Page 18 of Crown of Wings and Whispers

6

Mind The Waterfall

Istood at the top of the waterfall and listened for Griffon’s voice, but the sound of the water drowned out any noise from lower in the house. I ended up pacing for almost an hour before he came looking for me, all smiles and innocence.

“I didn’t want to wake you,” he began, then trailed off when he read my expression. “What is it?”

“They stole my clothes.” I held out my arms to show off my nightwear. “I couldn’t go downstairs like this, could I?”

“Who stole your clothes? Not my…family.”

I grunted. “No. It wasn’t Archer. In fact, he was very sweet last night—” I bit my lips together when I realized how that sounded. “Four women. They call themselves—”

“The Queevnastole your clothes?” He looked doubtful.

“They said they were helping out.”

He shrugged. “Most likely they were, but they have no sense of time passing. I’m sure your clothes will be returned as soon as they realize the sun is up. Wait here.” He left me for only a minute or two and returned with a pile of primarily purple clothes. “There is a jogging suit among other things. Might be a tad large, but at least Archer won’t be able to see your figure.”

He tossed the pile of clothes on the bed and grabbed me, pulled me against him, and kissed me senseless. When I finally had a chance to catch my breath, I sighed dramatically and said, “Archer who?”

Griffon growled and swatted my butt, then he left me again. My mood was much improved when I entered the kitchen a few minutes later. Griffon handed me a cup of coffee and pointed to the dining room. I found Bridie sitting at the table picking at her breakfast. Across from her, a full plate waited for me.

“Oh, there ye are, dear. Griffon told me those fairies hid yer clothes. I’m sorry to hear it.”

“It’s okay. He brought me these.” I showed her the gray sweatpants and hoodie, then took my seat. “I’m sorry if you waited for me.”

She handed her plate off to Griffon, who took it into the kitchen. “I mean to send the lads out to deliver invitations to some folk I’d forgotten. Ye won’t mind helpin’ me in the kitchen again t’dee?”

“Not at all.”

“If we’re lucky, those fairies will arrive with yer things and we’ll have more help.”

And I could pull them aside and ask some questions.

After breakfast, I followed a bare-chested Griffon out to the porch and told him aboutThe Queevnaknowing my secret, probably because one of them saw me talking to Daphne’s pet rocks. He didn’t look happy about it. When I started to explain about the bookmarks, he stopped me.

“We’ll save that for tomorrow’s conversation.”

“But they have all kinds of answers. We should ask them while we can.”

“Yes, well, we’ll have to think of a way. After the wake is over and the guests have all gone. Stay on their good side if you can.”

“You mean don’t bite their heads off for stealing my clothes?”

“Exactly.”

“Deal. If you kiss me again.”

Archer announced his arrival on the porch with a heartfelt groan, then turned his back to us. Griffon rolled his eyes, stepped away from me, then reached around his brother’s neck and grabbed him under the arm. I’d never seen his wings appear out of nowhere before, and I gasped. It was like watching bronze flowers bloom with a time lapse camera, full blown in only seconds. My mouth was still hanging open when the two of them shot into the sky.

“I really don’t belong in this world,” I muttered.

Bridie came to stand beside me and squeezed my arm. “But ye’ll suffer through it, I reckon, to be with my laddie.”

I took a deep breath and nodded. I couldn’t imagine choosing anything over him.

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