Page 23 of May: Bloom & Bane

“Sage?” Her eyes widen. “Let’s get you inside.”

Behold! Droot zips past us, doing loop-de-loops like a moth on sugar. The King has arrived! Bring forth the snacks!

We cross the threshold and the heavy wooden door clicks shut behind us. This house was grown. Thick trees form pillars between the rooms, their branches arching overhead to rest along the ceiling. In the center of the main room sits a massive bed, lying directly on the floor, piled high with green silks and neutral-colored furs.

A modern nest.

I finally let go of Eden before I pull her down with me. I slide down one of the smooth wooden pillars until I meet the floor. My wings droop behind me.

“Sage!” Eden drops to her knees, her hands hovering over my face.

“I’m alright,” I lie. My eyelids flutter closed. “Eden… I think my body finally knows it can stop.”

No stopping! The Big Bird must eat! Droot zips over to a low table grown from roots. See! I told you. The suntrap provides!

I crack one eye open. On the table sits a loaf of warm bread, a golden jar of honey, and a bowl of ripe berries. Beside them, there’s a pitcher of water that smells like cucumber and mint. It’s a feast for a king—or a male and bunny-sprite who have eaten nothing but forest scraps and rainwater for a year.

Eden reaches for a piece of the bread, drizzling honey over it until the crust glistens.

“Eat,” she whispers, her wide green eyes searching mine. “You’ve been taking care of me for so long, Sage. Please. I can’t lose you now that I’m finally awake.”

I reach for it, but she shakes her head and brings it to my mouth.

Honey coats my lips as I close my mouth around the bread. The moment my tongue brushes the tip of her finger, a subtle spark zings between us.

I swallow and catch her staring at my lips. Her cheeks are flushed pink beneath her freckles.

“Eden?” I rasp.

She blinks, pulling her hand back quickly. “Sorry, I just⁠—”

She looks away, tucking a copper curl behind her ear. “You should eat more.”

I think The Sun likes The Big Bird a lot! Droot chirps.

“Mí’peora?” I murmur, searching her face.

She doesn’t answer.

I shift closer, cupping her face in both of my hands. I lean in slowly, brushing my nose against hers.

She gasps. A tiny, breathy sound that sends my wings snapping to their full span. She leans into my touch, and the bond flares in response.

I can’t stop myself from tipping forward into her warmth.

CHAPTER 12

nice to meet you, nook

—EDEN

One second his nose brushes mine, the next, his full weight crashes forward.

“Sage?!”

My back hits the floor with a soft thud. Suddenly I’m buried beneath a very muscly mountain.

His head lands right beside my ear, one wing draped over me like a tent, the other sprawled across the floor.