“Sure. We can go with that if it helps you.”
I nodded slowly, arms crossing over my chest as the full meaning of her confession took root. A smile stretched across my face.
Uncertainty swept across hers. “What’s that face mean? You look like the Grinch.”
I laughed.
“Oh, darling, if you’re right, I’m going to be a much bigger problem for the horsewomen than the Grinch ever was for those little Whos. And the best part is... they’ll never see me coming.” I laughed again, not stopping as the soft, menacing chuckle swelled in volume until it boomed and filled the entirety of the space. “Watch your back, mummy dearest. Pandemic is coming, and this time there is no cure.”
Chapter
Six
MERRI
My dreamwalk with Pan had been illuminating, to say the least. While he didn’t physically resemble my Malice, he certainly shared a similar attitude. Confident, capable, and filled with disdain for anything more than mildly inconvenient. I just hoped my warning would be enough to help him with his escape. Without knowing anything about his circumstances, there wasn’t much else we could offer. It really was up to him. We’d done everything we could.
At least for now.
But that was yesterday’s problem. Something told me I was about to walk straight into today’s. That something was a summons from Auntie Lilith. She rarely demanded attention, instead taking it whenever she wanted it, but I’d woken to a notecard in her signature black stock that simply readMy office. ASAP.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was a naughty schoolgirl heading to the principal’s office. Most people might think that an odd way to feel when going to visit a family member. But most people’s aunt wasn’t Lilith Duval, so they could kick rocks.
There was no telling what she wanted. A friendly chat, a mission of some kind, or worse... some sort of punishment for who knew what.
Only one way to find out, I supposed.
I hesitated at her office door, hand poised to knock when the sound of enthusiastic voices reached me from the other side. I say enthusiastic because I couldn’t quite tell if they were raised in anger or something else entirely. With my aunt and her fae prince, both were equally plausible.
“I don’t understand where this is coming from. It’s nothing they haven’t seen before,” Lilith said.
“Oh, really? Have they? That’s news to me, Lilypad.”
“If you think any of those men have never seen a bare breast, you haven't been paying attention.”
A low growl radiated from under the door. “It’s different when they areyourbreasts, darling.”
“Oh, pish posh. I walk around tits out all the time. In fact, you’ve accompanied me on more than one occasion. I distinctly recall you being quite the fan of my cupless corset and heart pasties.”
I caught Crombie’s muffled curse and then my aunt’s sharp inhale before his voice dipped low and he crooned, “Pasties are not nipples, Lilypad. In case you’ve forgotten, we have an agreement. Certain parts of you are for my eyes only. Do you need a reminder of which ones I’m referring to?”
Lilith’s soft huff of laughter had me taking a step back. I probably shouldn’t be eavesdropping on any of this.
“Save that thought for later, pet. We have company.”
I froze. Fuck. Before I could back away further from the door, it swung open, and I was face-to-face with Lilith’s bare breasts.
“Um . . . you wanted to see me?”
My aunt dipped down to pick up her black silk shirt and slipped it on as if this was a common occurrence and notarguably one of the most awkward in my life. “Yes, darling. Do come in and take a seat.” She tipped her cheek up, angling toward Crombie. “Give me a kiss, dearest, and then leave us girls be.”
The fae sighed before leaning down and obliging. “We’re not finished,” he murmured, and my usually unflappable aunt blushed the faintest pink.
I couldn’t stop my smirk at seeing this side of her.
She schooled her features and rolled her eyes as he started for the door, forcing me to move to the side or risk being bowled over.
“If you had it your way, we never would be,” she called after him.
