Page 25 of Of Pixies and Promises
“Nyra,” he blurted, his eyes full of betrayal.
“It wasn’t personal, Moss. I didn’t do it to hurt you.”
Moss and Nyra had a history. Grimy jealously clawed at Sid, and he wanted to pluck the soldier’s wings from his body, but he had to remind himself that Nyra was his. Despite whatever had passed between those two, it had never been as perfect as what he shared with her.
“It won’t last,” Moss warned, then glanced at the queen, who sighed.
“He’s right, Nyra. There is a reason pixies need a harem. One isn’t enough, and none is a death sentence.”
“Maybe not,” Nyra said, still holding to her resolve. “Right, Colt? Otherwise, why would the Well give him to me?”
The rainbow pixie shrugged. “I mean… we won’t know unless you break him.” Her gaze turned grave. “But if that happens, there will be nothing left of him. Can you live with that?”
Break me?Sid’s brows lifted.
“I can’t turn back time,” Nyra whispered. “I can’t reverse what happened. I had no choice.”
Moss stepped forward, a fierce look in his eyes. “You had choices, Nyra. They just weren’t good enough for you. And that you chose a fae-killing monster over your own kind means you’re not fit to lead these people.”
“How dare you.” She stormed up to him and slapped him in the face. “It was me who went to where they raided. Me who blew up their machine. All me. Not a single one of you was brave enough?—”
“Or stupid enough,” Moss snapped, barely flinching at the slap.
“—to face that danger.”
They all glanced at Sid. The aristocrat raised his voice and said, “But is the danger gone?”
“Yes,” Nyra replied instantly. “He said they won’t return.”
Fuck.Sid looked away. He should say something now before it was too late. It would give them a chance to prepare or call the Order.
“And you trust a creature that lies as he breathes?”
Nyra opened her mouth and then closed it.
As Moss stormed out of the hollow, he gave Sid an unreadable look and hit the cage with his shoulder, sending it swinging. Then his tarnished wings vibrated, and he took off with a buzz that sounded more like the roaring ocean than flying wings.
That single action.
That airborne flight.
It proved Sid had no right to be there, despite what Nyra said in his defense. He would never fly, and they lived at this small size. He would never be able to shift at will, to enter and leave their home as that soldier had done. Even if he could instill trust in these people, doubt would always be behind their eyes.
He was human.
He could lie.
And he had.
He sank back on his haunches and leaned against the bars in defeat. The bars moved. Sid frowned and glanced over his shoulder. When Moss had knocked into the cage, he must have inadvertently opened the gate.
Chapter
Eleven
Nyra lowered to her knees before her mother.
“Mother,” she pleaded. “I don’t know how or why, but I feel this is right in my heart. The Well gave him to me. We may not be Well-blessed, but we’re something.”
