Page 29 of Fairies Never Fall

“Tell him yourself. There’s a staff meeting tonight after closing, if Your Highness would stoop to join us.”

I open my mouth to decline, but something stops me. “Will Ezra be there?”

“He’s part of the staff.” Orion shrugs. “He thinks he’s done something to offend you. I tried to tell him that’s just how your lot are. Cold and uptight. Except when it comes to the things that matter, like Lilian and the other wildlings. Right?”

I don’t let my dismay show on my face. “Of course.”

Orion is right. For their sake, I should be present. Surely one meeting in Ezra’s presence won’t set me back. I can be exactly as Orion said — aloof.

It doesn’t happen that way at all. Ezra’s face lights up as soon as he sees me and I thaw instantly.

“I saved you a spot.” He gestures me over.

The staff room is almost full, and the only space is next to him on the couch. Completely incapable of saying no to his face, I end up squished between his side and the arm of the couch, my whole body throbbing with warmth and satisfaction. He turns to me and his expression falters.

“Is everything okay?”

“I wasn’t upset with you,” I murmur, unable to keep it in. “I was just…"

I falter, not sure what to tell him.On the verge of begging you to never let go?

His hand lands just above my knee and he squeezes through the silky fabric of my pants. Like before, tingles spread from the spot.

“You don’t need to explain yourself. I just missed seeing your face.”

The tingles explode into butterflies that rush through me. I gulp the drink someone sets in front of me, needing something to do with my hands.

Ezra takes his hand away once the meeting starts, but my whole body still buzzes from his proximity. I can hardly pay attention to what’s being said. His heat seeps into me like the most potent riigan wine and I can’t keep my eyes from drifting shut.

Slowly, the chatter fades.

Gentle shaking wakes me. I startle upright at the touch. “Don’t —!”

“It’s okay.”

Of course.I slump in relief. It’s Ezra looming over me, not another monster.

Then embarrassment blooms hot. Did I fall asleep on him?

“I’m sorry.” I rub my eyes. “I’m just so tired.”

“Not a problem.” Ezra gives me a small, warm smile that makes me shiver. “Maybe we should get you to bed.”

The staff have scattered and pizza boxes sit open around the room. It’s long past time for me to leave. I’m not sure I caught a single word of the actual staff meeting — I must have fallen asleep immediately.

“‘M fine. I need to stay awake.”

In truth I’d probably sleep just fine, but I can’t shake the irrational fear that the nightmares will come back.

Ezra holds out a hand. “C’mon, sweets. You look exhausted again. Or still.”

I slot my hand into his and let him pull me up, and he urges me toward the stairs. It’s hard not to let him steer me. A deep heaviness sinks into me and I can’t stop leaning into him, like a flower seeking the sun. My head is too foggy to be awkward about it.

He pauses at the top of the staircase. “Which room is yours?”

“End of the hall,” I mumble.

I expect him to leave me, but instead he follows me to the door.

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