Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Avalon
I wake up with a smile on my face and a flutter in my chest.
For a moment, I just lie there, Sparrow tucked up against me, while I stare up at the ceiling and let the warmth from last night wrap around me like the fluffiest blanket in the world. Those kisses. The growls. Their looks, the ones that just seared into my very soul.
And then I remember what I said.
I giggle. Like, full-on squeaky, wiggle-under-the-covers giggle.
Can I stop calling you my fairy godmothers and just go with Daddy?
I actually said that.
And the best part?
They didn't freak out.
To be fair, I didn't freak out about the whole turn to stone during the day thing, but they still didn't pull away.
They didn't look at me like I was weird, broken, or too much. I'd only ever gotten that from Daddy Drè.
I press my palms to my flushed cheeks, giddy.
They were into it. For real. And now I can't stop thinking about it. Them. The way their arms felt around me.
And how safe I felt with them.
I want to see them again.
Right now.
And luckily, I don't have to wait.
I spring out of bed, still in my pajamas—rainbow-striped with fluffy pink unicorns on them—and throw my large fluffy robe on over the top.
Sparrow gets up with an annoyed huff and heads out of the room, probably in search of his breakfast. I snag my slippers, but end up kicking them off halfway up the stairs because they keep making me slip.
The manor is filled with morning light, streaking through the tall windows like it's lighting the path just for me.
By the time I reach the rooftop, my heart is pounding and my hair is wild, but I don't care.
They're there.
Jodrick, standing tall and noble, wings slightly flared behind him like he's keeping eternal watch. And Viraat, crouched in his spot, frozen in a scowl, like even stone couldn't stop him from looking intimidating.
"Hi, Daddies," I whisper, stepping closer. "Missed you."
They don't move, of course. But it doesn't matter. It's like I feel the bond between us.
I place a hand on Jodrick's arm, letting my fingers rest there for a moment. His stone skin is warm from the sunlight.
"I can't wait to see you," I tell him. Both of them. "But I'll be good for now, go on down, have my breakfast and see about sorting out the next room for the bed and breakfast."
I kiss Jodrick's cheek, right along his chiseled jawline, and then move to Viraat.
Even frozen in a perpetual glower, he's gorgeous.
"Even though you're my Daddy now, I'm still going to call you my fairy god-daddy," I inform him sweetly, imagining his fierce growl in response. Standing on tiptoe, I kiss the corner of his stone frown.
He doesn't flinch, doesn't reach. But I don't need him to. This is enough.
For now.
I step back, clasping my hands behind me and rocking on my heels.
"Alright, you two," I say brightly. "You do your statue thing. I'll see you later."
I blow a kiss their way before running back down the steps to the kitchen.
The warmth of the morning sun follows me through the corridors, but I can't help feeling a smidge wistful. Their faces are frozen in expressions of peace and anger, and I ache just a little knowing they can't really feel the way my lips lingered on their chiseled skin.
Still, I hum as I pad barefoot toward the library, cradling my favorite mug full of peppermint tea. The manor greets me with its usual creaks, like it's watching... waiting.
I swear it's happy.
I sink into the big plush settee, folding my legs under me and setting my mug on the side table. Grabbing the tablet, I press the call button for Daddy Drè.
His face appears a moment later—sleepy, bearded and smiling, like always.
"Well hey there, sunshine," he says with a yawn. "You're up and smiling very early in the morning. What's going on?"
Joy bubbles inside me. "I kissed someone!"
His eyebrows lift. "You what now?"
I grin. "Okay, fine. I kissed two someones."
He laughs, surprised but seemingly excited for me. "I didn't realize you were leaving much time for yourself to meet anyone in between all the fixing up of the manor and mooning over your fairy godmother."
A giggle bursts from my chest. "Actually..." I say before letting the laughter take over again. It takes me a few minutes to get control of myself before finally managing to focus back on Daddy Drè. "The someones are my fairy goddaddies."
His face pulls into a mask of confusion and worry. "Babygirl... are you telling me you kissed some people that snuck into your house to leave you little gifts? Are you safe? Should I phone the cops?"
I nearly fall over with laughter, while feeling all warm and fuzzy over his care.
"Oh! I'm safe, I promise," I rush to tell him. "I just..." I pause. "I don't know if I can tell you. I'll speak to them, and find out what I can tell you, okay? But I needed to tell you that there's a thing and that..."
After taking a deep breath, I push down the sudden onset of emotion. There's so much sadness that I wasn't expecting to feel.
"I love you, Dré," I say, voice thick. "You've been such a steady part of my life. You helped me understand who I am. That it's okay to want care, to need comfort. You made me feel safe when I didn't know how to ask for it."
His eyes glimmer behind the screen. "And I always will. You're my girl. You know that. No matter what changes."
I nod. "But I think it's time. To let you go. At least that part of our relationship." I swallow. "I don't think it would be fair to keep you as a Daddy when they could be my Daddies here."
He's quiet for a moment, then he nods. "I've always been worried this day would come. But I'm so grateful I could be a safe space for you to recoup, until you could spread your wings and fly."
My throat tightens. "You were so much more than that."
He smiles. "No matter what, I'll still be here. Just Drè. Your friend. You don't stop being family just because the title changes."
"Thank you," I whisper. "For everything."
"Now go be happy, babygirl. And come back tomorrow to tell me more, if you can."
When we hang up, I press my forehead to the laptop lid, letting the tears fall. Not sad tears, not really. Just full ones. Overflowing.
My heart is a little cracked open, but it's full of light.
Now I get to plan the dinner I'm going to have ready for my Daddies when they wake up.
I wipe my cheeks with the sleeve of my robe, sniffling a little even though I'm smiling.
It's a good ending. And a beautiful beginning.
The manor seems to agree, creaking softly as I move through it, like it's giving me a gentle pat on the back.
I tell it thank you, because I do think it listens, and I pad my way toward the kitchen with purpose.
If I'm going to have dinner ready for my Daddies when they wake up, I need to start planning now because I still need to fit in a trip to the market.
I grab a notepad from the drawer and begin jotting ideas. Maybe a roast chicken? Do gargoyles eat chicken?
Do they eat food?
Holy shit. I don't know enough.
Ugh!
Fine. Chicken. It's something hearty and homey. Mashed potatoes, green beans, and those soft dinner rolls that puff up like clouds in the oven.
And maybe I'll finally try my hand at making a sticky toffee pudding.
I giggle to myself and bounce a little on my toes. This is going to be amazing!
No.
It's going to be perfect.
Because tonight, I won't be eating alone.