Page 88 of When Ashes Fall

“Do me a favor,” I said to Gizzi when I’d recovered enough from my shock at Zephyr’s words. “If you find another lowleeto and have sex, I’d really prefer not to hear about it.”

“Why not? I had to hear yours.”

I was pretty sure flames burst from my face as I ducked my head over the steaming pot and bit back a groan. “Please don’t talk to me for a little while.”

“Gladly.” Gizzi rose, stretched, and turned in a circle before settling with his back to Zephyr and me. It did nothing to ease my humiliation.

“How about you?” Zephyr asked, apparently having calmed enough to stop talking about assholes. “How was your trip into town?”

The abrupt change in topic threw me off, and it took me a few seconds to recover. I wiped away the sweat dotting my brow as I tried to get my flaming cheeks under control; I failed miserably. I hoped Zephyr believed my flush was from the warmth of the room.

“It was good to be free of the castle,” I said.

“And…?” he prompted.

“And what?”

“And the two of you stayed out all night.” He flew over to the counter, lay down on it, propped his chin on his hands, and kicked his feet in the air over his back. “What did you do?”

I didn’t know how he could look so cherubic while questioning me about my sex life. “We got caught in the rainstorm.”

“And?”

“And we took shelter in a cabin.”

“ANNNND?”

I rolled my eyes at the sprite before removing my potion from the fire and carrying it to the counter. “And we started a fire to dry off.”

“You’re not going to give me any details?” he asked petulantly.

“No.”

He sighed and, fluttering his wings, lifted himself off the counter. “You’re no fun.”

“My life isn’t as exciting as yours.”

“Liar.” But he smiled as he said it.

With the newest potion cooling, I turned my attention to the cauldron on the counter; no steam rose from it. It had cooled enough to start putting it into vials.

“Can I help you with it?” Zephyr asked.

“You made it, so of course you can.”

I’d decided to teach him how to make the potion with and without the mushrooms. I’d told him it was because someone else should have the knowledge, but the truth was, if I ever got the chance to escape, I’d take it. I’d feel better leaving if I knew someone here could make them.

This was the first batch he’d made entirely on his own. Together, we poured the potion into the glass containers and put the stoppers in place. When we finished, Zephyr put two vials in his pockets, kissed me on the cheek, and flew out of the room.

For the hundredth time, I walked over to the fire to ensure all evidence of the paper had vanished. I used the poker to push aside the glowing logs while I searched for any remnants; they’d all vanished, but I knew I’d check again.

CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

Briar

“What are you doing?” I asked.

I placed a finger in my book to keep my place as the sprites flew around, tying string onto the rafters. A few of them looked at me while others carried boots up to their friends. They giggled as they worked to tie the bootlaces onto the strings.