My first thought, to tell him to go away, flew from my mind when he hiccupped and lifted a light-green cup to his lips. I took in his fully-clothed state and sniffed the air, not detecting even a hint of skunk scent.
“Are you drunk?”
“Yep. That’s what expectant fathers do.”
I frowned at him, plucked him from the air, and sat him on my raised knees.
“I already told you. I’m not pregnant.”
He groaned. “Dewy’s going to kill me. I never mentioned the baby I made with you. How am I ever going to support two? She’s right. I’m going to need to sell my wings.”
“Whoa. Hold on just a minute. You are not selling your wings. There are no babies, Piepen.”
He snorted, wiped at his eyes, and took another drink.
“Shows what you know. Dewy took a test. The gnat died the minute she peed on it.”
I wrinkled my nose.
“What does peeing on a gnat have to do with anything?”
“It’s how a brownie knows she’s pregnant. Madeline is the one who told me about it after I told her and Marshal I was moving in with Dewy permanently.” He wiped at his eyes again and sniffled. “I’m going to have to marry her. She’s insisting on it with the baby on the way. I just came to look at you one more time.” He started sniffling in earnest. “Goodbye, my sweet love.”
He zipped toward the window, hit the pane above the opening with an audible smack, and fell to the sill.
“Gods, Piepen. Are you okay?”
He sat up and shook his head, then cupped himself between the legs.
“Yep. No damage.”
I rolled my eyes and got out of bed.
“What are you drinking?”
“Fermented poppy milk. The strongest I could find.” He sniffled and tipped his cup back. Only this time, there was no long gulp. He peered sadly at the empty container before throwing it out the window and sobbing uncontrollably.
“Don’t you want to marry Dewy?” I asked.
“After witnessing the nectar of your love petals, I thought having a woman would be more physical and less ‘stop-touching-me.’ I don’t want to spend the rest of my life being the only one to enjoy the pleasures of my flesh.”
I stared at him, trying not to make the grossed-out face I wanted to make and feeling a surge of pity for his Dewy. I could only imagine how much touching Piepen wanted to do after my short time with him.
“Brownies are very amorous creatures. Maybe Dewy isn’t the right one for you.”
“It’s too late for that now, Eliana. She’s pregnant. I’m not going to turn my back on her, no matter how much you beg me to stay.” He looked at me hopefully.
“I’m not suggesting you stay with me. I’m suggesting you find another girl. If Dewy is as uninterested in touching you as you say, she probably doesn’t want to marry you either.”
He perked up a little.
“Talk to her about it. Maybe I’m right. But no matter what you decide to do with your relationship, don’t sell your wings, Piepen. You’ll regret it every day of your life.”
He nodded and flitted into the air.
“You’re right. Without them, I’d never see you again.”
I opened my mouth to tell him he didn’t need to see me at all, even with his wings, but he flew out before I could make a sound.
