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“Come on Daisy, Let’s get you dressed and in bed where it’s warm and dry.”

“I’m warm and dry right where I am.”

“That may be so, but I don’t want to fall asleep and wake up to your brother staring at my cock and your naked backside. He’d definitely never want me to come around again if that happened.”

Daisy groans the most adorable grumble, pushing herself onto her elbow. Strands of chestnut hair fall across her forehead and in the dim light her features are cast in shadows. I reach up and brush the hair from her face so I can better see her.

“Will you come back tomorrow?”

“I’ll come back every day until you tell me to stop.”

“You might be here for a very long time then.”

“That’s the idea.”

After Daisy is back in her damp dress, and me in my pants, I escort her to the front door of her house. The rain is still falling but has lightened up. By the time we make it to the porch both of our feet are coated in a layer of mud and grass. The sensation is gratifying. Perhaps I’ll have to go shirtless and shoeless.

With one more long, lingering, erection inducing kiss, I manage to say goodnight and Daisy goes inside. Instead of returning to my parents’ house, where the party is still going on, I drive to the motel. Thankfully not as many out of towners come in for the equinox as shifters do for the blood moon, and I’m able to get a room. So, I don’t have to deal with any of my family or the party guests, who have no doubt become house guests staying in the many empty guest rooms my mother insists on having.

Chapter 21: Daisy

It’s been two days since the night I spent with Kai in the greenhouse and had sex for the first time. It was amazing, more than I ever expected it to be. I didn’t realize how having such an intimate connection with a person while being sexual, would enhance everything so much. Since then, there has been a lot of making out and groping, but no sex. Not for lack of wanting, though I’m optimistic about the equinox tonight.

We decided Kai would meet us at the house, then all four of us would make our way to the equinox celebration, in the forest on Hunter’s land, together. Since that land connects to ours, we’ll be walking there.

Last night I packed a small overnight bag, just a change of clothes, a toothbrush, and a hairbrush. I don’t need anything else. Food will be provided, and Kai has assured me we will have a tent fully stocked with bedding and a small wood burning stove for heat, even though he can provide all the heat I need. His words, not mine.

Kai arrives before sunrise and quickly scoops up my bag and places a chaste kiss on my lips.

“Good morning, Blossom. Are you ready for your first equinox celebration?”

“She better be, because I’m not letting her back out now,” Sage answers Kai’s question before I can, as he exits the house locking the door behind him. “I’ve been trying to get her to attend since she was sixteen and I’m not letting her miss out on another one. If she tries to run you make sure to grab her, you hear me, Kai? Tobias won’t force her, but I know the only reason she’s going is because of you. So, you’re the final line of defense if she tries to run. She’s done it before.”

Kai cocks his head at me and licks the tip of a fang with his tongue, a move he knows draws attention to his mouth and makes me want to kiss him.

“Is that so? You a runner, Blossom? Am I going to need to tie you up and carry you there?”

I smack him on the arm, a bare arm because ever since I told him I like him shirtless he has remained shirtless. “No, you do not need to tie me up. I’m going on my own. I want to go, I’m excited.”

“Good. I’m happy you’re finally joining us.” Tobias wraps an arm around my shoulders and gives me a squeeze, his own bag slung over his shoulder.

“Alright all, let’s get going!” Sage leads the way down the deck and towards the back of the house.

We all follow, Kai placing himself at my side and threading my fingers through his. His skin is warm and burns away any chill from the early morning hour. My feet are covered with fur lined rubber boots today. I would be fine without them. I’ve gone barefoot longer into winter than this. The morning may be cool, and the temperature may be lowering, but it’s still nice enough out to wear shorts. However, Kai was insistent that I do. I only wear them to appease him, because he threatened to carry me the entire time if I didn’t.

Ten feet from the wood line, Delphi’s furry blue and white body scurries the short distance to us and bounds into my arms. She’s chattering away nonstop, obviously excited I’m going to the equinox.

“Hi Delphi. I’m happy to see you too. Are you ready for the celebration?”

Delphi chirps and chitters, pawing at my hair and flowers. Daisies, geraniums and an iris today. I’m excited to be going but also nervous. What if people stare? What if they try to talk to me and all I can say is the life cycle of an annual bloom?

It’s okay, even if I do Kai, Sage, and Tobias will be there with me. Oh, and Delphi. She curls around my neck and purrs, rubbing her soft body against me. I expect her to settle in for the walk but before she can, she spots Kai, and a high-pitched excited chirp comes from her mere moments before she leaps to his shoulders. She settles around his neck and Kai chuckles, scratching her behind her ear.

It takes about thirty minutes of walking before we reach the designated celebration area. The fairies have cloaked it in a shield, concealing everything inside from prying eyes. The veil has a slight shimmer that only a non-human can spot, a rainbow of colors flickering in the early morning sunlight over a dome, just as thin and flexible as a soap bubble.

All of us approach the barrier and without hesitation Sage and Tobias waltz through, disappearing to the other side. Delphi leaps from Kai’s shoulders and bounces through the air passing through the barrier as well. When it’s my turn, I pause at its boundary and try to see beyond the magic. I can’t. There are no sounds beyond the breeze through the trees and the chirping morning birds. I can’t see anything in the distance or right in front of me other than trees and grass.

“Are you okay, Daisy?”