Spinning away, I fling myself into the air. She pricked my pride, yet that very pride refuses to let me be a poor host. Magic hums through my veins as I head north, pushing my speed to its maximum so that in no time at all I’m arrowing down to land in front of a large Victorian house tucked into the middle of the woods. Light spills from the front windows, and muffled voices sound from inside as I walk up the porch steps to pound on the front door.
Rune opens it, glowering at me. “Lukendevener. I didn’t know you were coming.”
A grunt escapes me. I hadn’t known either until a fewminutes ago, but I’m unwilling to admit as much.
A tiny goat clatters across the wooden floor, bleating as she runs straight toward me, her little head lowered. She slams into one of my shins, gives a playful hop, and headbutts the other one.
“Babybelle, stop that!” Autumn appears in the living room doorway. “Sorry, Luke! It’s how she says hello. Ever since she realized fae are stronger than humans, she takes it as permission to play rough.”
“She’s fine.” I lean over and pat the mini-goat’s head. “You should see the kind of damage dragon younglings do when they’re teething.”
Babybelle bleats, high and insistent.
“No, that doesnotmean you can chew on Luke,” Autumn says. Then the redhead turns toward me. “Come in. You don’t have to stand on the doorstep.”
As I step inside the warmth of the entryway, Rune closes the door behind me. “What brings you here?”
“Rune.” Autumn shoots him a look.
“What?” He shrugs and cocks a thumb toward me. “It’s not as if he’s one to make social calls.”
“True,” I say. “I’m here because I need your help.”
“What can I do?” the werewolf asks.
“Not you.” I turn toward the redheaded witch. “Rune told me you helped make this house livable by modern human standards. I need to do the same for mine.”
She beams up at me. “Is this for Skye?”
Rune watches me, an amused gleam in his golden eyes.
My teeth grind together. I hate telling anyone my private business. But there’s no help for it. I tipmy head. “It is.”
“Yes!” She claps her hands together. “I have so many ideas!”
Goddess, save me.
When I step outside the next morning, the sun crests the horizon, reminding me I’ve worked through the entire night.
I have no regrets.
Skye’s reaction to my castle might have been upsetting at first. Yet as I worked through the night, it forced me to realize how little I’ve thought of it as a home. I’ve been so focused on restoring the library I forgot the castle is meant to be lived in. Entire wings of the building remained dormant and closed. I hadn’t even looked at the kitchens until I showed them to her yesterday.
No longer.
My fire burns low in my chest, letting me know how much magic I’ve expended in a very short period of time. It’s no matter. It’s worth it.
As I wait, I chew on the last few cinnamon candies I hid in my storage pocket yesterday, letting their sugary spiciness act as a bit of a pick me up. I must procure more of these. Never one for sweets in the past, I now find Skye’s favorite treat addictive.
Naomi blinks into existence, several colorful suitcases and bags dotting the stone paving around her feet. The teleporting witch gives me a nod, her brown face unusuallysolemn as she greets me. “Luke.”
I suppress a burst of irritation. She and her husband have not yet forgiven me for abandoning their quest to reopen the doors of Faerie. Yet I did so under orders. Their quest was successful without me, as I knew it would be.Andmy actions assured we had additional dragons to fight by our side when we finally faced the Dark God. Everything I did was preeminently logical. Why can’t they accept it?
She blinks away, and I gather the bags and bring them into the foyer. By the time I return outside, another load awaits me, this one containing several items I assume are for the cat.
With one last pop of displaced air, she returns, one hand gripping Skye’s shoulder.
Princess Buttercup gives an excited meep and jumps from Skye’s arms to dash inside the castle.
