Page 121 of Falling in Love with A Tiny Bat

“You understand that friendship means caring about someone, don’t you? It means being there for them, protecting them, and absolutelynotimposing your beliefs on them.”

“A state of mutual trust and support between allies, yes.”

“Sure. So you consider me a friend?”

“I do consider you a friend.”

“Fine.” I loosen my arms, and offer my hand. “Then, I consider you a friend, too. Please help Dani.”

He smiles at me, shifts his cup into his other hand, and reaches for mine. “I shall.”

“Also.”

His lip pouts. “There’s more?”

“I know about Pila.”

He hesitates. “Yes? Many do. She is a beacon of love. It is difficult for such a creature to exist without impacting everything around her.”

“That’s not what I mean. I mean that we talk. I know that she met your gaze and didn’t turn to stone.”

Castor’s fingers flinch in my grasp.

“Once I become fully fae, is there a combination of abilities that would allow me to take that power of hers and bestow its neutralizing properties on you, so you can choose when you turn someone to stone?”

His lips part as his arm goes limp. “You’d do that?”

“If it’s possible.”

He sits up, gripping my hand tighter. “People would still have to trust me, trust I wouldn’t betray them. Would it actually change anything?”

“Castor.”

“What?”

I lean forward. “Honey, even humans can kill each other. All I’m offering you is more control over that choice. If, of course, it’s even possible.”

A damp spot soaks into the corner of Castor’s blindfold. His jaw locks as his hand shakes around mine. “Sweet girl…” he whispers. “…you present the character of your King well. It has been lifetimes since anyone willingly granted me the gift of hope.” He bows his head. “You have my gratitude.” Wetting his lips, he contains himself. “And, soon, I hope you shall also have your friend.”

Chapter 31

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Therapy buffet.

“Am I being tortured?” Alexios asks.

“No?” With my arms around my baby sleeping in his wrap, I tilt my head. “Why would you ask that?”

He scans my kitchen table, and the island counter, and every other visible service. They are all covered in tiny paper plates. I bought them in bulk. At Costco. Then I went to Walmart and bought the opposite of bulk. Of roughly five hundred different things.

Alexios’s eyes narrow. “I’m asking on account of this being what I picture my nightmares to look like.”

I smile. “I’d be in your nightmares?”

“You live in my veins. No segment of my subconscious could escape your presence.”

“Somebody call Hallmark. Put that on a greeting card.” Pulling out a chair, I settle into a seat. “I got your food records from Pollux.”

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