Page 80 of Pixie Problems

Behind me, I heard Ms. Rhodes let out a broken sigh. It sounded like she was struggling not to cry.

Chapter Twenty-Three

KEIR

Aspen was wilted. Torian wasn't much better, and as Rain's tidal wave of shadows shoved the Wild Hunt away, the pair moved to clasp each other. I stood over them, my sword lifted and ready. My eyes scanned the area around us, but all I saw was everyone else running after the Hunt.

"They're leaving," I told the pair.

"It burns," Aspen whimpered.

"What?" I asked, my head snapping back to her.

"I got you," Torian swore, but he looked ready to pass out.

"Fuck," I grumbled, closing the distance so I could to reach down and grab Aspen's wrist. "Here." And I shoved my healing power into her.

But it was Torian who sucked in a breath. He was the one sitting straighter, snapping his head over to me just to waver, looking like he was going to flop over.

"Tor!" Aspen gasped, reaching for him.

"Fuck," he groaned, batting her free hand away. "Take the healing, Asp."

"Hey, hey," I begged, tossing my sword onto the grass and kneeling beside it without letting go of her. "I'll get him next."

"It won't help," Torian grumbled. "She's burned out, Keir, not hurt - and you have the wrong fucking magic!"

"Shit," I hissed, letting go of Aspen so I could grab Torian, but the only thing I could reach was hisface.

I palmed the side of it and pushed hard. The guy's head snapped back and his pupils flared, smothering out the brilliant green color with darkness. I heard him suck in a breath, watched as he forced his eyes closed and lifted his head, then he turned towards Aspen.

"I will always take care of you," he whispered, finally taking her hand. "Even when it hurts."

I had no clue what the fuck was going on, but this time Aspen started to brighten. Color returned to her cheeks. She was breathing easier, but still too weak to do more than lift her head. Then again, considering how much magic Rain had unleashed - and that all of it had come from these two - it said more than they knew.

"Once they're back, we'll get you some nectar," I assured them. "I just can't carry both of you."

"I can fucking walk!" Torian snapped. "Help her."

"You," I growled at the spoiled brat, "can't even stand the fuck up. So shut your face, take the magic, and help me out here!"

"He is!" Aspen snarled before jerking up as if startled. "Tor!"

"He's fucking annoying," Torian shot back.

Ok, I had clearly missed something, but I still knew that was directed at me. "I'm helping you, Torian."

"He is," Aspen insisted - almost repeating herself, but with a very different tone. "It's ok, Tor. Keir's a friend. He's with the court. He's ours."

"He's Rain's," Torian corrected.

"And Rain is hers," I reminded him. "That means it's a big tangled mess which works, right?" I bent my knees, lowering myself a bit more so I wasn't looming over him. "I'm certainly not your enemy."

Torian glanced up and our eyes met. There was now the smallest ring of green around his overly large pupils. That was all, but it was an improvement.

"Can you take it from me?" I asked.

He nodded. "It's working, but you have to carry her back." He clearly meant his sister.