Page 399 of Never Kiss a Fae
Titus and Vox shared a look before my Fire Fae replied, his words patient and slow. “Itisthe end of the week, Claire.”
What?!
Cursing, I jerked open one of the drawers and pulled out a hairbrush, then ripped it through my strands. As if the physical state of my pregnancy wasn’t bad enough, these damn memory gaps were going to be the death of me. “Well, that’s okay. I’ll just get myself together and…” I trailed off, searching for my toothbrush. Definitely going to need that.
“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Vox asked, his tone concerned. “We could reschedule.”
“Nope.” I yanked the hairbrush through an unruly patch of my hair, then tossed it onto the counter and started brushing my teeth.
Both of my mates watched me with unease, waiting for me to finish my rapid brushing.
“Cyrus has been working to bring me a Hell Fae representative for weeks,” I said after spitting out some of my toothpaste. “By the time we could meet with someone new, I’ll have a baby to deal with.”
And then that would take all my priority.
After the faeling came, the last thing I would be able to focus on would be forcing fae to work together. No, I couldn’t leave this job half-done before I became a mother.
Plus, what kind of world would I be bringing my baby into if I didn’t have the groundwork established for a place like the Interrealm Fae Academy? A place where my child would eventually be welcomed.
Not an abomination.
But a blessing.
Titus crossed his arms. “I still don’t like this, Claire. Hell Fae are fickle creatures at the best of times, and, well, just plainhellwhen they’re unhappy. They’re not going to want to work with us. Not after what the fae did to them.”
Ignoring him, I splashed cold water on my face. “They’re just misunderstood. I’m going to fix that.” It was one of the many reasons I wanted the Interrealm Fae Academy to exist—so none of fae kind experienced the torments the Hell Fae and other abominations had endured.
Once I’d dried my skin, Vox held up a concealer stick that Cyrus had picked up during one of his Human Realm trips, at my request. I liberally applied it to the dark spots under my eyes.
Vox said nothing while Titus leaned against the wall and watched as I tried to hide the evidence of my exhaustion.
“One false move and I’m burning them all,” he said, his tone lacking his trademark humor.
“Yeah, burn the Hell Fae. That’s a brilliant idea,” Vox deadpanned. “Not like they haven’t dealt with fire before.”
Titus frowned. “Then Cyrus will blast them into the ocean and drown them under leagues of water. I don’t care how it happens. If they mess with Claire, they’re dead. That’s all I’m saying.”
Vox tied his loose strands into his favored warrior’s tail as if preparing for a fight. “Agreed.”
With a sigh, I decided it would be a Christmas miracle if this meeting went even remotely as planned.
Speaking of Christmas…
“Hey, Titus?” I asked, going onto my tiptoes to lean into the mirror and apply my blush. If I got much bigger, I’d have to pick up my stomach to do this. “Do Hell Fae like Christmas presents?”
* * *
Titus didn’t think it was a good idea, but really, who didn’t like presents?
I marched toward my office with my gift in hand, meticulously packaged with my best silver wrapping paper topped with a glimmering bow. Thanks to Titus, twinkling embers studded the exterior, giving it a smoldering look that I thought a Hell Fae might appreciate.
It felt good to step into my office, which Sol and Vox had perfectly redecorated. Gone were the autumn decorations of October, and in their place was a gorgeous white Christmas tree. It sprouted from the center of the room, a living creation courtesy of my earth mate. Glimmering stars and sparkles danced on a rotation around the ceiling as well, the current a loop created by Vox’s affinity for air.
I sighed in contentment. Because it really did feel like true Christmas magic.
However, one thing did not go with the festive, wintry decor, and that was the Hell Fae sitting in my chair with her legs propped up on the desk.
Cyrus shrugged when I came in. “It was the only way I could keep her waiting.”
