Page 99 of Pixie Problems

"How do you feel about the lounge?" he suggested, looking suspiciously at my new plant.

"Uh, sure..." I kept going, raising my voice so he could still hear me. "Why?"

Hawke waited until I was back. "Because I'm not going to fuck with a Monarch's Assassin."

"The plant?" I asked.

He nodded slowly. "Yeah. They were bred to guard the walls of Avalon."

"Where?"

"The Isle of Apples," he said. "That's basically what it translates to, but it's the island where the Winter Court is."

"A whole island?"

"Yeah, we have those." He opened the door and gestured for me to join him. "It's a beautiful place, covered in our version of wisteria. Well, looks similar, has similar colors, but..." He waited until Jack flew into the hall, then closed the door. "They're attack plants, Rain."

"You mean the same kind as that one?"

"Yep. C'mon, Jack." Pressing a hand between my shoulders, he turned me down the hall, towards the front of the building. "Aspen got you a good one, at least."

"Morrigan!" Jack agreed.

But I had to ask, "How can you tell?"

"The color," he explained. "The dark ones can only be grown by those with a tie to plants. Considering her mother was one of the court gardeners?"

That made me stop in my tracks. "Really?"

"Mhm," he agreed, pressing me forward. "Aspen spent her early years just outside the palace, Rain. Her mother tamed the flowers, creating hedges, lover's nooks, and all the pleasantries the nobility wanted."

"So she wasn't noble?" I asked. "Her mom, I mean. You know, since Bracken's mom was, and they're, you know." I didn't want to say related out here in the halls.

Hawke gave me a smile, then turned into the lounge area for the girls' side. "Minor. I know she was a lady, which means yes. She wasn't a baroness or anything, though, so minor. I also haven't asked much more than that."

"Me either," I agreed. "It's a touchy subject."

"Dead parents usually are."

"Court!" Jack yelled. "Court, court!"

Hawke chuckled at my bird and paused to scan the area, which was basically empty. "Guess we get our pick."

"Jack!" my bird said even as he flew upwards, clearly knowing where he wanted to be.

Yep, that was getting to be normal. Granted, I didn't really mind. Trying to keep up with Jack, making sure he always made it through the doors and was acknowledged in conversation? It was a full-time job. A good one, but I didn't mind a few minutes to myself either - or with a friend like Hawke.

So I chose a set of couches and soft chairs near the back. Here, sunlightdrifted in, and it wasn't close to the television. It was currently playing music, with a black screen that only said the artist and song name. Ambiance worked, but if someone came in and put on a show, I'd never pay attention to math!

"What about yours?" I asked as I woke up my tablet.

"My what?"

"Parents," I clarified. "Not that you have to tell me, but I'm curious."

He laughed once. "Well, my mother was a fool and I never knew my father."

"Uh-huh," I murmured, nodding to show I didn't understand at all. "I think that's getting to be the norm, huh?"