“You’re doing the right thing,” he promised when I was done and all the food was gone.
Plus, lots of dessert from the fridge and freezer. I ate my feelings. I understood it a lot better since learning I was a fairy.
I heard normal women did it too.
“Am I?” I rasped, angrily wiping tears.
“Yes, because from what I know of Melody, she will blow her top; her dragon temper, she actually keeps in check better than most dragons, and she’ll go straight for Ainsworth. She cannot take him and the council guards, not with all the magical items, artifacts, and wards he has. She will die trying and self-destruct or take some of her clan down with her. This is a smart move, love.”
“He’s right, and I take back my objections,” Ray said from the doorway, Zack nodding as well. “We just wish you would have discussed it with us.”
I snorted, mopping up my face. “Sure, that’s a great discussion. ‘Hey guys, how do you think I should handle this. Ignoring it could risk my finding your mates if it goes bad, just that little thing, but it could be an international incident in our world too and oh, just a few other small matters, but you good with this?’”
“We’ve shown to be more objective than that,” Zack defended.
“You have, but it’s not fair of me to keep doing that to you.”
“Yes, because we offer, kid,” he countered. “And for the record, Mel is a huge help in getting our mates back, so her at your side is the best bet all of Faerie has. Her guarding you and backing you is best for all fairies. She’s shown it time and time again, so I don’t think this is a hindrance to getting our mates back, but the best course. You handle this how you think best, and we’ll help when the chips land.”
Meaning they’d talk to Mel when she blew a gasket that I took her vengeance away and let her know how I’d struggled with it. That would help for sure. I thanked them and we all said good night again.
Which left me alone with Craftsman.
Again.
“You head up to bed,” he offered when he saw I was at a loss. “I’ll clean up and take the couch, nothing more. I promise.”
I rubbed my forehead but then nodded. “Thanks.”
I didn’t have the energy for anything else or to object. He was clearly worried more than trying for anything and… And I didn’t blame him for being worried. I was too. So he could stay on the couch.
After changing and cleaning up, I crawled in bed and was out before he even came up.
“What the fuck is this?” Lucca snarled.
At first, I thought it was a dream, another nightmare, but then I realized it was really happening, bolting up and trying to figure out what was going on as I rubbed my chest… And saw an arm was draped over my lap.
“Settle down, git,” Craftsman grumbled.
From behind me.
Huh?
“She was crying in her sleep. I took the couch but she was—I just helped her settle, but must have actually slept,” he mumbled.
“I forgot to lock the portal,” I whispered, wincing when I saw the angry gazes of Lucca and Darby. “Yes, I realize that sounded bad, like I was doing something wrong, but I was chastising myself, as it wasn’t safe. I let him sleep on the couch—Neldor pulled some shit, and I’m not supposed to be opening portals yet. Zack or Ray called Craftsman to get me out of there. It’s—whatever. What time is it?”
“Early. Seven,” Darby muttered, chilling out. “You didn’t check in after your meeting and I was worried.”
“Sorry,” I sighed, rubbing my forehead. I had to stop myself from writing a healing rune, as I was still supposed to be watching myself and not doing magic as much as I could. It was such a habit after months of it when I woke up and the only way I kept moving after they’d all destroyed my heart and I couldn’t ever sleep.
Glad I was apparently back to that.
I flinched when Craftsman reached over and wrote a healing rune on me, my eyes going wide as I realized I’d projected all those thoughts.
To all of them. Oh fuck.
“You are still upset with us,” Lucca murmured. “I knew it.”
“I’m not,” I promised, shrugging. “I can’t help when I feel like retreating. I’m sorry.”
“Why the bloody fuck are you apologizing because they upset you?” Craftsman asked.
Darby snorted. “Yes, because you should lecture us about anything. At least we stick around when things get difficult.”
“Stop,” I cut in before the situation got worse. “Please, just stop. I cannot take it right now. I’m sorry, I can’t.” I glanced down at the bed and then at Craftsman. “Can you check the bed? This room? It’s worse when I’m home and with him here…”
His eyes flashed shock. “You think Neldor is doing something to you?”
I shrugged. “I don’t think he sees me as anything but a tool to get what he wants. Yeah, what you said last night smacked him around a bit but… Would you put it past him?”
“No, not at all,” he agreed, actually looking like he was annoyed he’d not thought of it. “Lucca, help me flip the bed.”
They took me seriously, Darby lifting me off before I could even get to my feet. Lucca and Craftsman first stripped the bed and pillows before pulling off the mattress and box springs.
