11. Lark

Chapter 11

Lark

There's a huge arm around my waist, and it takes me a few minutes to remember yesterday. Pike's cock presses against my back while his tail pets my hip. I don't think he's awake, but his tail sure is. I take comfort in his arms and snuggle deeper against him, despite his cock being in the way. His arm tightens around me as he pulls me closer. I miss touch and affection more than I can ever say.

Frankie chews at something by our feet and I realize Pike must have brought her toys and treats, too. She yips when she notices I'm watching her. Then she pounces between us.

"Oaf, Frankie, love, what have I said about letting me sleep?" Pike says as she licks him awake.

I can't help the laugh.

"Sorry ‘bout the morning wood, darling," Pike says.

My cheeks heat. "Nothing to be sorry about. It happens."

"It does." Pike grins back. "Tell me about your training."

"What's there to tell?" I shrug. "I was trained to entertain. Tell stories, play games, create distractions, play instruments?—"

"Nothing sexy?" Pike asks.

"No. I hadn't gotten to that part of the training. Courtesans aren't trained in sex until their wings glow, which is anywhere between seventeen and twenty-one for most of us."

"How old were you?" Pike's tail continues caressing my side.

I shrug again. "Twenty, I think?"

"I can't imagine not being able to go home. Demons can come and go as they please between the realms as it is. But if I were stuck in the human realm, I don't know what I'd do."

"You'd survive," I whisper. "What hurts the most is no one came looking for me."

"Look at me, Trick."

I bury my face in Frankie's short fur.

"Trick." Pike slides the back of his hand down my cheek. "Drake has you hidden behind so much magic. Even if your brother or mother were inside Flutter, they wouldn't be able to see you."

"What?" I rub at my eyes, willing the trapped tears to dry up.

"I'm so sorry, Trick. You didn't deserve any of this. Neither did Ava."

"How much time do we have left together?" I whisper.

"It's early morning. Want to go back to the roof for breakfast?"

I nod. Hopefully, food will help clear my thoughts. "What if they really never came looking for me?"

"I don't believe that. You seem close to your family. Someone came looking for you." Pike leans in and presses a kiss to my forehead. "I know it."

When he turns to climb out of the bed, I dab at the kiss with my fingertips. So gentle. So perfect. But why is he so nice to me? "Will you investigate?" I ask. "My mother's name is—" I cut myself off. Who am I to give away her true name? "She has pink hair, like I do. At the time, her and I were the only ones with this color. My brother's hair is white and he at least used to be a courtesan, too. Mother was the highest ranking courtesan in the Winter Court. I don't know if she still is. But plea?—"

Pike's tail presses against my lips like a finger. "I'll look into it."

"Thank you." I pull his tail away, but before releasing, I kiss the tip gently. My cheeks heat. Why the heck did I do that? I could have charmed this demon to do anything I wanted over the course of our time together, but I've given up my training. Now I just want to go home and lick my wounds before reassessing my life. I'm not too old to be a courtesan, not that age matters with the Fae. But is that what I want to do with my life? I've been away from court so long I can't remember what it's like. I can't remember the dances, the faces, the politics.

"Where'd you go?" Pike asks as I shake my head, trying to get out of my thoughts.

"The past. The present. I don't know."

He tips my chin up. "How about we eat breakfast and not think about anything else?" He grabs Frankie's harness and his tail wraps around my waist. We're on the roof again before I can blink. "Sit and pet Frankie while I grab some food. Any requests?"

"Strawberries?"

"Strawberries it is." Pike blinks out. It's just me and Frankie on the roof. Another beautiful blue sky day that I hope we can stay out until the last second.

I tip my head to the sun, soaking up as much as I can. Frankie noses my hand and I go back to petting her. "I could get used to this, you know," I say.

Pike is back with a basket of what smells like fresh bread. "I got a variety of things. I hope you like something." Then he starts unloading the basket. There are biscuits and strawberry butter and scrambled eggs and ham and apples. Pike puts a bowl of food down for Frankie and I'm immediately forgotten as she eats.

"This is amazing." I pile a plate high with scrambled eggs and ham. I shove a piece of biscuit in my mouth as I butter the rest of it. A moan escapes my lips.

"Mmmm, this is good. I got everything from a place down the street. I'll have to remember them."

I nod as I shovel eggs in my mouth. "Sorry. I'm house trained, but this is too good to remember proper etiquette."

Pike snorts and waves towards Frankie. "I'm used to it." He leans in and wipes a bit of butter from my cheek. His finger lingers and I lick off the offered butter, but get too embarrassed to suck his finger.

How did I ever think I could be a courtesan? I was never as outgoing as my brother. I stuck to the rules. I just wanted to belong. A sniffle escapes, and I slap a hand to my mouth.

"It's okay, sweetheart. You can cry if you need to."

"No. I'm fine." I dab a napkin at my face and go back to eating.

"I have more clothes for you. I'm going to tell Drake they're your reward for satisfying me."

I nod and smooth out my napkin in my lap. "Will I ever need to satisfy you?"

Pike's head snaps toward me. "You never have to do anything you don't want to."

"Thank you."

The sun rises higher and I try not to notice. I like listening to Pike talk about being a crossroads demon and how it's different from being a different demon type. We're laying in a pile of blankets in a makeshift nest with Frankie between us.

"That one looks like a castle," Pike says pointing to the blob of clouds.

"I sorta see it. This one looks like a dragon."

"A fire-breathing dragon." Pike takes a breath and blows, sending flames into the air.

I contain a gasp while Frankie chuffs beside me, as if she knew it'd startle me.

"Impressive," I say.

"Parlor trick." An alarm goes off from Pike and he frowns. "Two minutes till noon. I gotta get you downstairs." He takes my hand and Frankie's harness.

I blink a few times to adjust to the dimmer light of the room. Pike tugs me to the table and Frankie settles at our feet. He waves his hand over the table and we each have playing cards in our hands as the door creaks open.

Drake enters, making Frankie growl.

"Hush, girl." Pike strokes Frankie's head. "Would you like to join us? It's a delightful Fae game Trick taught me."

"No, your time is up. I'm here to take Trick back to his room."

"Oh, do come and play," Pike pouts.

"No. I think you and I have a few things to discuss with your investment."

"Fine." Pike fists a hand and everything except the box of clothes disappears. "I've gifted Trick clothes I expect him to keep. He's an exceptional lover."

My face blazes hot. We both push to our feet. His tail wraps around my waist one last time and pulls me closer.

"Sure. Sure. I won't take them away." Drake seems oblivious to the heat between Pike and me.

"Darling, I'll see you soon."

"Kiss me," I whisper. "We have to sell it to Drake."

Pike cocks a brow, but he dips down. I grab his horns, making him moan and his tail coil tighter around me.

"Those are very sensitive," Pike says as he nips at my ear, then my jaw. When he connects with my lips, I melt against him. I seek more, pressing closer. I need more . But the kiss is over too soon and I have no idea if Pike realizes I gave him my first. Realizes how gigantic the moment is for me. Slowly, his tail releases me. He nips at my lips softly before taking a step back, as if he's dazed. Frankie looks from Pike to me and back, confused. My hand hovers over my lips, feeling the heat he left.

"Come on, Trick. Back to your hole." Drake grabs my arm, but Pike slaps his tail over Drake's hand.

"Do not hurt him." Pike growls out the words as he hands me my box of new clothes.

"I'm okay," I say, though my arm hurts where Drake squeezes.

"Meet me in my office, Pike." Drake lets me walk on my own back to the basement.

"Please let me stay out. I'll be good. I can help Ava," I say hopefully.

"No. Get down there and shut up." Drake smacks the bottom of my box, making my gifts fly down the stairs. Beautiful silk Fae shirts drift to the floor as Drake shuts the door behind me.

I push back the anger and gather the shirts back into the box and place them in my nest. I haven't talked to the Fae luck coin in the last day, but when I search for it, it's missing. "Oh, no."