Keys.
Phone.
And oh yeah, that weird little bag Marsha had given?—
“Here.” Zolrya reached out to touch Seymour’s collar, and a large sunflower appeared there.
“Oh, wow.” Seymour smiled down at it. It was bright, fresh, and smelled like a forest after a thunderstorm. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
Fuck, he hoped this hadn’t been a person.
When Seymour looked back up, they were all standing outside the restaurant. It was dark now, and Zolrya’s smile seemed to glow like the glitter of lights and traffic around them. His skin had a greenish tint, maybe from a nearby green light or perhaps it was his true form bleeding through.
“Thank you for sharing your fast food secrets with me.” Zolrya giggled. “I had so much fun! I hope we can dine together again very soon.”
Seymour laughed nervously. “Yeah, sure. Anytime.”
Behind him, Sariel sighed.
Seymour didn’t know what had just happened, but he had the distinct impression that he had fucked up.
Badly.
“Take care of yourself, little mortal.” Zolrya smiled and lightly booped the end of Seymour’s nose. “I’ll let you know when I’m ready for our next dining adventure!” He waved to Sariel. “Take care of this one, hmm? I like him.”
Sariel bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty. That I can agree to.”
Day popped out beside Seymour’s leg, whispering loudly, “Is he leaving?”
“Mmhmm,” Seymour hummed quietly.
Zolrya looked around thoughtfully, and his gaze settled in Day’s general direction as if he had somehow sensed her presence. He smiled and bowed. “Ah, and farewell to you, spirit.”
“Bye!” Day hopped up on Seymour’s shoulder and then waved cheerfully. “I’m glad I didn’t see your butt!”
Seymour swallowed a laugh. “She saysbye.”
“Farewell.” Zolrya smiled and wiggled his fingers, a faint flash of his faerie self appearing right before he vanished in a sweetly scented gust of wind.
Seymour let out a sigh of relief. “Holy fuck.” He froze. “He is really gone, right? Like, poof, back to Faerie land?”
“Yes, I believe so.” Sariel wrapped his arms around Seymour. “Are you all right?”
“Well, I didn’t get turned into anythin’ that requires a diet of Miracle Grow, so I’m gonna take it as a win.”
Day nodded. “And we didn’t see any butts.”
“Yeah,but…” Seymour cringed. “What I said to him aboutanytime? Does this mean I gotta have fast food dates from now on with a crazy ass faerie king?”
Sariel made a face. “Yes, I am afraid so.”
“Fuck me.” Seymour groaned.
“Unfortunately, words are binding with faeries.” Sariel gave Seymour a small squeeze. “I am very sorry, mystella. You really need to be careful and stop thanking them. That also creates a debt.”
“Fuckin’ hellfire.”
“Perhaps he will not call on you again. He could become distracted and forget.”
