“I accidentally already gave you five more minutes.”
His eyes fly open, and he pops up.
“Hey, hey.” I lift my hands and hope to calm him. “Wick’s not gonna be mad.” Wick’s never mad. He’s probably one of the happiest demons I know. Actually, that’s a lie. Most of the demons I know are happy. More than likely because the demons I associate with all have partners and everyone seems so full of love, it makes me jealous at times.
“I know, but it’s only my second day. I probably shouldn’t be late getting back from a break.” He smooths his hands down his front, but the apron’s still creased.
“Honestly, I still feel bad if I come in late.” I push to my feet and gather the plates. “But Wick always has a smile on his face.”
“I’ve noticed. It’s refreshing. At court, so many people always had frowns I had to turn upside down.” He draws his forefingers up his face as if to mimic turning a frown to a smile. “Sometimes all the smiling is insufferable, though. Is love truly that amazing?” He leaves me with that thought.
I don’t know if love is so amazing, but it’s something I want to experience some day. If anyone ever found me worthy of love.
9
WREN
“Talon seems to have calmed the fuck down.” Wick says as I sweep the last bit of floor.
I yawn and nod. I’d noticed the prickly griffin was nicer today, but it’s still a far cry from friendly most of the time.
“He brought in the flowers. I can just imagine him frowning as he’s picking them.”
I chuckle. “Okay, that is an adorable image. Probably mumbling to himself about how ridiculous it is, but doing it anyway.” I glance at the cherry can full of the flowers. “It’s sweet.”
“It’s strange for him, but I’ll take it. He’s been off a few months. More melancholy than usual, but I think you brightened him right up.”
“Dunno, but he’s brightened my day.” I put the broom and dustpan away in the break room and rejoin Wick at the counter. “I like it here. I like the people. The job. You. Even grumpy Talon.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty great, if I say so myself. But obviously I’m biased.”
“I’m gonna head out.” I yawn so wide my jaw pops.
“Get some good sleep tonight. You looked exhausted all day.”
“Got stuff to do first, then that’s the plan.” That’s absolutely not the plan. If I close my eyes, the Winter Court pops up. I don’t want to think about it or Lord Yelling and why the hell he’s infiltrated my dreams. It’d be a good idea to see if Lark would intervene like Talon had suggested, but Lark doesn’t know the politics like I do. I don’t want to drag him into it. I could ask one of the demons to pop in and talk to my mother, but I don’t want to drag one of my friends into it or my mother. This is such a mess.
I chose to walk around, though the humidity makes it so annoying to exist outside. If I go to bed, I’ll see Lord Yelling and I just want sleep. Why did he wait so long before starting this weird campaign? Surely he knows I can’t go back to the Fae lands. What’s his plan?
Lord Yelling was always one of my better patrons. He treated me with respect until I rejected his proposal of companionship. He’d been so cordial, giddy even. Then I rejected him. The memory is still sharp and clear in my mind since it was such a contrast to his usual self.
I brush Lord Yelling’s long olive green hair. It’s lovely and silky, but I don’t want to do this for eternity.
His gray eyes met mine in the vanity mirror. This is it. I let out a soft breath. He holds up a hand to stop me from my task. My heart pounds so hard I have to fight back nausea.
He turns to me and takes my hand.
“Wren.”
My stomach tumbles. I should want this, but I don’t. I don’t want to be anyone’s arm candy. Look at me, I won Wren.
“I enjoy our time together.”
I lick my lips and swallow. “As do I.” It’s not a lie, he’s a gentleman, older, knows what he wants. But he’s not who I want to spend my life with.
He pulls a thin box from inside his jacket. My stomach flops. Of course he’d want a collar. Is it a chain? Is it leather with his name pressed into it?
“I’d like for you to be my companion.”
