a little hop, Parsnip entwined his legs around my waist, clinging like an octopus.

“Easy,” I soothed. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.” Cupping his ass and careful of his wings, I carried Parsnip up the stairs and to my room. I was grateful I’d washed my sheets. I’d just finished making the bed when I decided another sandwich was a good idea.

Parsnip’s answer was to cling tighter. We easily made it into my room.

Byx met me there.

“Water’s heating in the microwave. I thought you could use some help getting him under the covers.” Byx was as good as her word and pulled down the covers so I could settle Parsnip underneath. Only, he wouldn’t let go and pulled me with him. Pixies could be hella strong when they wanted.

“Guess I’m staying put.” I offered Byx an apologetic grin.

“I’ll grab an extra blanket. The water should be ready soon and—” The microwave beeped, and Byx took off.

“Please don’t let me go.” Parsnip’s voice was barely audible. “Please.”

That word, along with the pleading tone, broke my heart. “Never.” I ran my fingers through his hair. It was just as soft as I’d imagined, and that was all Parsnip. I hadn’t added that to his charm.

“Got it.” Byx ran into the room, steaming hot chocolate in hand. “You might want to let it cool for a minute or two. I’ve got an extra blanket too.”

Soon enough, we were both covered. Byx’s tiny hands tucked us in. Her eyes glowed as she stared at Parsnip, analyzing him. Hands raised, palms out, she read through his vitals. Lips pulling into a frown, she said, “I’m not sure, Van. His core body temperature is low, but we already knew that. I can’t sense anything else beyond a lot of stress. I’m not sure if your charm is interfering with my reading or not.”

“It shouldn’t.”

---