Page 27 of Of Pixies and Promises
“Don’t thank me yet,” Juniper said and addressed the group. “I will do my best to retain the crown for a further year. We will give Nyra and her human mate a chance to explore whattheir partnership means. If this is truly the Well’s wish, then Sid will survive the grueling first year.” She touched her daughter’s cheek. “I know that feverish look in your eyes, daughter. He will need to prove his worth before becoming the consort to a queen.”
“He is strong, in both heart and body.”
“Time will tell.” Juniper’s hand dropped, and a sad look entered her eyes. “Go on. Enjoy your mate.”
Nyra couldn’t help feeling her mother had left words unsaid. Enjoy your mate…while you can.Shoving it down, she turned, intending to walk out of the hollow and release Sid from the cage but was stopped by the sound of her mother’s gasp.
It was wrong.Pained.
Nyra turned back and found her mother doubled over, her skin pale, a sheen of sweat dappling her upper lip. She ran to her mother’s side. “What is it?”
Juniper’s glassy gaze met hers. “It’s the gully. It’s in pain again. I think… I think…”
A soldier ran in, his wings fluttering to give him speed. He skidded to a halt before them, a panicked expression on his face. “They’re back. The raiders are back. This time, they have more weapons.”
“No,” Nyra breathed, freezing at the memory of having one of those metal, magic-cutting weapons pointed her way.
Robin glared at her and furiously spat, “Your human lied. And your mother doesn’t have it in her to keep the gully safe.”
But he promised he would never lie.
“Sid?” Nyra cried, running out of the hollow. “Is it true?”
But the cage was open, and Moss stood beside it wearing an unreadable expression.
Once, as childhood sweethearts, they used to share everything. He was Robin’s son and part of the inner royal circle. She’d been encouraged to play with him. He grew intoadulthood as a handsome, strong, and capable warrior. And with his easygoing demeanor, comforting smile, and warm green eyes, how could she not fall for him? They became inseparable. Everyone assumed he would be the first pixie her wings dusted. But it never happened. Eventually, he grew embarrassed, resentful, and ashamed at her obvious rejection.
He was bitter over it, but she didn’t think he’d resort to this—her gaze snapped to the empty cage. Whateverthiswas. With her heart thumping in her chest, she asked him, slow and steady, so her fear didn’t show, “Where is he?”
Moss raised a brow, and he shrugged. “He made his own choice.”
To leave? To run back to his people? To betray her?
No.
She shook her head.
He wouldn’t do that.
“Who shifted him to full size?” she asked.
Guilt glittered in his eyes.
“You did,” she accused, pointing at him. “What did you say to him?”
Moss’s deep voice softened, and for a moment, Nyra believed he had her best interest at heart. “All I did was give him the opportunity. He’s the one who asked me to take him back to the lake.”
She gasped. “The ceremonial lake?”
Colt arrived at Nyra’s shoulder. “I have to alert the Order.”
But whether it was for the invasion or because a human dared to initiate in the lake, Nyra didn’t get the chance to ask. Colt’s rainbow wings became a blur, and she left.
Moss’s gaze narrowed on Nyra. “I didn’t do anything but give him what he wanted—a chance to be with his mate.” Pain flashed in his eyes. “If you had chosen me, I would doanythingto keep you. I can’t blame him for wanting that.”
“He…” She couldn’t voice it.
“He’s gone to face the Well-Worms.”
