Page 40 of Perfectly Petite Shorts (Perfect Pixie)

“Is Hellfire here tonight?” Hellfire Rayburn didn’t always accompany his bonded while Wendall was at work. I suspicioned that situation would be different if it weren’t for Trinket’s presence.

Johnny nodded while tossing his head to the side, indicating the area behind the bar.

“He’s in the back helping out with dishes.

” Johnny shook his head. “Gotta say, that shit is still weird. A fairy doing dishes…” Johnny’s voice trailed off, his tone just as mystified as my thoughts.

“I suppose that’s what love does to you.

” Johnny shrugged as if such insanity was commonplace.

“Do you want me to tell him you’re here? ”

“I would rather go to him if that is acceptable.”

Johnny shrugged. “It makes me no never mind. Head on back.” Dismissing me, Johnny walked farther down the bar, filling drinks and helping the human, Lizabeth.

Winding around the bar, I made my way to the hidden workspace.

The area wasn’t large but was significantly quieter.

Just as Johnny indicated, Hellfire was elbow deep in dishwater.

A bin of dirty glasses sat to his left while clean ones dried to his right.

Crimson hair pulled back into a long braid, Hellfire’s dress shirt sleeves were rolled up, their edges damp.

The image of Queen Silvidia’s most feared warrior doing such menial labor was so surreal I simply stood there, staring.

Seconds turned into minutes until Hellfire finally asked, “Do you require something, or are you content to stand there gawking?” Hellfire set another glass on the drying rack, never once taking his eyes off the suds hiding his lower arms and hands.

“You must admit, this is a view worthy of a few minutes contemplation.”

A low, rare chuckle escaped Hellfire’s lips. The sound was nearly as inconceivable as seeing him washing dishes. “I suppose that is true.”

Was Johnny correct? Was this what love reduced one to? Hellfire would not lower himself to such an activity if it weren’t for his bonded, Wendall. Wendall didn’t want to give up his job at Dusk, and Hellfire wanted to lighten the load for him—thus, washing dishes.

Setting another clean glass down, Hellfire pulled his arms from the sudsy water, drying them before turning and giving me his full attention. “While I’m certain you find this entertaining, I assume you came for a different reason.”

Had I ? My brain momentarily short-circuited.

When it came back online, I wasn’t sure I wanted to remember.

Still, I’d driven here and leaving without asking my questions would not be useful.

While Hellfire and I often found ourselves on different sides of the courtroom, we were of general agreement regarding what was truly important.

I considered Hellfire an ally and previous interactions indicated he thought similarly of me.

“I have a…situation,” I finally stated, hating the uncertainty in my voice.

Hellfire stiffened. “A dangerous situation?”

I immediately put that concern to rest. “No. Not in the way you suspect. There is no threat to Fairy or your bonded.” Hellfire had cause for concern.

Recent events had proven Fairy was not as safe as we had always believed, and having nearly lost his bonded, Hellfire was understandably on edge where Wendall’s safety was concerned.

Shoulders relaxing, Hellfire asked, “Would you like to speak here or outside?”

“Outside would be preferable.”

Hellfire led the way through a back door and into an alley.

I was pleasantly surprised the alley didn’t smell of piss and refuse.

Rolling down his sleeves, Hellfire remained silent, patiently waiting for me to start the conversation.

I wish I wasn’t struggling so much. Coming here, speaking with Hellfire and getting his opinion had seemed a logical decision an hour ago.

“I cannot offer aid if I do not understand this situation .”

My answering sigh raised Hellfire’s eyebrows. “You told me it was not dire. I am beginning to suspect otherwise.”

I grimaced. “It is not dire to anyone but me.”

Hellfire’s expression remained blank, but his words were kind. “That does not ease my mind as much as you suspect.”

I allowed a brief smile before thoughts of Todrik, along with the emotions they spurned, returned. “How did you know Wendall was the one ?”

Hellfire’s eyebrows rose higher before lowering and scrunching as his eyes narrowed. “I see. This does qualify as a situation . I assume you have met someone that…interests you.”

My growl was low and predatory. “He will not leave my mind.” Rubbing my chest, I added, “Or my hearts.” I began pacing.

The alley was too narrow for me to take more than three strides before being forced to turn around.

“I’ve heard humans speak of this feeling.

I believe they term it heartburn. Did Wendall elicit this type of physical pain? ”

Cocking his head, Hellfire’s crimson eyes grew distant, as if he were trapped in past memories.

“I do not believe my experience was the same. I will say that I was very frustrated, and as you mentioned, I was unable to eliminate him from my mind. It was not instantaneous. Not like I’ve heard weres and vampires explain their mates and beloveds.

My interest grew over time.” Hellfire’s lips twitched, softening his features.

“Wendall challenged me. He did not bow down and kiss my feet. As a matter of fact, I believe when I first offered our bonding as a way to save him, he told me I could, ‘shove my offer up my perfect fairy ass.’” Hellfire softly chuckled at the memory.

“I could not decide if I was more incensed or annoyed. I am still uncertain. What I can say is that his rejection lit something within me.”

I considered this and answered, “Todrik did something similar, though, not as direct.”

“Todrik? That is their name?”

I nodded. “He is a dryad.”

“I see.”

“You do? Because I am still at a loss. He is small and insignificant. Dryads’ only claim to magic is that which makes them what they are.

They are essentially powerless and inconsequential creatures.

Todrik is no different.” I scoffed. “His other form is a cherry tree. For the love of our queen, he’s not even a mighty oak.

The crown of his head barely reaches my chest. His pink hair is unruly, and he is woefully pale and lithe.

I am surprised his tree form is able to root itself deep enough to keep him from blowing away.

” Arms crossed, nose in the air, and shoulders thrown back, I pulled my arrogance around me like a living shield.

“He sounds intriguing,” Hellfire surprisingly answered.

When I opened my mouth to protest, Hellfire held up a halting hand.

“You say he is physically weak, and yet you also say he did not cower before you.” Taking a step toward me, Hellfire held my gaze.

“You are younger than me, Hamish. You have not lived as many centuries or seen as much death and war. I am grateful you have been spared what I have not. However, all that blood and death imparted important lessons, one of which is that strength can be found in the most surprising places. True strength comes not from the gifts we were born with, but in overcoming our shortfalls. Strength can be found in the simplest of gestures or the mightiest of sacrifices. Do not dismiss this dryad by physical attributes alone.”

My jaw ached with how hard I gritted my teeth. “Perhaps that is why he fascinates me. By all rights, he should not be walking the path he has chosen. ”

“He is in danger?” The changes were minute, and yet I could tell the instant Hellfire’s attention snapped into place.

Was he? I had not contemplated that before.

Now that Hellfire brought it up, I found the thought distressing.

“I am uncertain. I filed a motion earlier today that will likely make certain parties unhappy.” Perhaps I should check in on the annoying little dryad.

While I might not know the exact location he planted his roots, it would not take me long to search the hundred-acre plot.

Exactly how many cherry trees could there possibly be?

Hellfire’s gaze was intense when he asked, “Are you seriously contemplating giving your bond to this dryad?”

“What? No, of course not.” I vehemently shook my head. “I was simply curious regarding your own bonding and what that felt like, what…” Was I truly considering it? I’d been immediately incensed when Hellfire suggested it, but if I weren’t, then why was I here asking Hellfire such questions?

The back door creaked open, and Trinket stuck her furry body out.

The sound she made was indecipherable to my ears.

Hellfire must have understood better because he said, “There is no reason for concern. I am fine.” Trinket reared back, madly chittering.

She did not sound mollified. “Apologies for my absence.” The cooing noise now emanating from deep within Trinket’s little body made me think Hellfire was forgiven.

“There you are.” I should have known Wendall would not be far behind. “Oh, hey, Hamish. How are you?” Wendall wiped his hands on a towel hanging over his shoulder. His blue eyes swam in calm ocean currents. When Wendall was agitated, those seas were turbulent tsunamis.

“I am well. Thank you for your consideration.” I inclined my head to indicate my respect. Wendall Galen was the only living relative of our late prince, Queen Silvidia’s brother. As expected, Wendall’s checks pinked with my show of deference .

Awkwardly scratching the back of his neck, Wendall scooted closer to Hellfire. Going up on tiptoes, he gently pressed his lips to Hellfire’s cheek. “Trinket became concerned when she couldn’t find you, Ray.”

Trinket chittered while scrambling up Wendall’s side, perching on top of his head, her tail loosely wrapped around his neck.

“Only Trinket?” Hellfire teased.

Wendall’s cheeks went from pink to fiery red. “Maybe not just her.”