21. Sedrick #2
“Thank goodness.” Peaches placed a hand on his chest. “I thought about calling, but when I spoke to Phil yesterday, he sounded good, so I didn’t think there should be any further problems, but when you showed up, I thought .
. . I’m not sure what I thought,” Peaches finished with flushed cheeks.
“It’s weird not seeing and speaking with Phil at night.
I’ve missed that since he’s been staying with you. ”
My wolf chuffed. Selfishly, I wasn’t sorry that Phil hadn’t been able to cozy up with Peaches at night like he usually did.
I liked having Phil at my place, and even if that didn’t continue, soon Peaches wouldn’t be at the boarding house either.
I was momentarily pleased by the idea until I thought about how lonely Phil would be.
Neither my wolf nor I liked that thought either.
I pushed my jealous thoughts of Peaches and Phil together to the side. I was counting on their close relationship for Peaches to help me with what I wanted to do for Phil. Clearing my throat and thoughts, I said, “Again, I’m sorry I worried you. I, uh . . . I actually came here to ask you a favor.”
“Oh!” Peaches’s height increased again, his wings beating furiously and pixie dust flying.
Thankfully I was upwind and avoided the sinus distress. Peaches twirled, and I remembered what I’d told Phil about it being instinct. I was beginning to think pixies simply couldn’t help it.
Flying a little closer, Peaches grinned.
His golden eyes were wide with an innocent wonder I’d seen in Phil’s grass-green irises.
Blinking rapidly, Peaches asked, “What can I do?” His mood dimmed, and his face crinkled.
“Is it about the gnomes? It’s just if it is, I’m not really sure there’s much more I can do. ”
“It’s not about the gnomes. It’s about Phil.”
Joyous light filled Peaches’s eyes again. “I’d do anything for Phil.”
I fought down the immediate growl. Phil was allowed to have friends.
Hell, I was happy he had friends. I just didn’t like the way Peaches had said that.
I believed Phil when he said Peaches was his best friend.
In all the time Peaches had fluttered around Phil when he’d been lying in my bed, I hadn’t seen an ounce of romantic interest. It was purely platonic, a softer version of my relationship with my brother, Will.
I could tell myself that as much as I wanted. Instinct—it was a damnable thing.
Focusing my attention on Peaches’s clothes, I again noted the fabric’s softness and how fragile it looked. The pixies I’d seen when we’d gone into town, the ones making fun of Phil, had similar clothing.
Peaches didn’t back up when I reached out and touched the hem of his shirt. “We discussed Phil’s clothing a couple of days ago,” I started.
Phil had been shocked when he’d opened up his duffle and found it filled with pink.
He’d started to ask me about it, but I’d simply told him I’d picked up his clothes and left it at that.
I’d left the house today with Phil standing in the doorway.
Shades of pink framed him like a perfect picture. Even so, it didn’t seem entirely right.
Peaches nodded hesitantly and answered simply, “We did.”
I pulled my hand back and tucked both hands behind my back. “I asked you about the cloth, and you told me it was all Phil could afford.”
“That’s right.” Peaches still sounded hesitant, but confusion had filtered in too.
“I’d, uh . . . I’d like to change that. Or at the very least, get him maybe one or two outfits made of pixie cloth.” I didn’t think that’s what it was called, but Peaches understood well enough.
“ Pixie cloth ? You mean spider silk?”
“Honestly, I’ve got no clue. That’s why I came to you.
I want to get Phil proper pixie clothes, something he can be proud of and comfortable in.
” I cocked my head to the side and stared at Peaches’s clothes.
The wind whispered through the cloth, moving it here and there.
It almost looked like a dance. It was difficult to see Peaches’s true form beneath it, which gave him an ethereal appearance.
I wanted that for Phil, too. Even if the fabric was easily torn and completely impractical.
Peaches’s smile was incredibly gentle and immensely pleased.
“There are different types of silk, but I think spider silk would be best for Phil and his duties with you and the children.” Peaches flew a little closer and held out the fabric for me to touch again.
“Try to slice through it with your claw,” he ordered.
I hesitated. “I don’t want to ruin your clothes, Peaches.”
“Trust me,” he grinned, “you won’t.”
I huffed and grumbled something about stubborn, idiotic pixies and did as I was told. I scraped a claw against the fabric and . . . nothing. I scratched harder, and then I tried to pierce it with my claws. Again, nothing.
“What in the Moon Goddess’s name is this?” I lifted the silky fabric, and it rippled through my fingers like water.
“Spider silk,” Peaches proudly answered. “Just like pixies, it’s tougher than it looks. It’s also pricey, but it’s worth it. Clothing made out of it lasts forever.”
“I can see why.” I released the shirt, and Peaches flew a little farther away. “And this is something Phil would like?”
Peaches nodded rapidly, and his golden hair danced in the wind. “He’d love it.”
My wolf rumbled in pleased satisfaction. “Good. You know what he’d like better than me and where to get it. Would you mind placing the order?”
“I’d be happy to,” Peaches readily agreed. “I’ll need to purchase the fabric from another store. Petal’s Posh Pants should have Phil’s measurements. They’ve made clothes for him before.”
“All right. Sounds good. Please tell them to contact me, and I’ll pay the cost.”
Peaches fluttered with uncertainty. “It might be expensive.”
“It’s fine.” I waved away Peaches’s concern. This time next week, money will never be a concern again. Other concerns would take its place, but that was a worry for another day.
I started to turn to leave but thought of something and said, “Pink.”
“What was that?” Peaches asked. He’d started to fly away too.
“Pink. That’s my only stipulation. I don’t care what shade or combination of shades, but it needs to be pink.”
Peaches’s smile was so brilliantly wide and pleased, all I could see were teeth. “What other color would I possibly pick for Phil?”
With that, Peaches flew off. I didn’t think I imagined the extra pixie dust floating through the air or the way the trees reached out to greet it before it disappeared.
Peaches was right. Where Phil was concerned, there could be no other color besides pink.