Chapter 25
Chapter
Twenty-Five
Atickling in my nose stirred me awake, my lids opening to Bitzy’s fingers.
Chirp. The noise sounded like “good morning.”
“Bitzy.” I batted away her hand, noticing a lazy smile on her face. “Oh shit.” I peered around. For once, it was just her; Opie was absent. My gaze drifted over the bed, finding myself alone, the bed and pillow still imprinted with Warwick’s outline, suggesting I hadn’t dreamed he slept next to me.
Exhaling, the feel of him still throbbed through me—the memories of what happened in the shower, the images of this huge violent man washing my hair . . . my body.
Chirp.
My attention returned to the imp, her hand holding something as she munched.
“Bitzy, what are you eating?”
She peered down at the item, then peered up at me innocently.
“Is that a mushroom?”
She rolled in her lips coyly, her eyes huge, her ears lowering to the side, and she giggled.
“Oh hell, Bitzy.” I groaned, palming my face. “Are you high again?”
Her smile showed the few teeth in her mouth. How could she be so adorable and unsettling at the same time?
I fought the grin curling my own mouth, trying to sound angry. “Give it here.” I held out my hand.
Chirp. She shook her head, tucking the piece of mushroom away.
“Bitzy. Now.” My hand opened for her to put it there.
Her brow furrowed.
“Noooow.”
She drew the piece out again, but instead of giving it to me, she shoved the whole thing in her mouth, her cheeks stuffed like a squirrel as she chomped on the huge piece.
“Oh, just you wait, young lady. When you come down from your high, you won’t be looking so proud of yourself then,” I chided.
“Phhhfffttt.” She stuck her tongue out at me, bits of chewed mushroom flying out.
“Nice.” I pushed back the covers, climbing out of bed, still stiff and sore, but I was starting to feel much better. I swore the orgasm was a miracle cure. Knowing Warwick, it probably was.
I still felt the aftermath of him, and now I craved more. Soon I’d become an addict like Bitzy, but it wouldn’t be mushrooms I was stuffing into my mouth.
“Come on.” I nodded to her, and she scaled my arm up to my shoulder, not flipping me off once. Her pleasant side felt all wrong, as if my day was already starting off upside down. “I need coffee.”
After going to the bathroom, I headed for the common room, sensing the man my body ached for nearby.
“Fuck, Warwick. You can’t leave. Not with everything going on.” Ash’s voice stopped me, stilling me in the doorway.
Bitzy made a small sound, and I put my finger up to my mouth to quiet her. She mimicked me, her long finger at her lips, her eyes wide.
“She needs you. This is some crazy, scary shit, and you want to walk out on her?”
My gut dropped, terror, hurt, and anger bubbling in my belly like a cauldron.
“I’m not walking out on her. I just need to deal with some things. I won’t be long.” His voice was like a drug, washing over my skin, leaving me high and hooked. “I need to move them, make sure they’re safe. After what I did, Killian will have men searching for them.”
Searching for who?
“Warwick . . .”
“Ash, I will do everything to protect them. He deserves to grow up happy. Safe. The opposite of what I had.”
“I know, but what am I gonna tell her?”
“For fuck’s sake, you act as if this is some horrendous burden.” A wood bench squeaked as it slid over the wood floor. “I’ve seen you around her, so don’t act like you wouldn’t mind me staying away permanently.”
“Screw you, man. You know I’m a flirt, and I won’t deny there is something about her that draws me, but you made your position pretty clear last night. In my bed, may I add.”
“Nothing happened.”
A strangled laugh broke from Ash. “You’re an idiot and a bad liar.
I could feel you guys from over two miles away.
I kept having to go out farther, trying to find a distance where I could no longer feel the intensity between you two.
You know what that kind of energy does to a tree fairy?
I was so tense, I had to go to Kara’s to take the edge off. ”
“Kara? You two still fuck buddies?”
“It’s convenient. River fairy-tree fairy sex exchange.” Water fairies were another group who were constantly sexually charged, not that many fae weren’t, but I guess the current of the water, the energy and life in it, riled them up. “But you’re missing my point.”
Bitzy started to sway in my hair, humming to herself.
“Shhh,” I tried to shush her.
Chiiiirrrpppp. She batted at the air, falling over and hitting the ground with a thump.
A strange giggling chirp burst from her, her little legs and arms kicking as if she was swimming.
“Thanks, Bitz.” I frowned as Warwick and Ash turned in my direction, forcing me to step out.
“Is she high again?” Ash’s look went to a jar on the table, his mouth dropping. “That little shit! She stole my mushrooms again!”
“There are pieces on your pillow if you want some.” I motioned over my shoulder, progressing farther into the room, my gaze running over Warwick.
Dressed in dark cargo pants, T-shirt, and boots, his expression was detached, but his attention traced every inch of my skin, covering the tight tank and stopping on the tiny knickers I didn’t bother covering up.
Everybody here had already seen me naked.
The feel of his energy landed right between my legs, causing my pussy to pulse in response, like it knew where his focus stopped and was screaming out for more attention.
My jaw locked down, and I guarded myself against the surge of desire plunging through me.
Ash pulled his attention from Bitzy still wiggling around on the floor, taking me in. “How are you feeling?” He rose to his feet.
“Amazing!” I exclaimed, my arms tossing out.
“Really?” He tilted his head, his eyes wide in awe.
My face and voice went flat, my arms folding. “No. I feel like crap.”
He grinned, shaking his head, something about his smile making me shift on my feet.
“What?”
“Nothing.” But the same knowing smile stayed on his lips as he looked back at Warwick. “I’ll get you some toast and tea.”
“Coffee?” I could hear pleading in my voice.
“Uh, I’ll check, but don’t think so.” Ash went to the kitchen, busying himself with my breakfast.
I folded my arms tighter, glancing at my toes. “So . . . you’re leaving?”
Warwick pushed back, rising from the bench, gathering his jacket and bag on the chair.
“Seriously?” I shook my head, anger dancing at the edges of my tone. I should have known better, taken “just for tonight” literally.
Warwick moved in front of me, his body almost pressed against mine.
“I have to.” The scents of rich woods and soap filled my nose, making me want to flatten myself into him.
“For a week or so. Try to stay out of trouble.” He stared down at me, but I felt an aloofness this morning.
A line he was trying to redraw after last night.
“It’s not like you can’t contact me anytime. ”
My response was to step away, giving him free access to the door.
He didn’t move. “You’ll be safe with Ash.”
I nodded.
“Last night—”
“Nothing happened.” I cut him off. “Right?” I lifted an eyebrow.
I had never been a jealous, bitchy girl. Even when Caden dated all those other girls, most of them I was friendly with. I had no idea where or to whom Warwick was going, but it caused my shoulders to bristle, resentment spiking out of my spine.
“Have a safe trip,” I said flatly.
His mouth opened, then shut, his jaw rolling. He huffed as he stepped over Bitzy, stomping out the exit and slamming the door.
Just like that, he walked out. Left me.
Again.
I guess it was an upgrade he didn’t sell me back to Killian, but his aloofness still cut deep, reminding me the only person I could really count on was me.
“Fuck you,” I whispered at the door, but I knew he felt and heard it.
I turned around to the kitchen, picking up Bitzy and heading for the table, setting her down on some cotton balls. “Where’s Opie?”
“Oh, he’s found my trunk.” Ash pointed to the far corner. The lid was open.
“What’s in there?” I asked right when Opie popped out.
“Fishy!”
“Oh, gods.” I rubbed my eyes.
Opie had designed a knee-length skirt out of bay leaves, which fanned out as he twirled around.
His chest was bare but painted with dark crimson markings.
On his back were large fairy wings made from dried calendula flowers and leaves; his eyelids were painted the same berry red.
His beard was braided with leather ties and flowers, and on top of his head he wore a spray of lavender fanning out like a crown.
“Wow.” I blinked.
“I know, right?” He scrambled onto the table. “This has to be one of my best.” He spun again, the leaves dancing in the air.
“Like you are ready for a ball.” In Carnal Row.
Chirp. Bitzy laid on her back, reaching at things in the air that weren’t there.
“No, she wasn’t speaking of that kind of ball.” Opie huffed at her. “And that was a misunderstanding too.”
Chirp.
“It was!” Opie stomped his foot. “You came in at the wrong moment. It wasn’t what it looked like.”
“Toast.” Ash came around, setting a plate and cup in front of me.
“Oh, thank gods.” I didn’t want to know any more about this “ball” incident.
“Sorry, only tea.” Ash slid down next to me, leaning his back against the table.
“Suddenly, Halálház isn’t looking so bad.” I smirked, taking a bite of my butter and jelly toast, trying not to moan as it melted on my tongue. “At least there they served coffee.”
“I could see how it might make you want to go back,” he teased back. “It’s rough here.”
Shoving more bread into my mouth, I snorted at his comment.
“Can I?” He motioned to my wound.
At my consent, Ash unwrapped the gauze around my waist, sucking in sharply.
“I thought so,” he muttered, his fingers grazing my side.
“Thought what?” I looked down, toast getting stuck in my throat. The wound that had split open the night before was healed shut. As though the injury was weeks or even months old.