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“You have,” she agreed. “But don’t hate yourself for it. Regret is wasted energy. Figure out how to make it right instead.” She flashed a smile at me. “Like how I saw the baby clothes and brought you here, knowing you’d find a better trade.”
I returned her smile, truly grateful for her help but still wishing for what couldn’t be.
“I miss the days of grocery stores. I’d simply run out and buy her a treat. Then again, she wouldn’t need a treat from me if we still had stores.”
“I have treats,” Azio said. “Who is little Greyly?”
“She’s a female child from Tenacity. Close to the same age as Cassie’s little girl,” Brooke said.
Azio grunted and left the table to retrieve a box of chocolate snack rolls from the cupboard.
“These are treats.”
I shook my head, and his gaze locked on me. The chili churned in my full belly, and my pulse jumped. But thankfully, my vision didn’t tunnel when his pupils narrowed on me. Not taking any chances, I looked down at the table.
“I can’t take those.” Trading was fine, but if anyone in Tenacity found out that I was taking handouts from the fey, it would cause trouble in so many ways. I didn’t want that kind of target painted on our house.
“Then, trade,” Brooke said. “Terri will clean up lunch in exchange for one of the packages inside that box.”
I quickly agreed and started collecting bowls at Azio’s grunt.
“Thanks for the meal, Azio, and for helping us out. And since it looks like you have everything under control here, Terri, I’m going to take Solin home. We have some drawing to do.”
She’d barely gotten out the last word when Solin tossed her over his shoulder and strode for the door. Brooke laughed the whole way, waving to me just before the door closed behind them.
Shocked at how quickly she’d left me, I blinked at the door then slowly turned toward the two strange fey lingering by the table.
They both watched me closely.
Azio tilted his head as he studied me.
I started to wheeze in air and spots danced in my peripheral.
Focusing on the stack of bowls in my hands, I hurriedly placed them in the sink then gripped the counter.
I tried to think calming thoughts but could feel the panic taking over and slowly slid to the floor. A hand touched the top of my head.
“You are safe, Terri. I won’t let you hurt yourself.”
I nodded just before I went under.
When I came to, strong arms held me close to a hard chest. I turned my head into the warmth and did my best not to think. Water was running nearby, and I could smell soap. Both were comfortingly normal.
Something rubbed against the top of my head—a nose?—and the chest of my barer expanded slowly.
“She smells good.”
“She does.”
My eyes popped open, and my gaze locked onto the fey standing by the sink. He glanced at me and quickly looked away.
“She’s awake.” He reached into the water and started to wash a bowl.
“I’m supposed to do that,” I said.
He nodded, rinsed the bowl, and stepped aside.
“Are you feeling well enough?” Azio asked, his chest rumbling against me as he spoke.
