Page 87 of Perfectly Charmed Pixie

“I believe you. And I suspect we will need to go to him, not the other way around.”

Vander gave a slow nod. “Okay. I don’t see a problem with that. I’d like to nail that fucker too.”

“That is good to hear. Second—”

“There’s more?” Byx asked, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Unfortunately,” Ray answered, and I truly believed he meant that. “It seems there is a bit of a…situation that our fairy queen has asked for my assistance with.”

Shit.I audibly gulped. The fairy queen was as much myth as fact. No one had seen her since fairy law had come into power and they’d basically taken over running the Earth. Some wondered if she was still alive, and speculation ran rampant regarding her seclusion. And here I was, standing next to a fairy that had direct contact with her.

“Yes?” Vander prompted.

I didn’t know if he was already agreeing or simply trying to get more information from Ray.

“It is a delicate matter, one that will require strict confidence and a talented warlock.”

Vander gave a slow nod. “I’m sure you could find a more talented warlock than me. I’m not saying that to put myself down or dodge the issue, just stating the truth.”

“And that is appreciated. However, I believe you’ll do.”

Vander and I shared an equally confused glance.

“We’ll discuss the issue further once you’ve healed. Time is an issue, but currently, it is not a pressing matter.”

“Okay,” Vander agreed, despite knowing precious few details.

“Excellent. Now”—Ray’s gaze swept the room again—“I have a few calls to make. The first of which will be seeing if we can get you three out of this foul-smelling room and back into the world. Do you require a hospital or do you wish me to contact a healer?”

Vander looked at me. “Is your wing broken?”

I shook my head. “I don’t think so, just damaged. A talented healer should be fine.”

“Good. I don’t want to drag you to a hospital if we don’t have to. Given enough time, I should be able to make your charm again. You’ll be back to your old self soon, and if Letty didn’t live stream what happened today, then no one needs to know.”

I ran my hand down the undamaged side of Vander’s face. “You know. I don’t think I care anymore.” When his eyes flew wide, I shrugged. “This is me. It’s the me I am now, and I’m not ashamed anymore. As long as you don’t mind…as long as you still love me, then my colors don’t matter.”

Vander’s warm grin and adoring eyes filled my heart, and my chest swelled to near bursting. “You are the loveliest creature I have ever laid eyes upon. In here”—Vander poked a finger over my heart—“and the packaging that incredible soul is wrapped within is perfect—no matter the color.”

“He’s right,” Byx readily agreed. “It may not be how you were born, but the gray tones are really sophisticated and accent the hint of aqua.”

“Thank you, I… Wait, all my aqua faded during my capture.”

Byx cocked her head to the side. “Not all of it. Or if it did, then some of the color came back.”

I frantically pulled my hair over my shoulder, skimming my fingers through the shades of gray, only to discover that Byx was right. There wasn’t much of it, just enough strands to stand out.

“Oh.” My breath caught, and tears gathered in the corners of my eyes. Blinking away the moisture, I asked, “Is this your doing, Vander?” I wasn’t sure how it could be, but I didn’t have another explanation.

“Not me. That’s all you.”

“Oh.” I sucked in another breath, throat catching and ending in an inelegant coughing fit.

“There’s some aqua on your wings too,” Byx said, a soft smile and playful joy lighting up her deep brown eyes.

I tried twisting but couldn’t manage it, and moving my damaged wing too much hurt. I’d have to wait until I had a mirror to get a better look.

“Transportation is on the way, courtesy of King Moony,” Ray’s smooth voice interrupted my surreal moment.

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