“The thing is, I liked all the planning. It’s not the place or the parties that made meflare up—”
“You were not taking care ofyourself.”
“Exactly, and that wasn’t Eclipsica’s fault.” I sigh. “Like, if that was the life we wanted? Cool, it would be amazing. But damn, was I ignoring every sign of burnout, and being mean to my body was not my best choice, especially when I should have been focusing on you.”
“I should have taken notice.”
“You were kinda busy.”
“Still.”
“Nope. Next time I play party planner with your mother, we are enlisting more help, and we are starting way further in advance than a week.”
“Next time?”
“I don’t know. I know it’s not easy to go back and forth, but like, there were parts of it that were fun, right?”
“I suppose I did not mind twirling you around the dance floor,” he muses, flashing the toothy grin that I love.
“Yeah,” I say. “We do fit together pretty well,don’t we?”
“Especially here …together.”
“Sure you don’t want to run off and rule akingdom?”
“Truly, I do not think it was ever my want—only the only path I was given.” He backs away, turning so we’re facing each other. “You have given me so much more toexplore.”
“More to explore…” I muse, looking at the space around us. The good memories here outweigh the bad, but maybe now that we’re both winged fae, something with higher ceilings might be worth exploring in the future. Somewhere where monster hunters, summoning spells, and portals are a thing ofthe past.
Just not today.
Suddenly, I catch a wisp of blue hair outside the window.
“Holly…” I groan, letting my head fall intomy hands.
“I will tell her to take her leave,” Moth grumbles. “After the way she deceived you, she is hardly a welcome guest.”
“I’m not sure she knew. I mean, she found the note and was warning me, right?”
“Heather.”Moth raises an eyebrow. “You are still too forgiving.”
“I know! Ugh!” I exclaim, kicking over a decorative basket holding extra blankets to watch them tumble to the floor. “You know what? I’m going to give her a piece of my mind.” He moves to allow me through, and I puff up like the angriest cupcake at the bakery.
“Do you seriously think you can just show up here?” I say, barreling through the door. I glance back, and Moth gives me an uncharacteristic thumbs up inapproval.
“No, I doubt I am welcome. I apologize.”
“Youwhat?”
“Apologize,” she says through gritted teeth.
“Yeah, I don’t think I heard you right.” Isn’t she here to beg Moth to come back? I freeze, and everything I wanted to say leaves me as if it’s been carried away with a gustof wind.
“I am sorry,” she says, shoving her hands in the pockets of her gown, looking sullen rather than apologetic.
“Well, you’ll have to say it a little louder because I’m not sure your brother wants to come out here andsee you—”
“I am seeking an audiencewith you.”
