“’Tis no way to treat someone whose intentions weregood.” The way he said it made Peter think the complaint wasn’t being raised for the first time.
“Cry me a river,” said the pixie, who was at the bar, sitting next to Kira.She held the Fae’s leash loosely in her hand, a Shirley Temple in the other.
“A lot of people pay good money to be made to clean our floors,” Kira said.
Laurette clapped his hands.“Isn’t this perfect?I love it.So, Cloudtree, you have family out there looking for you?”
The Fae stopped his scrubbing.“What is it to you, Elven cousin?Would you bind them with magicked silver also?And for naught but caring to break a bloodsucker’s thrall!”
Peter had made sure he’d gone down the stairs ahead of Theodore, and Carl-Conrad had gone just after; a pack reflex to protect those who were weaker.Now though, Theodore shouldered past Peter.
“Don’t you fucking call him that!What did Peter ever do to you, huh?You’rethe creep who caused half the campus to film you and wonder what the hell you were doing there, all strutting and preening and glittering like that.”
Cloudtree sat back on his heels.“I didn’t—I—you must believe me, my intentions were genuine!I do not strut.”
Theodore, in an overblown gesture, rolled his eyes, and Peter was sure this was one of Celeste’s lessons in non-verbal communication showing through.
“Regardless.”Peter put an arm around Theodore’s middle.“There are now others there.”
Cloudtree frowned.“Others?”
“We were thinking, someone looking for you perhaps?”Laurette grinned at the Fae, and once again, Peter saw a predatory glint in the Elf’s eyes.It was unsettling, and Peter didn’t normally find many things unsettling.“Or friends of yours?What is it, brothers in arms and all that?”
“Good caning helps with that a lot of the time,” Celeste mumbled, too low for anyone but the supernaturals to hear.
Cloudtree didn’t pale, but the sparkle of his glittery skin faded slightly.
“I…I wouldn’t think it, but…it is possible—not likely!—but possible that my stepbrothers followed me here.”He dropped his gaze to the floor he’d been doing a decent job cleaning, wringing the rag he’d used in his hands.“I beseech you to understand.They are not looking to do good if it truly is them.”He looked up at Theodore.“All I wanted was your gratitude, valiantly earned and freely given.If that caused offense… I can see it caused offense.That was not my intention.”
“That’s new.”Peter exchanged a look with Laurette.“This might be the closest I’ve ever seen a son of Faerie come to an apology.”
Laurette sighed.“We might have to grab the swords.”
Cloudtree stood.“You mean to kill them?Please, I beg of you!They’re kin.I loathe them, but they’re kin.”
“And they’re intruders in a city that happens to be under my protection.”Laurette took a step forward, almost coming nose to nose with the Fae.“We’ll take you along.Talk them down if you can, but fail, and I will act.”
Cloudtree’s Adam’s apple bobbed.“I will do my best.”
Chapter 16
Theodecidedhewaspretty done with the day.He was in the back of Peter’s car, Lord Laurette having taken the passenger seat while Peter was driving.Theo was wedged in the middle, Carl on his right and Gertrude on his left, although she was sitting half on Cloudtree’s leg.Cloudtree was tall and wide, and it didn’t help that Carl was too.Theo cradled his school bag closer while facing forward.
Peter took a right turn.“Uh, sorry.”Carl did his best to get back to his corner of the seat.Peter’s ice blue eyes appeared in the rearview, taking in the situation at a glance.
It was more of that for the next five minutes it took Peter to get to the linguistics department and neatly take one of the professors’ spots there.
“We could still all be having cake,” Laurette said before getting out.“I so enjoy cake and watching young love.Or is it old love?Ah, sophisticated love.”
Carl nodded as he unbuckled his seat belt.“Yeah.”
Laurette shot him a sharp grin when Carl wasn’t looking.
Peter didn’t get out right away but turned around, looking from Theo to Gertrude, who was making Cloudtree get out on his side.The tip of her hat almost caught the side of Theo’s head.
“Are you all right, Theodore?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
