The fire fueling Nirgal’s transformation faded, leaving little more than warm embers. Eyes tracking around the room,Nirgal considered Peat’s words. “That hits a little too close to home.”
Finally pulling away from the wall, Peat scrubbed the tears from his face. His red-rimmed eyes nearly matching his magenta irises. Keeping one hand on the wall, Peat said, “I’m not surprised. Homes are often a reflection of their inhabitants.” Frowning, Peat seemed to only now understand what that meant. “Goddess, Nirgal. Is this… I mean, is this how you feel? I…” Peat’s minuscule wings fluttered, filling the space with pixie dust.
Remaining motionless, Nirgal hardly knew what to say. Finally, he settled on, “My second life has lasted many centuries.” He had spent some of those long years alone but most he had been part of a nest. Like many vampires, when first turned, Nirgal had thought his long allotment of fathomless years was a blessing. He thought himself superior to other species who had a finite life.
How incredibly wrong he had been. He was not the fortunate one. Nirgal had come to believe that life should have an expiration. Without an end date, it became increasingly meaningless.
Finally releasing the wall, Peat came closer. His steps were hesitant, his outstretched arm even more so. “May I touch you?” Peat cautiously asked.
Nirgal’s response was immediate. “As much as you like.”
Peat’s cheeks flushed, but he only rested his fingers against Nirgal’s cool cheek. Eyelids fluttering, Nirgal relished the warm feel of Peat’s light touch. Had he required air, Nirgal would have sucked it down, his chest heaving.
“Before coming down here, I was trying to figure out a way to tell you that I couldn’t take the job,” Peat said.
Nirgal’s heart stopped. “And now?”
“Now I don’t know how I could possibly say no. I’ve never come across a home more in need. I know I don’t looklike a typical pixie, but what I told Gashan is true. My wing deformity does not affect my ability as a home-and-hearth pixie. If you can accept the way I look, then I would like to accept the position.”
Nirgal thought he might melt into a puddle of pure relief. “There is nothing toaccept. You are perfect the way you are, Peat. I would be honored and extremely fortunate to have you as a home-and-hearth pixie.”
While there was still an edge of sadness to Peat’s countenance, Nirgal thought he saw genuine happiness there as well.
“If it’s okay with you, I’d like to start immediately.”
Nothing in the world sounded better than those few words. “Yes. Immediately,” Nirgal parroted as he cupped the palm resting on his cheek. “If that is the case, then you must meet the sprites.”
“Sprites!” Peat’s eyes widened, and his hands slipped from Nirgal’s cheek.
“It was posted in the advertisement.” Nirgal had made certain of that. “We discussed it when you first arrived.”
“Yes. I…I’m aware. It’s not a surprise. I mean, I’d kind of forgotten.” Peat waved his hands around. “What with all the drama going on with the house.”
Drama? Nirgal fought a frown and remained silent.
“Are there many?” Peat asked.
“Not so many at the moment,” Nirgal said while holding out his hand. “Come, let me introduce you. First, you will need this so you can understand them.” The witch had gifted Nirgal with two charmed earpieces. Nirgal handed the second to Peat. “It is witch made.”
Peat fumbled with the small object before slipping it into his ear.
“Perfect.” Nirgal gave Peat’s hand a gentle tug and guided him back out into the alcove, hoping the steps leading up tothe château did not appear overly daunting. If need be, Nirgal would carry the pixie.
A pixie!
Nirgal found it difficult to contain the joy simmering within.A pixie and sprites.Nirgal could hardly remember a time he looked so forward to waking up. It was such a novel feeling he hardly knew what to do with the emotion.
Peat
The edge of the forest hung in the background, illuminated by the waxing moon. Peat was used to working in the dark. Sun or not, the plants still hummed the same tune. Different creatures pitter-pattered about after dark than in the daylight hours, but Peat didn’t find them any more off-putting than the darkness itself.
The hum of the ancient woods sang through Peat’s pixie heart. Home-and-hearth pixies often had at least some affinity for the nature surrounding the home they worked within, although Peat did not feel the forest as keenly as a nature pixie did. Tilting his head back, Peat’s waist-long hair flowed behind him, the strands caught on a gentle breeze. The chilly night air barely registered as an overwhelming flood of information filtered through Peat’s mind and soul.
Unlike the house, this forest was content. It was peaceful and more than that—grateful. Protected by the deadly creatures that owned the land, the forest was old and wise.
“Goddess, this feels good,” Peat said on a happy sigh. “You’ve done well by the land.”
Nirgal’s soft laughter floated through the evening air. “You give me and my nestlings too much credit. I’m afraid the forest has thrived through our neglect.”
