He inclined his head to her. “You have recently made friends with an ancient, knowledgeable draheim.”
“She talks in riddles.” Peri huffed. “I already tried to ask her about my past, and she gave me some cryptic, philosophical answer. Those annoy me more than smart-ass answers.”
“Maybe if we both go talk to her,” Nissa offered.
“What, like a two-for-one special of high fae pressure?” Peri knew she sounded annoyed. Because she was. “Serapha isn’t going to tell us anything just because we want to know. She had the opportunity to tell me, even freaking admitted that she knew what happened, but she didn’t elaborate.”
Nissa frowned. “What exactly did she say?”
Peri stopped her pacing and folded her arms in front of her. “She said that her son wasn’t the first draheim to save my life. But that my mind didn’t remember it.”
“I think Lucian is right. We need to go back to Serapha.”
“I’m pretty sure this isn’t a majority-rules situation.” Peri looked at her mate and then at Nissa.
Nissa shrugged. “I don’t need you to come with me. You can hang out here and huff and puff while I get answers.”
Peri’s lips pursed. “Who are you, and where did the calm, quiet Nissa go?”
Nissa’s face remained blank as she responded. “I’ve always been this person. I just kept my commentary in my head.”
“Okay, do that again.”
Nissa rolled her eyes.
“And that, too.” Peri pointed at her. “Keep that to yourself, as well.”
“See you in a bit.” Nissa flashed.
“Did she seriously just flash in the middle of a conversation?”
Lucian chuckled. “Not used to her pushing back?”
“I blame this on Jen.” Peri reached for his hand. “She’s turning everyone into rebellious buttheads.”
“Eloquent,” Lucian murmured.
“I’m three thousand years old. I don’t have to be eloquent. Aren’t old people allowed to be eccentric and ridiculous while everyone else has to just smile at them and laugh?”
“You don’t look like an old person, my love. You look twenty-something. An eccentric twenty-something just comes across as a narcissistic ass.”
“If the shoe fits.” She huffed and then flashed them to the draheim veil.
Nissa stood there leaning against a tree, looking smug as hell. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to stay away.”
“No.” Peri shook her head. “I just don’t feel like attending another funeral when you get your fairy butt eaten by a draheim.”
“At least I know I rank high enough on your list that you’d actually come to my funeral.”
Peri flicked her hand at her long-time comrade. “Don’t get all sentimental. That’s only because if I didn’t come, I’d look like a jerk, and I try to only look like a jerk when it suits me.” Peri walked up to the shimmering veil and placed her hand against it. She spoke in her native tongue and then stepped back. She’d sent out a call using her magic, and since she’d been in the draheim realm, Serapha would hear her call.
“Will they allow us entrance?” Nissa’s eyes jumped from the veil to Peri.
“Probably. But knowing Serapha, she’ll make us wait just because it will amuse her to irritate me.”
“I’m sure your endearing personality has nothing to do with that.”
Peri snapped her fingers, and several chairs appeared. The chairs were made of dark wood, intricately carved, and held cushions covered with green and gold woven into a fine filigree. Lucian raised a brow at her. “What? I don’t want to lean against a tree or sit on the ground.”
