“No. I don’t think so.”
I paused, trying to get my mind to move on, to focus on something important. To not let it give in to every emotional worry of my heart. “You don’t think so? So there’s nothing going on between you two?”
Schwint let out a laugh that was loud enough it should have woken Caitlin. “Are you serious? Something going on between me and Pewlet?”
I shrugged.
“No. Of course not. Why would you think that?”
I shrugged again, embarrassed. “I don’t know. You want an open relationship. I’m trying to figure that out, and we show up, and here you are with another guy. I wasn’t sure what to think.”
“Okay, while this isn’t the time to discuss all the details around open relationships, it wouldn’t be some guy that I drag along with me. I don’t want a relationship with anyone else. Just you. When other sex happens, that’s all it will be—done and left behind.”
He held my gaze, refusing to let me look away, waiting for a response. I had no idea what to say.
After a few more moments, Schwint’s lips cracked into a crooked smile. “And, even if that weren’t true,which it is, Pewlet? Really? As uptight as you can be, he makes you look like the entire flower-child generation all rolled up into one. That one drives me the littlest bit crazy.”
“Then why is he here?”
He laughed again, and this time it sounded more irritated than anything. “I was somewhere over Mexico yesterday before I realized I was being followed. Looking back, I should have realized a long time before, but I hadn’t been thinking about it. It didn’t seem like a possibility at all. Why would someone be following me? I paused until the little shit caught up with me, and there he was. Pewlet in all his glory. I’m sorry,Newton.” He gave a dramatic groan-and-eye-roll combination. “I mean, I get it. You know I do. Most of my own family doesn’t measure up to the royal family’s esthetic ideal. I hate it! But I don’t act like I’m ready to blow up the entire earth because the world isn’t fair.”
As much as I hated myself for feeling it, I rather enjoyed how much Newton annoyed Schwint. Any concern of mutual attraction vanished. “Why was he following you?”
Another groan. “This is where I should have caught on. When I went to the royal family to ask if they had any knowledge about Cynthia’s capture, after I found the note, before I came back to the hospital to tell you guys…”
I nodded that I understood the timeline and for him to continue.
“Well, he was there, at the royal family’s palace. I should have thought about it. He’s always there.” He gave an irritated shake of his head. “Actually, I shouldn’t have thought about it. Why would I have ever dreamed that Pewlet would start following me around?”
“Why is he?”
“Like I said, the fairy likes a revolution. While he was spying on the royal family, he overheard me tell them about Cynthia and that the Vampire Cathedral wanted you. The dumbass couldn’t pass up a chance to take down the Man. Even if the Man is the entire Vampire Cathedral. Never mind it’s been around for a couple of millenniums. Nothing an ugly little fairy can’t handle.”
“And you let him come with you?”
“Honestly, I doubt I could have gotten rid of him. I’m sure I would have thought I did, but then he’d just pop up when we least expected it, probably fucking something up in the process. Plus, whatever issues the boy has, he really is a hard worker, and while he may not personally care about Cynthia, he couldn’t be more passionate about fighting the elite—regardless if they are fairy or vampire. He’s one more body that can help, one more with magic, and one that will fight with everything in him if it comes to that. Can’t hurt, right?”
“I guess.” Now that my needy concerns were out of the way, exhaustion was taking over despite the obnoxious light streaming through the window. “Schwint?”
“Hmm?”
“I’m sorry I got weird about Newton. I’m not quite sure how to handle this whole open thing.”
Schwint’s face softened, and his voice was warm and gentle. “Finn, there’s nothing to be sorry for. I know this isn’t your area of homoeostasis. It’s normal for a fairy, but not for you. I can’t tell you how much I love that you’re willing to try to figure it out. We’re going to take that part slowly, okay? I’m not gonna knock your feet out from under you. I love you, okay? You’re safe. Promise.”
I didn’t know how to respond, so I just nodded and snuggled closer to him, and let myself drift away.
“It’s justa golden silk-orb weaver.”
I looked over at Schwint from my place on the floor where I’d fallen over the bed, backpedaling from the window. “A what?”
He shrugged. “A banana spider.”
My attention reverted back to the huge black-and-yellow spider balanced on its web over the top of the window. I shuddered again and couldn’t repress a groan.
“Gay boys!” Caitlin was nearly doubled over laughing in the bathroom doorway. “You’re planning on walking into the Vampire Cathedral later today, but you’re terrified of a little spider?”
“Little! You call that thing little?”
