Page 98 of Faerie Hunted

A true friend.

I could be myself around her.

Tears stung the corners of my eyes as I glanced form side to side checking the bay laurel bushes for the familiar flutter of wings.

“Elfwaite?” I called out.

I straightened and stepped out of the way of a frustrated mother pushing a stroller with two squabbling children belted inside. Once they passed, I let out a breath and stepped off the path entirely. Leaves crunched underfoot.

“Elfwaite, are you here?”

Further into the buttery gloam, I saw nothing and heard less, but at least the toddlers’ screams faded. I blew out a breath and almost screeched myself when a tiny purple-skinned pixie flew in front of my nose.

“Tavi! Oh my goodness! I never thought I’d see your face again!”

There was no hugging without squashing her. Elfwaite was only four inches tall and her voice as soft as the hint of a breeze through a flower. But I held up my index finger for her to wrap her arms around and the second she made contact, the tears sprang free.

“I’ve missed you so much,” I gulped out. “You have no idea.”

“Where have you been? You just disappeared on me! One minute you’re here, running away from your own birthday party, and then nothing.” Her nostrils flared delicately and her eyes shone with ire. She slapped at my skin but I felt nothing. “Do you have any idea how worried I was?”

“Do you have any idea how rare it is to see a pixie in this land?”

I shouldn't have been surprised that Laina followed me. But it sure shocked me to hear the awe in her tone.

I cupped one hand protectively around Elfwaite’s madly fluttering wings and glanced over my shoulder. Unsure what to say.

“Your Majesty.” Elfwaite was breathless. She broke away from my finger and sketched a bow in midair, her wings working overtime. “It’s my honor to be in your presence.”

I cleared my throat. “Her family left Faerie a hundred years ago.”

“The great Pixie War,” Elfwaite clarified. “I was born in the human lands.”

“She helped me learn about Faerie,” I added. “We met by accident. A great accident.”

“Pixies and wolves, even half-wolves, have never been friends before.” Livvy stepped up beside Laina. Her gaze remained shadowed. She stared between the two of us.

I scrambled off my knees to face the two moms. “She was the best friend I had growing up and nicer to me than any of my supposedkind.” I’d defend her no matter what happened.

Laina held up her hands to show she meant no harm. “It’s merely curiosity.” She stared at the two of us with her head tilted to the side. “An interesting twist of fate, one might say.”

“I’m sorry I ran off.” I pried my attention away from them, focusing entirely on Elfwaite. “I shouldn't have left you out in the cold that way. I should have found a way to write.”

“What happened?” she whispered, casting furtive glances back at the Queen of Faerie. “Why are you with the queen? And who is that other woman?”

Her little body vibrated against mine as she rested on my palm. As it always did, the magic sizzled and cracked between us, as real as it had ever been, and the constriction in my chest lightened.

“It’s a really long story.”

“As long as the story of why you’re back now?With the queen?” She’d repeated it for emphasis.

A laugh got trapped in my throat. “Yeah, exactly. You know I have a habit of keeping strange company.”

“But it’sthe queen, Tavi. She’s not your run-of-the-mill friend.”

“I know. And I promise I’m going to tell you everything. Right now, we could use your help.”

Elfwaite blinked. “Anything. You say the word and I’m there.”

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