Finding Faerie (Pixie Dust Chronicles 3)

I shrugged. “Don’t know…I was too irritated at the time to ask.”

He contemplated that for a moment. “Was Vance in the room when she made her little announcement?”

“Yep. As you can imagine, that didn’t go over so well.”

“What did he say?”

“Nothing…he just walked out and I haven’t seen him since. I could feel his emotions though. It wasn’t pretty.”

He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “How are you feeling? With everything being out in the open now?”

I bit my lip. “Honestly? I’m sorry it happened the way it did. I wish I had better control over the situation so I could…soften the blow. I’m not sorry that he knows though. I don’t want to hurt him—I never wanted to hurt him—you know that. But I also think leading him to believe in the possibility of reconciliation is even worse. At least now he can move on.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

“I have to be.”

He frowned, obviously not satisfied with my answer. “What else happened? After Vance left?”

I recapped my discussion with Ornessa about my mother’s visions and my agreement to work with Ty until Winter Solstice.

“So you’re staying for the next three months?”

“Looks that way,” I sighed. “I don’t think I really have much of a choice.”

“You think she’d hold you here against your will?”

“No, not at all.” I took a moment to choose my words carefully. “After speaking with her, I think I actually want to stay. She made some valid points. This is my best chance at figuring out how to control my powers before everything blows up in my face. I don’t trust myself, Leo. I’m putting the people I love in jeopardy every damn day. My pride…or my stubbornness rather, isn’t worth the risk. I need to put on my big girl panties and do what needs to be done. She and Ty are offering me a crash course in Magic 101 and I plan on being the best student they’ve ever had. I need to do this for everyone’s best interest. After that, I plan on going home and taking my life back.”

“And she said I could stay here with you, correct?”

I nodded. “Yeah, but I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You can’t? Or you don’t want to?”

I took his hand. “Leo, I’d love it if you’d stay with me but what about your businesses? Can you truly afford to be away for so long?”

“My companies have run themselves for many years. I trust the people that I have in charge of daily operations. I’d really like to stay here, my love, if you’ll have me.”

“As my…companion?”

He stared at my lips. “Yes.”

“Friends don’t look at each other like they want to kiss them.”

He smirked. “That’s too bad, because I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at you again without picturing you naked and ready to be devoured.”

“Friends definitely don’t devour each other.”

He leaned closer. “Then I was a bloody fool for suggesting it.”

My lips parted as he hovered over them. “So are you saying you want to take it back?”

“I’m saying that you need to kiss me.”

“And if I don’t?” I gave him a saucy grin. “Will you take me over your knee and spank me?”

His fangs lengthened. “If that’s what you wanted, my love. Any. Day. Of. The. Week.”