Page 90 of Perfectly Charmed Pixie

Byx nodded aggressively. “You’re going to have the best damn hair clips in the world, and every pixie will be envious.”

Thankfully, Byx left the room before Parsnip’s smile wilted. I knew what was on his mind.

“When are you recording the big reveal?” I asked while rubbing circles along his back, soothing his wing muscles.

“The end of the week. Divia thinks it’s better to do it sooner rather than later. I spoke with Peaches and Lucroy. They’re okay with the idea.”

When Parsnip revealed his true colors, Divia had been understandably confused. She recovered quickly, becoming all business. She’d called the producers ofInterspecies Habitat, and they’d been trying to knock out a plan ever since. Parsnip had gotten some blowback regarding his deception. I got the feeling there’d been a lot more fury than we knew about. Divia was an unmoving wall, and thankfully, she was on Parsnip’s side. She was also a great filter.

“Peaches doesn’t strike me as an attention-seeking pixie.”

“No,” Parsnip agreed. “He really doesn’t care that my reveal will steal the thunder from his home’s episode.” Parsnip sucked on his bottom lip, enticingly plumping it. “It’s nice to be around pixies like Peaches and Phil. They remind me of Parsley.”

I’d yet to meet Parsnip’s brother, but I’d gotten to speak with him on the phone. Parsley had been beside himself, and it had taken a lot of cajoling on Parsnip’s part to keep his brother in Washington State. He still had an ogre-traumatized pixie under his roof, and Parsnip didn’t want to take his brother away from her. I’d gotten on the phone and convinced Parsley that Parsnip wasn’t alone. When Parsley learned his brother had bonded to me, everything changed, and he became very agreeable.

I’d come to appreciate Peaches and Phil. Both had stopped by, together and separately. Sedrick accompanied Phil. Lucroy hadn’t been by Peaches’s side, but he’d called—twice—to ask if there was anything Parsnip and I needed. I wasn’t certain how we’d gotten on the vampire king’s good side, but I wasn’t about to complain. Friends like Lucroy Moony came in handy more often than not.

Parsnip leaned into my touch, pleasantly humming. “That feels wonderful.”

“I’m glad. I want to make you feel good.” I wasn’t lying even a little bit.

Life was funny and more than a little amazing. My world had been turned upside down and spun in a completely different direction. I had two goals in life—making Parsnip deliriously happy and taking care of Byx. As long as I succeeded in those two areas, nothing else mattered.

We sat there, enjoying the silence late morning brought.

Leaning into me, Parsnip rested his head on my chest, and I wrapped my arms around him, pulling my one and only tighter against my body. “You think I’m making a mistake?” Parsnip asked, tone soft.

“About revealing your true colors?”

“Mm-hmm. That and not outing Letty.”

I didn’t need to think about my response. “No to both. You’re beautiful. I’m not saying it will be easy, and there will undoubtedly be backlash, but we’ll handle it. Together. As for Letty, I agree. She craved attention, and the most suitable punishment for her is not to give it. Letty wanted to be a star, she wanted to be a media sensation, and she didn’t care how. Well, now she’s nothing. She’ll fade into obscurity.”

Parsnip and I’d discussed it at length, and then we’d spoken with Ray. He’d agreed with our request not to release her name. He’d also petitioned to have her blog site taken down. There wouldn’t be a mention as to why. There would simply be silence, and Letty would pass from memory in that silence. All her efforts would be for nothing. She would gain nothing. No one would know her name. No one would care that Letty Fox had ever existed.

Parsnip, Byx, and I would know. Despite our best efforts, we’d always remember. Most likely, Franny would too. I wasn’t certain how much the ogre would remember from her dust-induced haze. Regardless, she was in a recovery center now. Time would tell if she’d get better. Franny would always be addicted, and she’d have to deal with that addiction all her life.

“Thanks, Vander.” Parsnip snuggled closer, and his wings fluttered, the damaged wing just a hint behind its healthier twin.

“Anytime. Do you want me to be there the day of filming?”

“Do you mind? I hate to ask but—”

“You didn’t ask. I offered. And no, I don’t mind. If it were up to me, you’d never leave my sight.” I kissed the crown of Parsnip’s head.

He inhaled, letting the breath loose by slow degrees. “Do you think you’ll be well enough to form a warlock bond with me before the taping? I know it’s a big ask, but I’d like to have that.”

“If you want it, then we’ll make it happen.” That was an ongoing mantra where Parsnip was concerned.

“I don’t want you to do it if you’re still too drained. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t. I should be better by then, and we’ll make it official on my end and yours.”

I’d never dreamed a pixie would bond with me. It was something on the edge of my awareness, a warm tingle that echoed through my magical channels. It had become a constant hum, a rhythm that always played my favorite tune.

Parsnip squeezed me. “I can’t wait.”

“Me either.” I wasn’t sure I could will my body back to full health, but if possible, I’d find a way to do it.

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