“Could you point me in the direction of Lark’s?” I explain my predicament and I swear a smile tips his lips. Not that I tell him the truth. I just tell him I’m challenging myself by not teleporting. Everyone knows I’m one of the rare Fae that can walk between realms, but I don’t want them to know just yet that ability has been ripped away from me.
“We walk right past. I’ll point it out.”
“Thank you, doll. You’re a lifesaver.”
Talon goes even pinker. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing to me.”
I get another grunt before we go back to silence. The rain continues, but it’s softer now than when I was unceremoniously dumped into Hex.
Hex is quiet so early in the morning, and I find myself loving it. The Winter Court always has someone bustling around. Whether servant or courtesan. I won’t have to deal with that any longer. No more entertaining anyone if I don’t want to. No more fuck marathons to keep a noble happy. No more dulling myself down to placate royals. I can be me.
But who the fuck is Wren?
“That’s the one.” Talon points out the yellow house with the pink trim. It’s so dainty looking and so Lark.
“Thank you again, Talon.” We wave as he continues on to Wick’s to start on the day’s baked goods.
I’ll have to tell Sparkle I saw the griffin without a shirt. Maybe even let him sniff the shirt.
Now that I’m at my destination, I tremble. Lark has made Hex his home as much as the demon realm and the Fae lands. But I know Hex is where he and Pike stay the most. It’s where all their—our—friends live.
I lift a shaking hand and knock. There’s a bark from the other side and scratching at the door. At least Frankie’s excited, even if she doesn’t know it’s me yet. I love this hellhound.
“Frankie, love, come away from the door so I can open it,” Pike’s voice rings out.
More barking. I plaster a grin on my face and try to will my breathing to calm.
The door unlocks and I have an armful of Frankie as soon as it opens.
“Hello, girl. How are you?”
Frankie keeps her hellfire extinguished, so she doesn’t burn me. Pike says she’s called a Dobermann, whatever that is. I just know she’s enormous and I love her.
“Wren?” Pike says my name and I look up. He looks freshly showered and his already red skin redder. His horns glisten in the porch light.
“Hey, can we talk? Is Lark around?” I look around the demon, searching for my brother.
Pike opens the door wider and Frankie follows me inside.
“Wren?” Lark comes around the corner and looks me over. His perfect pink hair is braided and wrapped around his head. “What happened? What’s wrong?” He glances to Pike before running to me and pulling me into a spine crushing hug.
He’s warm, and the scent of berries and honey comes off him. I push him away and step back. “I’m all dirty.” Now he is too.
“I don’t care.” Lark pulls me in again. “You need a hug.”
Pike lingers by the couch and holds Frankie’s collar to keep her from joining us.
“I got myself banished from the Fae lands.” The words are so soft I’m not sure Lark or Pike hear them until Lark pulls away to look in my eyes.
“What?” He whispers back. His perfect blue-gray eyes search mine.
“I—I finally asked to be released from my courtesan contract. I went through the proper procedure, all the loopholes and rules and everything. I thought I’d get a slap on the wrist and reassigned to a different job. I never thought.” I shake my head. “Never realized banishment was even an option for my request.” I look to the ceiling and will myself to keep the tears at bay. I’m stronger than this. The trembling’s back and I hate myself for the reaction.
Lark chews on his bottom lip. He takes my hand and leads me to the big ensuite bathroom connected to the main bedroom. “Wash up. I’ll set some clothes aside for you. They’ll be a little too big, but they’ll be comfortable. Then we’re going to Wick’sfor breakfast with the gang. Once your stomach’s full, we’ll figure out a plan.”
I nod. “A plan would be good. I hadn’t even began to think of one other than to get here.” My knees collapse.
