“I offered,” I say.
“I know. I just don’t think this is the best solution,” Gabe says.
Wren sighs and fists his hands. “I know, but it’s the best one for now. Talon and Wick are working on new treats for the Summer Festival and I don’t want to distract Talon from that. If he goes to the Fae lands, I’m afraid something might happen.” He’s pink and his breathing comes harsh. “Lord Yelling is good at manipulation and I got him banished from the Winter Court.”
“You’re holding out on your stories,” Sparkle says.
“It’s not exactly something I wish to remember,” Wren bites out harsher than I’ve ever heard him talk.
Sparkle mumbles an apology and goes back to his coffee. Sometimes the cat shifter sticks his foot in things, but I know he’s a good guy and one of Wren’s best friends.
“I’m just stressed about the dreams, but with Talon agreeing to spend the night, I should be able to sleep just fine. After the Summer Festival, if I’m still having problems, I’ll rethink the whole sending someone to fight my battles in the Fae lands. Until then...” He shrugs and doesn’t finish.
“Just say the word.” I lift my mug for more coffee.
Soon everyone is awake and agrees to help Sparkle clean the Boots house.
I find myself having fun as the six of us complete each task. With so many, we’re done pretty quickly.
“Thank you, everyone.” Sparkle’s tail swishes behind him. “I can’t even begin to think about how to repay you.”
“No repayment needed,” Beau says.
“Exactly,” Gabe says. “We like helping our people, right?”
We all nod. I love being included in the group. While baking is life, I don’t know how to express how today made me feel. My griffin soars he’s so happy and I want him this happy all the time. “I enjoyed myself.” Good tunes, good convos, getting to know these guys. Just ten out of ten, no notes.
I’m sweaty after the deep clean, but a good kind of sweaty. “I’m gonna head home to wash up,” I say.
Wren rushes over to me. “Would you like to have dinner together? Or we can go take a walk in the garden? The wood nymph is performing at sundown.”
“Yes, to both, but I need to do some laundry. Meet you at your place?”
“Perfect.” Wren stands on tiptoes and presses a kiss to my cheek.
We all file out of the Boots house except for Sparkle. He waves as we all leave. Wren takes my hand in his and it feels so right.
15
WREN
I don’t know why I’m so nervous about being with Talon now that he said yes to dating. Tonight is our first official date and butterflies flutter in my stomach. I haven’t felt this way since the first time I had to entertain someone, and that was a different kind of flutter.
I know Talon isn’t gonna care if I’m all dolled up or not, but I do this for myself. I want to look beautiful for the one man that has given me butterflies in my stomach.
Talon is usually so silent, and I know he doesn’t care what I look like. He wants to be in my presence, and I want to be in his sometimes grumpy presence.
I don’t know that he understands that there are people that want to be his friend. I hope he didn’t feel weird about me and the guys including him in our extra festivities last night. It was my idea, and the guys went with it. I don’t think anyone had a problem. Everyone except for me and Sparkle has partners, but everyone’s partner is okay with them hanging out with people.
I mean, that’s a giant red flag when a partner restricts who they can hang out with. Because what do you mean there are people out there whose partners don’t let them do as they wish? Seems a little messed up, if you ask me. But honestly, that’s howthe Fae court works sometimes. If you have a partner or you’re a companion, you’re not allowed to socialize unless your partner says it’s okay. In some ways, I’m glad I’m not part of the Fae court anymore. I’m glad I have the ability to decide what I want to do with my life, but I still haven’t decided what my life looks like.
Is it really getting up early to sell pastries? I don’t hate it, and I quite enjoy seeing Talon every day, even if it’s only been a few days of this job. It’s a fairly easy job, and I don’t hate the work. I don’t hate seeing the people of Hex. I haven’t really socialized outside of my friends, so meeting everybody in Hex that comes in has been a treat.
I’m tempted to message Sparkle, see what he says to wear, but I think I should probably decide on my own. It’s not like I don’t have any fashion sense, but I’m used to Fae clothing and Fae beauty standards. So when I cut my hair, that was a huge difference compared to the Fae lands. I really,reallylove having shorter hair. The undercut makes me feel more masculine than long hair ever did. Not that I think long hair is unmasculine on men or male presenting people. I just didn’t feel like it was ever me because it was forced on me.
Then there was all the silk clothing. Not really my style. I quite enjoy leather, but trying to shimming my way into it is not my favorite.
I do wonder if Talon likes me for me, or if I’m just someone from a Fae court that’s interested, but I don’t think that’s him. I think he is genuine at all times, and he doesn’t know how to be fake.
