Throwing an arm over my eyes, I took a deep breath, expanding my chest, holding it for a count of ten and releasing. That breath should have been cleansing. Instead, the silence that should have ensued was broken by muffled voices that raised inpitch. One voice was too low to hear. The other was higher and angrier.
What was going on? Who the hell was in my house, arguing at—I checked the clock—8:33 a.m.
Throwing back the covers, I slid out of bed, threw on a pair of lounge pants and t-shirt, and padded to my bedroom door. Opening it only heightened the voices. The louder one was definitely Phlox. The other voice didn’t belong to Leon.
I carefully walked down the hall, going toward the raised sounds.
“I’m just saying, it’s nothing for you to open a portal from Virginia to Mississippi. Instead, you made Leon and me ride on a plane. A plane that wasdelayed. Leon had to stay awake into late morning.” Phlox sounded just as huffy as the words he spoke.
“Your mate survived,” came the cold reply. “I do not see the problem.”
“Of course you don’t.” The high-pitched flutter of pixie wings hummed through the air. “It hurt him, Ray. Do you understand that?”
“As I said, Leon survived. As did you.”
“You arrogant fairy ass! I should maul you.”
“You really should not attempt to do so. Wendall would be most displeased if I injured you.” My footsteps gained speed as the threats began flying.
“But it costs you nothing. It doesn’t hurt you at all,” Phlox argued.
“How do you know that?” That simple question seemed to bring Phlox up short, and by the time I reached the living room, Phlox was still in the air, but the speed of his wings had lessened.
“Does it cost you something?” Phlox asked, his tone more subdued.
“No.” The answer was short and succinct.
Phlox flew higher, his cheeks flushed crimson and his fingers tipped in deadly claws. “Then why did you say that?”
“Because you were making an assumption based on nothing but your own beliefs.”
“Which were correct!”
The fairy, whose crimson hair, pale skin, and fire-laden eyes told me was Hellfire Rayburn, merely shrugged, refusing to comment.
“Ohh, you—”
It seemed like a good time to clear my throat and announce my presence. “Hey.” I waved at Ray. “Did I know you were coming today?” I scratched the back of my neck and then attempted to run my fingers through my bed-tousled hair. Unfortunately, my fingers got stuck in a couple of hopeless tangles.
Arms crossed, Phlox remained aloft. Chin jutted out, his foot tapped against nothing but air. “I called him. Seemed like a good idea at the time, to give Fairy a heads-up regarding our suspicions.” Phlox huffed. “I didn’t expect Mr. I’ll Portal Myself But Nobody Else to show up himself.”
Ray’s shoulders stiffened. “I have transported others before.”
“Pfft…” Phlox blew a raspberry in Ray’s direction. “Then what was the big deal about transporting Leon and me?”
Ray’s body stilled to the point I couldn’t even see his chest move in our out. The temperature in the living room rose and sweat beaded on my brow. The situation was rapidly deteriorating. Phlox must have finally picked up what Ray was starting to throw down because he tilted his head to the side and gave a dismissive “whatever” before lowering to the ground.
The room only grew hotter. “Um… I don’t suppose you could tone it down before my house bursts into flames.”
I don’t know if it was my words or simply the sound of my voice, but whatever the reason, Ray eased down. “Apologies, Necromancer Boone.”
“It’s fine,” I lied and waved off Ray’s concern. My heart raced. I didn’t particularly like having a fairy in my living room. Pops would have a coronary if he knew about this.
“It is not, but I appreciate your grace in the matter,” Ray surprisingly answered. “I relayed Phlox’s concerns to Queen Silvidia, and she asked me to discuss the situation in person.”
“Oh.” I glanced over at Phlox. Leon was nowhere to be found, and I could only assume he was asleep given that it was morning. From what I understood, Leon could be roused, but given how protective Phlox was of his mate, I doubted he’d do so. Leon wouldn’t be happy when he learned about Phlox and Ray’s verbal spar.
“I’m not sure what Phlox told you or what I can add.”
