Page 50 of Perfectly Charmed Pixie

Parsnip laid his head on my shoulder, tucking in under my chin.

“I didn’t think so but wanted to make sure.” Byx shrugged. “I’m not really sure what else to do.”

“I’m not sure there is anything. Time, comfort, and warmth.” That was all I could think of.

“Don’t think I can really help with any of those things.” With a pat on my shoulder, Byx added, “Looks like it’s all on you, Van. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thanks, Byx.” I grabbed her hand, gently squeezing it to get her attention.

Byx’s round eyes met mine, quickly softening.

“We okay?”

“Yeah. We’re okay. I’m still not happy, but you and I’ll be fine. You don’t need to worry about me.” Byx inclined her head toward Parsnip. “You’ve got bigger fish to fry right now.”

I released Byx’s hand, and she walked out of my room, softly closing the door behind her.

Alone with Parsnip, I just kept running my fingers through his hair, rubbing small circles on his back. “I’ve got you. Talk to me when you can, okay?”

I got a mumbled response that I thought might be an affirmative but wasn’t sure. Byx had placed the hot chocolate within reaching distance, and I grabbed it, pressing the warm cup to Parsnip’s cool skin. He wasn’t as cold as he’d been when I’d first opened the door, but he was still chillier than was natural for a pixie.

“Can you drink a little of this for me?” I cajoled.

Shifting within my embrace, Parsnip moved just enough to grab the mug. Cradled within his hands, he slowly brought it to his lips and drank. The barest flutter of his wings let me know he appreciated the warmth and taste.

“It’s good. Thank you.” Parsnip lowered the mug, leaning back into me. His body shivered, and I pulled the blanket up farther. I also activated my heat charms.

“Can you lower your wings?” I wanted to wrap the blanket around his shoulders but couldn’t with his wings out.

It was alarming how quickly Parsnip’s wings dropped. Trying not to worry too much, I pulled the blanket around us and leaned back into the headboard. Parsnip’s body followed along. I took the remaining hot chocolate out of his hands before it spilled.

We stayed like that, Parsnip’s light weight nestled against my chest, his hair entwined within my fingers while I continued running my hand up and down his back, between his wings, and around his shoulders. Basically, anywhere I could reach. His shivering ebbed into minuscule muscle fasciculations, and soon, even those evened out.

“You’re so warm,” Parsnip mumbled, burrowing into my chest.

“That’s because I didn’t go traipsing around outside without shoes and a coat in less than thirty-degree weather.” I kept my tone light, aiming for levity.

Parsnip hummed a noncommittal response and went silent.

I waited a couple of minutes, but my curiosity and worry were burning a hole through my patience. Finally, I asked, “Can you talk about it?”

“Sleepy,” Parsnip answered, evidently still unwilling or unable to tell me what was wrong.

I didn’t argue. “Go ahead. I’ve got you. No one will hurt you here. Rest. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Within seconds, Parsnip’s breathing evened along with his heart rate. His body went slack, but he still desperately clung to me. It wasn’t the most comfortable position, and I’d have to activate more than a few pain charms in the morning. Even knowing that, I didn’t try to move him. I held Parsnip through the night and into the morning sun.

ChapterTwenty

Parsnip

I couldn’t remember ever feeling this warm. No, that wasn’t true. What I didn’t remember was feeling this safe. Not since I was a naïve child who thought tales of ogres were little more than ghost stories meant to scare silly pixies. Parsley had tried to make me feel safe again. He’d done the best he could, and to his credit, he’d partially succeeded. But nothing came close to this.

Vander.

His name eased through my mind, softening all my sharp edges and soothing the peaks of panic that wanted to rise into insurmountable mountains. Vander was here, lying beneath me. His firm chest rested below my head, the steady beat of his heart a soothing melody. My body rose and fell with every breath he took. My wings tried to flutter, but the heavy weight of a blanket stifled their movement, and I quickly quieted them.

I wanted to stay there, wrapped in Vander’s arms for the rest of eternity. My mind kept trying to think back on my phone call with Lance, but every time that warlock’s image popped into my brain, I replaced it with Vander’s hazel eyes.

---