Page 64 of Solstice

“What’s going on? Ivy’s been calling me every five seconds, and I know Carter’s around here somewhere.”

There were a lot of things I should have told Ivy in the weeks after Poppy took me to see Marcus. But I didn’t. I continued to practice with her, and I encouraged her to train on her own, employing basic movie time travel rules like not interacting with any prior versions of us anddefinitelynot trying to change anything. So far, Poppy didn’t feel comfortable doing it without me, and I didn’t particularly enjoy going with her. It ripped my body apart, and I was but a lowly, fragile human.

“It’s more than that.” I tilted my head at her, debating whether I should tell her or let her find out on her own. “But you need to spill first.”

She rolled her eyes and groaned. “I’ve been practicing ever since we saw Marcus.”

“And?”

“I can control it.” She squinted up at me. “I can choose where and when I go.”

“Are you sure?” My plan relied on that. If she thought she couldn’t do it, I’d have to reassess and reevaluate.

“Yes, I’m sure.” She sounded indignant, and I swallowed down a laugh. Such an impudent little thing, she reminded me so much of myself when I was younger…and Ivy. “I can do it.”

“If you get scared?—”

“I won’t.”

“If you do, pull out. Come find me. Don’t keep going just because that’s what you promised.”

“I know.” She nodded. “We should tell the others.”

I took a deep breath, reminding myself Ivy and I had no boundaries between us. The next time she got in my head, she’d see this, and she’d know I’d been keeping it from her. She’d hate that I’d put her precious Poppy in harm’s way, even if Poppy insisted on doing it herself. She’d hate that I hadn’t asked or at least consulted her before going through with what was probably the dumbest thing I’d ever done. And I didn’t even want to think about what Carter would do.

Fuck it.

“Not yet.” I cleared my throat and glanced away, hoping she didn’t see the truth in my eyes.

“Then when?”

“I have to convince them to go along with it first, the wedding and the big showdown.”

She screwed up her features, seeming confused. “You really want me to do this?”

I nodded. “Yes, Poppy. It’s the only way to protect everyone. He has to believe it, understand? And no one else can know.”

Poppy nodded. “Now, your turn. Spill it.”

I grinned and rubbed a hand over her head. “Siobhan is at the house.”

Her big eyes turned the size of saucers and she smiled, giving me a solid shove. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Then she disappeared, and I knew she’d gone home to visit her long-lost friend. They were deep in conversation when I made it there myself, reminiscing about the old days. Poppy sat on Siobhan’s lap, laughing and hugging the older fairy.

Finn looked better when they dragged him up here, but still not back to perfect. Siobhan had been sure he’d be cured by now, but from the looks of him, I doubted he’d be back on his feet by our wedding. Donnelly lurked in the corner, sitting in a chair with his feet out on an ottoman in front of him, an old book open on his lap. He seemed deep in thought, but I knew he was well aware of everything in the room. He gave off that “hunter in the shadows” vibe, and I didn’t want to find out the hard way if he had fairy powers like Siobhan.

I went to find my own partners in crime, walking down the hallway to the spare bedroom Carter claimed when he was here. Finding it empty, I checked my room and Ivy’s before heading upstairs to the third floor loft.

Ivy sat at the desk at the far end, her laptop open in front of her, her shiny red hair twisted up on top of her head with a pencil. By the time I woke up this morning, she had long since been out of bed. I hadn’t had the chance to follow up with her, so I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and leaned down to kiss the side of her head.

“How’d you sleep?” I lingered on her ear, giving it an extra kiss so she’d understand my affection. I’d been too raw and emotional last night, so when I told her not to die on me, it bordered too close on baring my soul.

She whipped her attention to me and narrowed her eyes, pulling out of my hold. “What do you mean?”

The reaction made me pause because I hadn’t meant anything. “Did you get any rest?”

“Yes.” Ivy pushed to her feet, her features going calm and steady, the politician’s mask in place. “Did you?”

Something about her seemed off, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. Her guarded answers knocked at memories I hadn’t thought of in years. Ivy and I didn’t keep each other out. We were on the same side these days.

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