Page 21

BEAU

I ’d only ever teleported with Poe. Wren’s teleporting is different and my stomach sloshes around once we end up on the Flutter and Fangs dance stage.

“Sorry about that. It was a little rough with two of you.” Wren wipes his hands on the front of his shirt and his wings flip out as if to whip away water. “Have a seat anywhere.” He waves an elegant hand around.

Sparkle and I plop on the stage in front of him.

There’s a pole behind Wren and Sparkle knocks me in the shoulder with his. “Maybe after bj lessons I’ll show you a few moves on the pole.”

“Why not? I keep trying new things and this could be fun.”

Sparkle squeals and kicks his legs. “Yes!” He punches the air and pulls me into a hug. “Stick with us, we’ll steer you towards fun. Oh! Gabe started a crochet circle. Or is it a knitting club? I never remember. But he makes the best scarfs in Hex. Always uses the softest yarn.”

“I could make my own cozy blankie.” The idea lights me up. “Yeah! I’d like that.” I could add another new friend. We may have met briefly at F&F, but we could be friends!

Wren watches us and slides down to lean against the pole. “I want that. Excitement. The most exciting times for me is when I get to come to Hex. Not because my brother is here, but because there’s not stuffy Fae court rules to deal with. I can just be me, and if I want to be a jaded miserable Fae I can.”

Sparkle fakes a pout. “But you’re never miserable around me or the other F&F folks.”

“That’s because you all make life fun again.”

I take in the stage and the bar more than the other night. “I can see that, but I’ve never been to the Fae lands. So far Hex is the best place I’ve been. Everyone’s always so nice. I’m just too scared to go out and do things on my own.”

Sparkle hugs me again. “That’s way you hadn’t come to F&F before. I was the only person you’d know, and I’d be working.”

“Exactly.”

“I’m glad Poe is helping you with your courage.” Sparkle squeezes me before letting me go. “And now it’s time you learn how to blow his mind sucking his dick.”

Wren’s lips twitch before he snorts. “The key to good sex is communication. Remember that, it’s important.”

“Actually, I have a question before we start.” My body heats like lava dumped over my head and trickles down. “I don’t actually know what a courtesan is and what it has to do with sex.”

“Oh.” Wren’s mouth opens and closes and he fiddles with the hem of his pant leg. “I’m basically a high-class prostitute. I don’t just sleep with people, though. In the Winter Court, courtesans of the royal court are sacred and highly skilled in languages, politics, music, dance. I’m educated so I can entertain my betters in all ways. I learned the art of sex and pleasure once my wings glowed.”

“I’ve never been to school. Edward taught me how to read and write, but that’s the extent of schooling I’ve had. Everything I know is from observation or television or reading.” Or asking a billion questions and annoying people.

Sparkle rubs my back. “Do you wish you had schooling? The academy has adult education classes.”

I shrug. “Never thought about it. Never thought I’d make friends and live in a town. Make money. Live in an apartment. I always thought I’d live among humans as a bat or struggle as a human. I didn’t need to know more. And now… dunno? I get by and I don’t feel inferior most of the time.”

“Ugh,” Sparkles says. “That’s because you’re smart as fuck. The grocery store was genius.”

I laugh and knock him back with my shoulder. “No, I just observed people and made a plan that Randy let me execute. But enough about that. Let’s learn how to suck dick.” I giggle, thinking about it. “Specifically big dicks because Poe is enormous.”

Sparkle sucks in a breath. “You’ve seen it?! You’ve been holding out on me.”

“One moment,” Wren says before disappearing. He’s back before Sparkle and I can say anything and pass us both bananas.

This is really happening. My brain fizzles out. What am I doing? Am I ready?

“Beau?” Sparkle pats my shoulder. “You’re squeezing that banana awfully hard. Are you okay?”

“Freaking out a little here.” My heart races and my palms sweat. I start my four count breathing and hold up a finger. “I’ll be okay, give me a minute.” Or five. What the hell am I thinking? The idea of more than making out is too much right now. Why am I even here? Why did I think this was a good idea. Besides, what if after our dates we’re not actually compatible? Poe is smart to slow things down.

Someone takes the banana from me.

Wren squats in front of me and takes my face in his hands, making me look at him. “It’s okay if you’re not ready. No one is going to make you do anything . Would you like to just watch and not participate?”

I nod, and Wren releases my face.

“Sorry,” I say.

“No,” Wren and Sparkle say together.

Wren smoothes a tendril of hair from my face. “If you’re not comfortable, we can end this now.”

“I don’t know. I want to learn, but I’m scared of disappointing anyone.”

“Trust me,” Wren says. “I don’t think that’s going to happen. Not today, not with Poe.” He settles against the pole again. “Relax and soak in the information. Let me know if you want me to take you home though, promise me.”

“Promise.” I nod and cross my legs.

For forty-five minutes, Wren educates us on not only blow jobs, but hand jobs, and consent.

“If you’re not feeling it after you start, you can totally stop what you’re doing. If they say you can’t, they’re wrong and squeeze their dick until they scream.” Wren squeezes his banana, and it oozes from the peel, making us all squirm. “That said, I’ve never had to deal with anything like that in court because everyone knows to respect the courtesans or they’ll pay dearly.”

My eyes start to droop and by the end of the class, while enjoying the education, I’m ready for bed.

“Lets get Beau some sleep powder and off to bed,” Sparkle says as he peels his banana and munches on it.

“Sounds good to me. I need to grab a few supplies from Renaud’s anyway.” Wren pushes to his feet and grabs both of our hands.

We don’t take too long at the little shop. It’s only big enough for the three of us, plus Renaud, the witch that runs the place. He gives me an eye pillow that smells like roses and tells me to heat it in the microwave for a few seconds to help me relax.

Wren drops me off at home and I immediately strip and shower real quick before microwaving the eye pillow. The sleep powder is pink and fine, like some of Sparkle’s makeup. I dab the powder puff to my eyes before placing the warm pillow across my lids. I’m out before I even take another breath.