14. Talon
TALON
Wren looks well rested for once. “How did you sleep?” I ask.
“Surprisingly well, not one nightmare of Lord Yelling and the Winter Court.” He flutters around the kitchen, pouring coffee into mugs.
I take the offered mug and drink it down. Wren looks as if I did something wrong.
“What?”
“You drink your coffee plain?”
I shrug and finish the mug. “I don’t like all the fancy extras.”
“But it’s so bitter without all the good stuff,” Sparkle says as he pours the good stuff into his mug, making the liquid pale brown.
Wren turns to me. “So... Before you go to the Fae lands to defend my honor, I have a new theory I’d like to test first.” He bats his lashes and cups one of the mugs before taking a sip.
I nod. “What do you have in mind?”
“Sleep with me?”
I can’t wrap my head around the request. Sleep with Wren?
Sparkle chokes on his next drink, and he splutters coffee everywhere. Wren grabs a dish towel and starts mopping up the mess.
“Actually, either one of you, really.”
“Why do you say that?” Gabe says as he joins us at the counter.
Lark and Beau stay nestled in their blankets, completely unaware of the conversation.
“I realized that at Lark’s place I never dreamed of Lord Yelling and after having no Lord Yelling dreams last night, I’m guessing he doesn’t infiltrate my mind when I’m around others. So if someone stays with me, I don’t have to worry.” Wren smiles before taking a drink. “Sounds perfect to me.”
“I’m always good for a sleepover.” Sparkle’s shoulders drop. “But right now, it’s a bunch of end of semester projects I’m helping the kittens with.”
Wren looks at me. “Anything preventing you from staying over?”
My mouth opens and closes. “Not really?”
“Plus,” Gabe says, “You’ll be a lot closer to the bakery.”
I swallow and nod. “I can sleep on the couch.”
Sparkle groans and rolls his eyes. “Such a gentleman.”
Wren chuckles while shaking his head. “Talon can sleep where he’s comfortable. I’m just glad he agreed.” He gives me a wink before turning to work on another pot of coffee.
Sparkle sighs. “I have to head back home. The kittens will be waking up soon and mama was planning on taking them to the community garden to run down their energy. Which means I’m stuck cleaning the house while they’re gone.”
I’m feeling generous with my time since it’s a Sunday and I hate trying to fill my time. “I can help? I don’t have anything else going on. I just need to pack a few clothes, but otherwise, I’m free.”
“How long do you think you’ll use this solution to the Lord Yelling problem?” Gabe asks.
Wren shrugs and spins away from us again. “Indefinitely?” He cringes when Gabe shakes his head at the answer.
“That’s not a solution. That’s a band-aid and not a great one. What if Talon wants to go back to his place? He’s lived there for years. I can’t imagine him wanting to give it up because you don’t want to ask someone to go talk to the Fae guy.”
“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.