Page 14 of Fae Farewells

Vaughn’s gaze physically caressed me, a smile lighting his eyes as he watched me soak in his homeland. We had seen no animals, though this many predators were sure to run them off.

When I’d finally had my fill of the landscape, I turned to my fae and asked, “Does Sarge know where he’s leading us? Or should you be—”

“Of course, I know where we’re going,” the dragon cut in, his voice obnoxiously loud since we’d caught up to them. “Why would I walk ahead if I didn’t?”

York bumped my shoulder. “Have I ever mentioned that I liked him better when he was quiet?”

Sarge huffed. “I know where I’m going because I’ve been here too many times to count. Freya has been my mate for eight years. And before Reagan was taken, we used to travel between here and the dragon realm regularly. We liked to visit with the grumpy old king.”

“I haven’t seen him in years,” Vaughn stated, his voice melancholy.

“Neither have I,” Sarge said in the same tone.

Novak turned to walk backward, but when he saw Vaughn, he jerked his head and stumbled to a stop.

“The fuck?”

“What?” York glanced around, then scowled at my vampire. “I don’t see—”

“You’re blue,” Novak told Vaughn, his seriousness making me roll my lips in to hide my amusement.

He shrugged. “I’m fae.”

“Yeah, but… you’re blue.” Novak lifted Vaughn’s hand closer to his face. “And glittery.”

“He’s fae,” Stone repeated, nodding his head to the man in question.

“I thought only fairies were sparkly?” Palmer commented, his brows furrowed, as if he was confused.

“I don’t sparkle.”

Briggs grunted to cover his laughter. “You sparkle.”

“You do,” York agreed.

“Fairies are like three feet tall. Sparkling like glitter is different from having a metallic sheen to my skin tone, which is not blue. It’s closer to gray.” Vaughn pinched the bridge of his nose in aggravation. “And before you ask, I’m keeping my teeth hidden, because you’re all assholes, and I’m on a power high right now.”

Novak snorted. “What about your wings?”

“Females have them,” he ground through clenched teeth. “Males do not.”

“What do female fae look like?” Levi asked suspiciously, giving Vaughn a curious glance.

“Like women…” Sarge trailed off, widening his eyes. “You’ve seen those before, yes?”

The fallen angel narrowed his gaze on the dragon as he matter-of-factly replied, “I don’t recall if I’ve ever seen a female fae. I’ve just started getting memories back, and I can’t control which ones come. They’re triggered by things or they pop up when I meditate. Lucifer helped, but the rest takes time.”

“I’m happy he could help you,” I said, because I’d been wondering how Levi’s training with my grandfather had worked out.

“Some fae women are otherworldly,” Zyus informed us, then pointed at me. “Some are regular.”

Stone glared in the mer’s direction, but I held my hand out before he could say anything.

“I’m not fae, so I’m going to assume you mean I’m pretty, just not your type. And you meant no offense because otherworldly means I don’t have scales or a tail… In this form.”

“You would be correct to assume that,” Zyus confirmed. “You appeal to your mates, but not me. Mer tend to be… selective about their tastes.”

“Wow,” Palmer drawled. “Such a smooth talker.”