The next morning we were up early. We both woke feeling better rested and ready to face the challenges to come. Poppy was the first to arrive. I have no idea as to where she spent her evening, but I think we are about to find out as she burst through the open window. No need for glass panes down here.
“Did you catch a glimpse of the waterfall down here? Oh my gosh, this place is amazing. As they cycle down for what we would call night all the glowballs are dimmed to almost nothing casting the Borough in an almost completely darken cavern, but then everything begins to glow like in the tunnel that led us here. Even in the water! You have to see it tonight!”
Laughing, I turn to my tiny sprite friend, “I promise, we’ll see it before we have to leave this sanctuary. Were you on your own? Or did you have a guide?”
She smiles smugly, “Why … Pipperton was my guide.” She sighs dreamily, “Don’t you just adore his horns? He’s just so devilishly handsome.” Her wings flutter ever so slightly as she settles onto the table in front of me, a soft smile on her face.
“Poppy? I hate to bring you out of your blissful memories of your time with Pip last night, but we need to meet up with Paynga. Do you have any idea as to what the plan is?” I ask as I stuff some of that wonderful cheese from last night in my mouth with a bit of smoked fish that reminds me of salmon.
Sighing, she looks up at me with a sour look on her adorable features, “You are such a spoilsport some times. Paynga is coming here and we can catch up with her before meeting the males just a little later. Pipperton will be here in a bit to round up Daxell.”
I hear a growl from over my shoulder, “I don’t bloody well think so! LJ does not leave my line of sight.” He wraps his arms around me from behind.
I look up at him over my shoulder, “Dax, nothing is going to happen here. Give us girls some time to catch up, maybe an hour and then we can all come together and figure out where to find that missing backpack.”
“LJ.”
“Don’t LJ me. Luc sent Pipperton to us knowing that we could find shelter here and allies. We’ll take advantage of today, make a plan, and head out tomorrow. It makes sense, demon boy.” I caress his cheek and watch it tick as he mulls over my words.
“All right. Forty-five minutes of girl time. Not one second more.”
“You’re a demanding, demon… but I love you, so you’ve got a deal.” I smile before reaching up on my tiptoes to kiss him lightly on the lips. He grips my hips and drags me flush against his rock hard body. Both of us all but purr as we come together. I will never get tired of how I feel in his arms. He has become the very breath that sustains me.
As he pulls away, I notice the satisfied smirk on his face at my dazed expression. I slap at his chest, “Go! Before I change my mind. You can gather intel from Pipperton and the other imps in the short time that we’re away from one another.”
Poppy laughs, “This is going to be fun. You two aren’t possessive much, are you? Get on out of here, stud muffin.”
About that time, Paynga shows up with pastries. Daxell smiles and grabs what looks like a cream horn, nodding to her in gratitude before he leaves, saying, “Thank you, Paynga.”
“You’re welcome, lord Daxell. Pipperton, Rhynik and my mate, Fynwrick are waiting for you to join them outside this dwelling.”
I wait till Daxell leaves the house and round on Paynga, “Your mate? Fynwrick? When did this happen? We need all the details. Don’t leave anything out.” I demand as I grab a delicious looking pastry that looks a lot like a blueberry danish.
Paynga sighs, her regal features cloud a bit. She looks conflicted and I sit back waiting for her to continue. Where the male imps are all shades of red, she is the absence of color, her complexion is an alabaster white, with some charcoal shadings here and there that accent her defined high cheekbones, her collarbone, and shadings on her wings. Her black horns shine a glossy black and curl back over her head before turning up. Her glossy silver mane tumbles down her back with streaks of black here and there. Honestly, she is stunning, but there has always been a sadness about her that has not been missed by me. Looking up, her crystalline blue eyes meet mine, “Fynwrick has been patient with me and he is so good to me. Our mating is new for both of us …”
Poppy hops up, “I hear a but in there. What’s going on ,Paypay?”
She hesitates before blurting out, “I feel as though I’m not being true to my binding to my first mate, Pipperton’s father. Rhynik has befriended Fynwrick but …” She trails off.
Moving to her side, I take her delicately clawed hand in my own, “Paynga, you deserve to be happy. What would Pipperton’s father say? Would he not want you to find a loving and caring mate?”
“He would, I know that I’m being irrational, and Fynwrick makes me happy, he really does. I never intended to be anything more to him than a caregiver once he was found. You see, he fell from the City of Depravity’s arena after having been pushed out into open air by his opponent after breaking his wing. Fynwrick deserves someone to be utterly devoted to him after what he’s been through. As a slave, in that horrible place, they
