Page 156 of Pixie Problems

I made a face. "Liam's not ugly, but Bracken is definitely hot."

"Blech," Aspen said, sticking her tongue out to make the noise. "I think Ms. Rhodes is pretty, though."

"She is," I agreed. "I just figured it was a fae thing."

"She's a beautiful woman, even for the fae," Keir assured me. "I likecurves, though. No offense, Aspen, but our kind is a bit stick-like. But human guys?"

"Blech!" Aspen said again, but grinning this time. "I like the women - and only the women."

I turned a bit, snuggling my shoulder under Keir's. "I like personality more than looks."

"...Says everyone," Keir countered. "And yet we all like certain looks. C'mon, what gets you going, Rain? I shared. Your turn."

"I like kind," I told him. "Considerate. Gentle - but the kind that is soft because they know what it's like when others aren't. Not the type who can't be anything but. I like people who are smart."

"Looks!" Aspen insisted.

I just held up my hands. "I dunno! I think Keir's hot and Hawke's hot, but they're very different types of hot. And you, Aspen! Uh, the only thing you and Keir have in common is 'light hair' and it's not even the same color. Silver." I pointed at her. "Gold." I tapped Keir's chest.

"I think she likes clean jawlines," Keir said.

Aspen nodded. "High cheekbones. We all have those too."

"Lean."

"No," I said, waving him off. "You are not 'lean.' Hawke isn't either! I mean, lithe might describe Wilder, but only because he reminds me of a male ballet dancer. You know, the type with the amazing bubble butt? Thick thighs? Ripped muscles, but small ones?"

"She has a point," Aspen told Keir. "You are kinda muscley. She says you're solid."

"Oh god," I groaned, trying to hide my face again.

"I'm good with being described as muscular." I dared to check to find him smiling conspiratorially at Aspen. "We should get together and trade info on what she's said about each other. I mean, I'm assuming she talks about me at least a bit?"

"All the fucking time," Aspen assured him. "Keir this and Keir that."

"I get all the 'Aspen's so amazing' stuff."

"Why are you two doing this to me?" I asked, struggling not to whine about it. "Look at me! So you know, human skin should not be this shade of strawberry!"

"It's just your cheeks and nose," Aspen said.

"And it's cute," Keir agreed. "It makes you look a little less intimidating, Rain le Fae."

Aspen gasped. "Are you nervous to seduce the Morrigan?" She giggled. "No way!"

"Aren't you?" he asked.

Aspen shook her head. "No, I've already figured out she doesn't care about anyone's titles. Not the Queen's or Jack's or even Ms. Rhodes. Rain judges people on what they do."

"That's why you're my favorite," I told her.

"Hear that?" Aspen asked Keir. "Means you need to work for it."

"Then let me up," he said.

But when Aspen moved, Keir didn't stand. Instead, he twisted so he could caress my face. "Rain, I think you are beautiful, powerful, and the most amazing woman I've ever met. Your girlfriend is a damned close second, and this?" He tipped his head back in Aspen's direction. "This is what I meant when I said being included makes me happy, so you can stop being embarrassed."

"Yeah?"