Page 30 of Bianca and the Monsters

With fur and a tail that seem to have consumed too much caffeine and consequently can’t settle, Nico frowns. “Lady Bianca, please help me to understand your thinking. I believe that sometimes we all need to be alone and I’m concerned that violating Archie’s declared wishes isn’t the right decision.”

My throat becomes tight and I force myself to swallow over the lump now squatting in there. “Yeah, we all need to be left alone sometimes, but I think those times involve self-reflection, quiet solitude, time to find a new way of thinking or a different path to take.” Tears prick at my eyes. “I just met Archie, so definitely tell me if you think I’m wrong, but I think he’s trapped in shame, regret, and self-loathing—in which case, being alone, away from his family, fearing that he’s brought the end to this dream you’ve all shared, is the absoluteworstthing he could be doing.”

No one says anything and I begin to doubt myself, but still, I push, “Do you really believe he’ll find a way to think about what just happened without blaming himself? Do you think he’ll find a solution to our problem other than being away from us?”

I stare at Nico and Pennie, and then pull back to see Bastien. “Am I wrong? Because I know a thing or two—or a million—about shame and regret, and a hefty dose of self-loathing, and I wish someone had come to break their evil spells on me. I’m just glad I have an amazing dad who always knows what to say.” To all three, I ask, “Am I wrong?”

Sad gazes and shaking heads answer me.

“Then let’s go. Let’s get him and find a way to work through this together.” I grin at Pennie. “Your pool can heal me, right? I mean, if anythingwereto go very wrong, and knowing Archie wouldn’t mean to hurt me keeps me from being too worried about that.” My face heats as my thoughts wander. “Honestly, after seeing Bastien’s reaction during our chat about Archie’s urges, it’s hard to be anything but curious. But for Archie, I want better. No shame. Not for any of us.”

I’m surprised but not at all displeased when Pennie and Nico appear overcome with emotion and move toward me, surrounding me in a group hug. Bastien’s song brightens, hope flavoring its tune.

Family. That’s what I feel in this moment. A sense of belonging that is entirely amazing. I really thought the exciting sex was the highlight, but this endearing moment might be even better.

When Pennie and Nico step back, I say, “Thank you.”

“No, my Lady, thank you.” Then Nico offers me his arm.

I kiss Bastien again before releasing him and claiming Nico’s outstretched arm.

“You know where to go?” Pennie asks.

Nico nods sadly. “Exactly where to go. But don’t worry. I’ll take care of her.”

“I’m not worried about our Lady.”

“Me either,” I say, standing on my tiptoes to kiss Pennie’s cheek. Remaining close, I whisper, “Keep him with you.”

“I will—I swear it.”

To Nico, I say, “Let’s go.”

Chapter23

Bianca

Situation report. I’ve crossed a portal and entered a castle. Had the best sex of my life. I possibly found a true love—even walking away from Bastien unsettles my belly in an unpleasant way. And I had an altercation with the giant purple monster who wants to rut me.

Hmm. Would that be like LIWTR?Lady I want to rut. I like that better than MILF or FILF or most acronyms that have infected my life. But do Iwantto be rutted? Does Archie want to rut me because I’m a conveniently located female or is this about his genuine passion for me? That suddenly seems like an important question.

To the very silent, profoundly sad, hairy monster whose arm I’m holding as we descend the stairs on our way out of the castle, I say, “Nico?”

He doesn’t look at me, just continues leading me toward the door. “Yes, my Lady?” The sweet melody in his voice is smothered.

“How often does Archierut?”

Nico’s sigh is heavy and his fragrance smells of loss. “That question opens the door to so many things we wish… not toconcealfrom you, but to delay sharing.”

“Why?”

“We wanted to show you our world at its best, not to deceive you but to protect you from the darker parts of our lives, our world, our laws. We thought we could shield you from our reality, particularly since you aren’t bound by these laws and aren’t in danger.” He’s quiet again and I allow him to find his own way to share what needs sharing. “We didn’t—wedon’t—want you making any decisions based on what they might mean to us. We want you to determine for yourself whether life here with us is the grand adventure you’ve been longing for, or not.”

I cuddle closer to him and his resulting purr surprises us both. “I believe that, but now I’m here and I need to know what’s happening. We’re going to see Archie and if I can understand what he’s going through, then I might be able to…help—no, that’s not the right word. This isn’t about me arriving and fixing things. It’s about whether all the broken parts in each of us are healed through our connection or torn apart.”

I look up at Nico, tugging him to get him to stop walking. When he’s gazing down at me, I say, “I won’t be the reason your family fractures.”

Nico’s epic sigh causes my already achy heart to feel even worse. Then he cups my cheek with his massive hand. “You are as lovely as we always knew. If anyone can find a way through this, it is you.” He frowns, looking ashamed. “We’ve always left each other alone when the darker parts of us surface. We’ve never barged into each other’s misery and tried to disrupt it. We only ensured that whichever member of our family was hurting knew that we were there whenever they were ready. Your approach humbles me, makes me see how we’ve failed each other.”

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