I keep the descriptions of my own days vague, not wanting to reveal what I’m actually working on until it’s close to being done, then I’ll surprise him.
Tilly finishes dressing Rio and I head over to hold him while she gets Calliope ready.
“How’s the whole service vampire thing going?” Tilly asks.
“It’s so convenient. I almost can’t remember how difficult life was before I had my own personal sensor and attendant. It helps that he’s really nice to look at too.”
Arran has proved himself to be an invaluable asset to have around as a diabetic. Once he learned all my habits, how I test my levels and when I inject, he’s kind of become a service vampire to me.
He’s able to detect if my blood sugar is even a little too high or too low before I feel the onset of any symptoms. Knowing what I need, he’ll present me with the appropriate solution—either a snack or insulin.
Sharing the mental load that my illness brings with it has been kind of liberating, and it also makes me like Arran more than I planned on. A lot more.
Tilly comforts a fussing Lio, her voice strained as she says, “I’m glad your eye candy is helpful too.”
I furrow my brows as I move into her line of sight. “Girl, you’re grumpy. When was the last time you got laid?”
“I’m sorry,” Tilly sighs out, rubbing at her eyes. “I’m just so tired. And to answer your question, it’s been way too long. Every time Bodin and I think something can happen, one of the twins wakes up. And I’m just not feeling good in my body either. Usually I love my curves, but they’re different now and sit in new places. Don’t get me wrong though, I’m grateful for each one of them, especially because they helped bring Calliope and Orion safely into this world. Maybe I need to get used to my body again? Or maybe I need a night of some proper love and attention from Bodin? Not that I think I’m ready for rough sex, I just need some good loving and a good night’s sleep.”
“You should do that,” I state.
“How?”
I point at my chest with my free hand. “Hello? Arran and I can babysit.”
“You would?” Tilly asks, hope and relief already blooming in her face.
I sit down in front of her on the mat. “Of course. There’s two of us and two of them, and neither Arran nor I need a lot of sleep to function. Besides, it’s only for a night.” An even better idea blinks into my brain. “You and Bodin can make it a proper getaway. You can stay in one of the spare bedrooms in the castle and get some proper sleep while Arran and I come over here. And if you’re nervous about leaving the twins for an entire night, you know you can simply pop back next door at any point to check in on them.”
Tilly’s eyes brim with tears, one managing to sneak out and track down her face. “Are you serious? Don’t you want to talk it through with Arran first?”
Shaking my head, I wipe the stray tear away. “No need. I know Arran would love to help. Plus, the castle is huge andmy old wing is totally unused now. And if Arran’s not feeling particularly keen on the idea of babysitting, then I have my ways of persuading him.”
Tilly leans forward carefully and wraps me in a single-arm hug. “I’m so lucky to have you in my life.”
“Right back at you, neighbor,” I say, wiping at one more of her tears. “Now, let’s get going. I can’t wait to start the meeting and hear what everyone’s thoughts are.”
Sitting in The Singing Seahorse, I look around the gathered group here today. Tilly, Maisie, Nori, Marisol, Calixta, Beryl, Annamae, Peregrine, and Aurelius are all here after a very brief, very vague invitation from me.
Morning light pours in through the pub’s closed windows and paints the dark wood floors with a honey glow while gentle music plays through the speakers, ready to cover our hushed voices so our secrets can stay safely inside.
At my nod, everyone takes their seats in the loose circle arranged around mine, and I smile at Tilly as she watches Nori cradling Lio while Annamae rocks Rio.
This community really is something special.
Thankfulness fills my heart for each one of these creatures that I get to call my friends, excitement bubbling through my veins at what I’m about to share with them.
I clear my throat. “Thank you all for stealing away from your jobs and taking the time to be here. It means so much to me. Now, I’ve hinted at some aspects of my plan to most of you, hence why you’re here, but I’m ready to give you a fuller picture and, most importantly, get your input—and hopefully your help, too.”
Maisie rubs her hands together and wiggles her butt in her seat. “All this sneaking around is so fun. I love a good secret. Ren and I had so many secrets in the beginning of our relationship.”
Marisol bumps Maisie with her shoulder. “I don’t know how to break it to you, but that wasn’t much of a secret. Ren stopped wearing his glasses pretty soon after you arrived in Starry Hill.”
Grinning, Maisie says, “I’m always taking care of my man’s health.”
From across the circle, Calixta points a long black talon at me while her tail wraps around Beryl’s leg. “Audrey, I can guarantee whatever you’re planning, you’ve got our full support. You’ve always got good ideas, even the wild ones.”
I thump my giant leather binder onto my lap and I tap it twice before I dive right into my semiprepared speech. “So, a while ago we talked about everyone having an Arran story and that he’s done so much for the town and all of its residents, but we don’t know how to thank him properly. That got me thinking about planning an event or something where we could do that, but, as you all know, Arran hates the spotlight and wouldn’t want himself singled out.”
