It wasn’t in my nature to be embarrassed by my lust for Shannon, but there were many proverbial mountains to climb before I could even entertain the idea of sinking into her beautiful body. There was also no way I’d bring her into this place until it was clean and welcoming. I strode after Ventry and into the sweet-smelling fresh air before turning to my left and going around the back of the cottage.
“You can come out now, Finchley.” It wasn’t necessary to shout. The cottage’s resident pixie had hearing as acute as mine. Ventry raised a brow when nothing happened. It wasn’t a surprise. Pixies were suspicious by nature and necessity. “I know you’re here, and you know I’d never hurt you. I’ll vouch for my friend, too.”
A tiny fluttering of wings disturbed the large leaves of the nearest tree. Finchley darted out, looked at me, and then darted away as Vent shifted his weight.
“He’s not from Spring, he’s a winter Fae. A powerful one, and not to be trusted.” Finchley’s tinkly voice was full of accusation.
I pressed my lips together to suppress my smile. “Should I tell her?” I side-eyed my friend, who wore his usual stoic expression once again. He remained silent but shook his head. Hoping it would reassure her, I let my smile widen. “He is powerful. But you can trust him.”
Finchley landed on a large purple leaf, arms crossed over her tiny chest, and narrowed her eyes as the leaf bounced up and down under her weight. “The young prince and future king of Faery is your friend? How did that happen?”
Trust Finchley not to miss a beat. She was far older than me and probably far wiser. Though she’d seen people come and go, she had looked after this tiny cottage for most of her very long life. It was dusty inside, but that was deliberate. She wouldn’t make it look like there was a pixie nearby unless the cottage was lived in. Pixies were far too easy prey for the High Fae, especially the Spring High Lord. Astron kept them as slaves for his palaces and halls. Pixies were loyal once they took a vow to serve you or a homestead, and even if that vow was made under duress, they kept it.
I choked back a laugh at Ventry’s stupefied look. I had to agree that calling a Fae as old as Ventyoungwas laughable. Then again, Finchley was ancient. “It’s a long story.”
“Hm, I expect it is.” She looked Vent in the eye before dipping her head. “Ventry B’nar Ventris, it is an honour to meet you.”
Vent’s eyes narrowed, but he showed no other sign of surprise that the ancient little Fae knew who he was. “The honour is mine, Finchley.”
My father had never acknowledged my title as his son, let alone his heir, so I often forgot thatB’naractually meantheir of, a term used for the eldest son of the High Fae. Until Ventry took the throne and crown of High King from his exiled father, he was indeed the heir of Faery. I wondered why we’d all started calling him B’nar instead of using his common name. His true name was a secret, just like other Fae. Perhaps B’nar had been a formal address from Connor at some point, and we’d all just carried it on. He’d let my pack know if he wanted to change it, just as he’d done with me. I cocked my head and frowned at Finchley, still unsure how she’d known who he was.
Her tinkling laugh flitted like a butterfly through the trees before being carried away by the gentle breeze. “The portal you used wasn’t an illegal one. And it was genuinely powerful. Onlythe King of Faery and his line has the means to summon such a thing, and so openly.”
My brows rose.
“Well, you were both wondering how I knew who he was, weren’t you?” She smiled. “Besides, you’re both dressed in fine clothes, which no Fae other than a very wealthy one would own.” Her wings vibrated, creating a burst of colour behind her tiny form as she rose into the air. “You also have the look of your father about you, young Prince. He was always one of the most beautiful and deadly High Fae I’ve ever met. You are the same.” She tilted her head, staying far enough away she could disappear into the foliage in the blink of an eye. “He was also an honourable soul. He promised all pixies safety from harm in his lands and company. Do you honour that vow?”
It was unheard of for a common Faery to demand an unbreakable vow from the High King of the Fae. B’nar wasn’t the king—yet, but he might as well be.
“Finchley!” I growled a warning.
Ventry put a hand on my forearm and shook his head. “It is okay, my friend.” His eyes remained on Finchley, his voice grave. “I do indeed acknowledge my father’s vow.”
The wily little pixie smiled. “And what of your own vow? Will you honour the same?”
Vent dipped his chin, not taking his eyes off Finchley, looking almost amused. A bargain it was, then.
“I will grant safety to all pixies loyal to me and those I love. If they honour my laws both in my kingdom and my presence, I will never hurt them. But know that I will hunt down and kill any who break those vows. That includes passing information about the ones I care for to those who would harm them. Do I make myself clear?”
Finchley paled a little but looked him in the eyes. “Very, Prince.”
Ventry’s eyes glowed, and the same lightning magic that had swirled around our forearms sparked in the air in front of him. “Good. Then you will ensure word is passed to all pixie kind, and we will seal our vow.”
A thread of sparking magic whipped through the air so quickly I barely caught it. Finchley had no time to flutter away, and the magic caught her by the neck, leaving a tiny green mark. Her hand slapped against it, and she winced but didn’t look angry, merely pleased. It was a good deal. The pixie grapevine could spread the word as effectively as a forest fire could spread destruction.
“I will wait for you at the front of the cottage.” Vent walked away, his footsteps silent. He was indeed a predator, a hunter in the embrace of the forest that even my shifter senses might miss. I thanked the Mother that he was on my side. I didn’t envy the High Lord of Spring if he incurred Vent’s wrath.
Finchley fluttered towards me, hovering in front of my face. “Tell me, forest wolf, what happened to my sweet Gwen?”
My stomach lurched, and I immediately wanted to clam up. Her death was something I’d never forgive myself for, but I needed Finchley’s help. And if that meant telling her about the events that led to Gwen’s death, including Shannon’s father, so she understood why I was bringing her here, then that’s what I’d do. I could lie. I was powerful enough as a Fae to do it, but I wouldn’t disrespect the pixie who’d cared for Gwen’s family line until they’d died out. Not every Fae could sense lies, let alone tell them, but Finchley was old enough to, which was one sure-fire way to lose her loyalty.
So I told her everything except Shannon’s name. I wouldn’t trust that to anyone in this world but Ventry and Blue.
Chapter 12
Shannon
I hadn’t seen Stoney-boy all day, and I was unsettled. My wolf was pining as much as I was, which just irritated me more. I’d grown used to the grumpy bastard's presence at my side, and I hated that he had something to do that took his attention from me. Selfish bitch that I was.
