Page 13 of Promises and Pixie Dust

He let out a short burst of air, one I would have called a laugh from someone else.

“As for Pepper, she just wanted to meet me.” I quirked an eyebrow and placed my hands on my hips as I studied the two of them. “And since when do you havepets?” I used the word he hated so much.

Pets shouldn’t be a thing, according to him. He had always had a soft spot for animals. Even as a kid, he would take them in, bandaging them, stitching them up, helping them when he could. He was even the reason that I’d met Maggie. But he’d never kept one before.

“She’s not a— You know what, it doesn’t matter. I don’t know why I bother trying to argue with you when I’d have better luck with the mule.”

I shrugged, because I didn’t know why either.

“You worry too much. We’ll all be fast friends, you’ll see.” I beamed up at them.

The ringing of bells alerted us that Vale had opened the door again. He silently glanced back and forth between Edrich and me for a moment before speaking.

“Are you going to be all right, Lina?” He ran his fingers through his thick, black waves. “You know I’d be willing to come with you, if you needed a friend.”

I couldn’t help but glow a little at his offer. Smiling, I opened my mouth to respond, but was cut off by an annoyed Edrich.

“She’ll be fine. She has all the company she needs.”

An uncomfortable look crossed Vale’s features before he looked back down at me.

“Lina?” Ignoring Edrich, Vale crouched so he was only a few feet taller than me, instead of the usual six.

“I’ll be fine, Vale,” I said, moving closer so I could squeeze his hand.

He took a deep breath, as if he was trying to decide whether or not I meant it.

“Vale, I promise. But thank you,” I assured him.

“If you insist,” he said, pressing his lips together in a tight line. He gently brushed a fingertip along my cheek, and I leaned into his touch.

I didn’t miss the way Edrich shifted uncomfortably behind me.

“Well, at least take these for the journey.” Vale handed me a small package—small enough to fit into Maggie’s bags—before reluctantly handing Edrich a larger one.

The smell of cookies and warm bread permeated the air around me, and I was practically drooling as I packed mine away.

“Thank you for always being so thoughtful.” I smiled up at him.

Vale inclined his head toward me before standing and giving Edrich an awkward goodbye.

He promised to return Chester to the farm, and even to check in on Stephen and the Adlers while I was away. The hesitant smile he sent my way before closing the doors to The Poisoned Apple behind him was enough to bolster my confidence. If Vale wasn’t trying to talk me out of this, then he believed in me.That was all the encouragement I needed.

Edrich pointedly cleared his throat behind me, and I spun around.

“So, does this mean you’re coming with me?” I grinned, wildly.

He gave a long suffering sigh. “Looks that way.”

“You won’t regret it,” I said, though it wasn’t a promise I should’ve made. Then, coaxing Magnolia out of her ball, I beckoned her to me. “Come on, girl. It’s time to go.”

Climbing onto Maggie’s saddle, I set off toward the forest with Edrich and Pepper at my side.

8

Edrich

Enchanted Forest was a pretty name for people who saw interesting, beautiful things and thought they were magical… people who never had to look long enough to see that those things were more likely to kill you than to “enchant” you.

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