I suck in another big breath. I care for my world, I really do. I’m scared of the fey and I know damn well that they are bad news. So it’s not as if the fey invading is a trivial matter. It is that I care for Pink far more. A lot more.
Oh goddess. How could I have missed this blatant truth? I’m not merely fond or smitten, am I? I’m not pining for what-if’s and could-have-been’s. I’m in love. Truly, madly, deeply in love. Pink is the one. There never will be anyone else for me.
I’m so bowled over by this revelation that at first I don’t notice the sound of cars approaching. As soon as I do register it, my heart starts racing all over again.
The moment the vehicles are within range, I probe with my magic senses. The familiar hum of Pink’s ether sings back at me. Intact and unhurt. Glorious and bright. I breathe out a huge, trembling sigh of relief.
Pink is okay. And the fey have not invaded. I’m pretty sure it would be an unmissable event if they had. So all is right with the world. Disaster averted.
Gravel crunches as the cars sweep into the driveway on the other side of the house from me. I listen to the murmur of voices and the slam of car doors.
I can’t make out what they are saying, but the tones are sad and stressed. But not distraught. I think it is safe to deduce that nobody has been badly hurt and no great calamity has befallen.
The sound of footsteps coming around the side of the house to the back garden has me freezing. I’m sitting out here in the middle of the night, like the worst kind of spy.
Pink comes into view. His head is down and his arms are wrapped around his slender chest.
He is heading straight for my campervan. Making a beeline for it. Pink is upset and scared and his instinct is to run to me.
My heart swoops in dark glee. It is everything I was hopelessly yearning for a few minutes ago. Whatever caused him to run off without seeking my help, it was not a fundamental part of his feelings for me. There is hope. Hope that he might love me. Or grow to.
“Pink,” I say softly as I stand up and let my presence be known.
His head snaps up, but he doesn’t look shocked to see me. He looks relieved. Greatly, hugely relieved.
He turns towards me and all but runs the remaining distance. My arms open wide just in time to catch him. He burrows into me and lets up a soft sob. I wrap my arms around his warm weight and press him close to me.
“Everything is going to be okay,” I promise. An oath I will somehow keep if it takes everything I have to uphold it. Pink is going to be safe. Even if I have to sacrifice my soul for it.
Pink sucks in a shaky breath at my words, and then he bursts into tears.
I scoop him up and carry him to the campervan.
I’m acting as if he is already mine, and it feels wonderful.
Chapter sixteen
Pink
Waking up feels like wading through treacle. It is so hard to pull myself to consciousness. I’m warm and comfortable and Monty’s arms are around me. I have never felt safer. I don’t want to leave. I want to stay like this forever.
As my thoughts gather, my heart starts to race. I spent the night in Monty’s bed. I cried all over him and he just held me. He didn’t ask for anything in return. I should probably be embarrassed. I didn’t ask if I could stay, I simply fell asleep and didn’t leave.
Now it is morning and he is spooning me, and I have no idea what to do. I’ve never slept in someone else’s bed before. What is the etiquette?
I take a deep breath. I need to calm down. It’s Monty. Everything is fine. He is not one for formalities.
As if on cue, he stirs behind me. He shifts position slightly and snuffles my hair. Then he moves away and yawns.
“Breakfast?” he asks.
How does he know I am awake?
“Yes, please,” I say, because I don’t want to leave. Any excuse to bask in Monty’s company is fine by me.
He rolls out of bed and pads over to the tiny bathroom. I listen to the sounds of splashing water. When he emerges a few minutes later, he is wearing only pajama bottoms and his white hair is sticking up all over the place.
A smile stretches across my face. He grins back at me and strides over to the kitchen area. Two small gas burners, a tiny sink and a minuscule fridge under the counter. Somehow, he makes it work seamlessly.
