Chapter 12 #2
“That’s also fine. We have no issues with near nudity. Just full –”
“No, it is not!” I say, even as a pool of heat blossoms in my belly, shooting straight down to my pussy.
I clench my thighs together as I think about half-naked fairies.
One fairy hunk in particular. “But, uh, out of curiosity,” I say, ignoring the fact that my friend is still stuck behind me, “does Richard often walk around with a semi – er, I mean semi-nude?”
There is a heavy pause. “You have one minute to finish changing.”
I’m not sure if I’m annoyed or relieved by his answer.
When Fabia kicks the wall, I freeze.
“What is that?”
My eyes widening, I blurt, “Fabia’s on her period! That was a clot –” Idiot! That wouldn’t have made a noise!
“Er... a clot that dropped onto… my foot! And caused me to jump…” Ah! I need a thumping noise!
“And, um… uh… um… my… my arm smacked her in the face! Because I was so, you know, shocked… and grossed out.” But how could it have possibly hit my foot?
“It was my fault,” I continue quickly. “I shouldn’t have stuck my bare foot in between her legs, but I didn’t want her blood all over the floor.
She bleeds a lot, you know? It was a very big clot.
Absolutely massive. And letting it drop onto the floor wouldn’t have been polite, and we’re guests and – well, we’re prisoners – well, ex-prisoners.
Well, I am the only ex-prisoner. I’m not sure what Fabia is.
But um, anyway, we are polite guests slash ex-prisoners…
” I trail off, really hoping that is enough information.
Lying does not settle well in my stomach.
A good brownie never lies, and I’ve just thrown out a lot of them.
The echoing silence frays my nerves. I twist my hands, waiting anxiously for him to answer.
Right as I’m about to ask if he believes me, a massive thud slams into the door. My eyes widen as I scramble back.
This is why you should never lie!
“Fabia, we have a problem!” I nearly shout.
The thud comes again. The door groans on its hinges, but the towels hold it in place. A flood of relief washes through me, only to be quickly dammed as the door comes crashing down on the third round.
My jaw drops to the floor as he lowers his foot and steps inside. His eyes instantly rise to Fabia’s body, her legs still sticking out of the vent.
“She jumped up there out of sheer embarrassment,” I croak. “She’s not trying to escape, I swear.”
Dear gods, I am going to Niflhel. A good brownie never lies, and I’ve gone and done it again.
Ignoring me, Nicholas spreads his wings and rises into the air. He hovers behind her. But when she kicks out at him, he swerves to the side.
“If you hit me,” he growls, “you will stay up here until you starve enough to slide out yourself.”
I gulp.
Fabia is bloody stubborn.
When he touches her hip, she kicks him again.
He grunts, ready to leave her, and I call out, “I won’t get married without her!”
He glares at me but doesn’t comment. Gritting his teeth, he turns to her again.
“Do not make me gas the fucking vent,” he says as he dodges another kick.
Her legs start to shake, so I’m pretty sure she’s getting tired. Maybe in an hour or so, she’ll let him grab her. I look around the room. “Shall I get some massage oil?” I ask, wondering if they’re at least cultured enough to have that.
Or maybe a book to read. I am absolutely certain this is going to take a while.
Glancing down at me, he scowls. His face twists into an ugly mess, and I instinctively take a step back. Feeling the burn of my cheeks, I raise my hands to my face to cool them down.
“Sorry,” I whisper, but it’s drowned out by his curse.
“For fuck’s sake. We don’t have time for this.” Ignoring the sharp kick of her legs, he grabs one ankle and then the other. His wings flapping fast behind him, he powers back and pulls.
She slips straight out. He fumbles in the air, clearly not having expected it to be that easy. As she swings low, her head aiming for the ground, he tosses her up into the air and wraps his arms around the back of her knees before she can fall again. He holds her tightly against him.
Fabia’s head lies between his legs. She cranes her neck to glare at me.
Grinning broadly, I take a step back.
Without a word, Nicholas swings her in his arms so he can cradle her against his chest. He flies down gently. She doesn’t tell him thank you when he puts her on the ground.
Rude.
My arms twitching awkwardly at my sides, I decide to break the tension. “So… period pains, am I right? They can make even the sanest person do crazy things.”
“She’s not on her period!”
“I’m not on my period!”
They yell at the same time.
Holding my hands up, I back away. “Thank gods for that. You two are crazy enough.”
She marches towards me, but before she can say a word, Nicholas cuts in, “Walk. No more wasting time.”
“Okay, okay,” I say.
Clenching his teeth, he gestures towards the doorway.
I grab my blue slip as I walk past and pull it over my head.
Stepping over the splintered door, I enter the hall.
I turn around to ask Fabia if she’ll be my maid of honour.
She already agreed fourteen years ago, but I’m so excited, I have to ask again.
I’m about to get married.
To a hot hunk of a man.
And then we’re going to have sex.
Yes, please!