He hurriedly dressed as he talked.
“I did what you said. I’ve showered Dewy with all my attention. I haven’t looked at Peachspray’s rounded backside, not even when she bent over in front of me at the bathhouse. And I didn’t wash Judy’s glorious flower, even though she had trouble reaching it herself.”
His woe-filled words painted the picture of an orgy in the guise of community bathing. Thankfully, my eyes didn’t go black at the thought, or I would have started questioning my sanity.
“I only look at Dewy, and she’s still angry at anyone who comes close to me.” Dressed, he sat on my glistening pillow in dejection. “I don’t know what else to do to show her that I care about her.”
I sat on the other end of the bed and considered Piepen. I’d sent him to the marshes to be with his own kind, thinking he would be happier. He didn’t look happy. He looked miserable. And his new girlfriend sounded horrible. But if I told him any of that, he’d be back sleeping in my drawer again. That couldn’t happen. Yet, I couldn’t manage the level of selfishness needed to leave him to sort out his own problems.
“Did you know that Dewy sent her little sister to spy on me yesterday?”
Piepen looked horrified.
“Not you too! I only touched myself and thought of you when she was sleeping.”
The need to help him faded.
“Stop touching yourself and thinking of me. You’re supposed to be thinking of her. No wonder she’s jealous.”
He groaned in misery.
“You ask the impossible of me. I’ve felt your skin against mine. I’ve marked you as my own. Your smile keeps me awake at night. The only time I can sleep is when I’m wrapped in your underwear, blanketed by your musky scent.”
“I think I’m going to throw up. Did you steal my underwear?”
His gaze shifted right then left. “No.”
“Piepen, you’re using the excuse for advice as a reason to visit me. Ask your new guardians for help with Dewy. They understand brownie interactions better than I do.” I stood and went to the window, which was once again open. The bit of hanger I’d jammed between the jamb and sash lay on the sill. “How do you guys keep opening my window?”
“I didn’t. I swear. It was already open.”
Given his previous lie, I didn’t believe him and pointed at the opening.
“It’s time for you to go. And stop sleeping in my underwear!”
He zipped out into dawn’s early light, and I hoped his appearance wasn’t an omen for how the rest of my day would go.
Chapter Ten
“Good morning,Eliana. How was your weekend?”
Irritation at the unexpected sight of Adira sitting in the dining room robbed me of the last bit of my patience.
“Suitably filled with adult harassment regarding my life choices. How was yours?”
She sighed, her disappointment in my answer plain in her expression.
“I am not harassing you, Eliana. I’m ensuring you continue your progress toward becoming a healthy, self-sufficient adult.”
“Have you even looked up the definition of harassment?”
“You seem to be in a mood today.” She arched a single brow at me.
“Like I said, I had a trying weekend.”
“Is that why you weren’t at the Roost last night?”
My impatience with the conversation grew.
