23. Pike

Chapter 23

Pike

Lark can dance for hours, and he's beautiful when he's allowed to be himself. I had glimpses of the real Lark, whatever he gave me before. But this is true Lark. Uninhibited Lark and I love him more and more each second.

Flutter and Fangs fills in with our friends from the coven and when it was Flutter. I haven't completely gotten rid of the party atmosphere and right now, the more the merrier.

Ava's on stage singing Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran. She's embracing her curse as she calls it. Most of us here would call it a blessing, but I can see why she wouldn't. Several of us have vowed to truly help her during her change rather than chain her up in a concrete room for three days until she's human again.

Lark's dancing with his brother. The two have been practically inseparable, and I don't blame them. While I want to be with Lark right now, Wren deserves to be with Lark after all these years.

Frankie is content to watch. Her keen eyes take in everyone, but she keeps special watch on Lark.

I sent a message to the coven at Lark's insistence. We're still waiting for their reply about what the plan for Drake is, but we feel safe with everyone around.

It's been a hairy few weeks, and I'm ready for a long rest. Perhaps Lark will let me take him to the demon realm. But my heart sinks. He'll probably want to go home now and he doesn't need me for transport anymore.

As if he knows my thoughts have soured, Lark turns my way and gives me the brightest smile. He waves me over and I wrap my arms around his waist.

"You beckon, darling." I kiss his jaw as I wait for him to tell me his thoughts.

"Wren and I have been chatting. I'm not ready to go home yet," his voice is so quiet. "I want to explore us some more. Then introduce you to mother. Wren says he'll see when we can schedule a time with her."

"If you're sure?"

Wren nods and stuffs a piece of cheese in his mouth. "Mother really is incredibly busy right now with all our celebrations in winter. I'll be busy as well." He wiggles his white brows, but I remember what he said about the third prince. "Maybe I'll land myself a patron."

Lark snorts. "As long as it's not?—"

"Oh gods, never him."

It's like they have their own brotherly language.

"Want anything to drink?" I ask them.

"Water?" Lark says. Wren shakes his head.

"Be back soon."

"Already miss you," Lark says with a grin.

I turn my back for maybe ten seconds when alarm bells ring out from our spells to keep Drake out, Frankie growls, and a scream echoes through the building.

Lark's scream.

When I face the crowd, Drake has his teeth, now pointed, sunk into Lark's throat.

It's like my feet move of their own accord. I'm not thinking when I rip Drake from Lark. My beloved crumples into my arms, eyes wide as his hands clasp to his bleeding throat.

"It won't kill him," Wren says as he pats my shoulder. "He'll heal quickly, but he does need sun."

I have no idea where Drake is. I just want to keep Lark safe and I can't. Again, he's hurt. A flash of blue flames comes and goes and I assume it's Van taking Drake somewhere. Perhaps killing him, but who knows? I don't care what happens to Drake as long as he can't touch Lark ever again.

"I'm taking him to my place," I tell Wren. Without waiting for his answer, I'm in my bathroom in the demon realm. The sun isn't out yet, but maybe the threads of magic will do Lark good. "I got you, sweetheart. I got you." Lark clings to me.

"He… I don't know where he came from."

"I don't either, but I hope whatever Van does is permanent."

Lark lets me tug off his clothes and get him in the shower. "Why me? I'm not special."

"You're special to me, darling." I grab a washcloth from under the sink. "I think you've stopped bleeding, but I want to clean you up."

He nods as he moves his hand and sure enough, there's not even a scar. I strip down and join him in the shower. My tail keeps him upright as I fuss with the temperature. I don't want to burn him.

Lark's fingers dance along the length of my tail. Perhaps to keep himself occupied. He shivers in my hold. "I don't understand. Why would Drake trade his life as a witch for being a vampire? If he was seeking power, he just gave it all away."

"I don't know," I say as I wet Lark's hair, which is thankfully gaining color again. He hums when I lather it up and massage his scalp. "He doesn't exactly make sense."

"He doesn't have many friends that I know of. Why would someone want to live forever if they don't have people to enjoy it with?" Lark turns to face me.

"Well," Van says as he materializes in my bathroom. "Drake's dead, and I have to go into hiding."

"What did you do?" I ask, pausing in washing Lark.

"I may have taken him to the coven and when they refused to do anything because he was no longer a witch, I may have ripped his head off and thrown it at the judge."

"Van." I move the shower curtain to look my best friend in the eye.

"I know. But fuck the rules. Drake broke them all, and he kept getting passes. I was tired of it." Van shrugs. "Plus, I've always wanted to do that outside of a deal."

"Thank you," Lark says as he clings to me. He peeks around the curtain. "I wouldn't have wished death for Drake, but he wasn't going to stop."

"He ranted and raved until I severed his head."

It's now I notice Van's drenched in blood. His jeans stained. Red splashed across his t-shirt and face.

"Wicky may be the romantic of our group, but I'll do anything to keep my friends safe. Violence is all I'm good at."

"Not all," Lark says.

Van tips his head. "I'll leave the two of you alone now. You probably want peace." And he's gone.

"I really am free." Lark's big blue-gray eyes widen as he looks up at me.

I hug him as close as possible when sobs rip from his throat. He clings to me, nails digging in, claiming me.

"Kiss me." His eyes shutter closed. How can I deny him?

My mouth brushes his in the gentlest touch, but we both need more and I cup his face and deepen the kiss. He moans beneath me. The end of my tail caresses his back. I want to touch every inch of Lark, but the tub is slippery.

"Let's finish washing up, then we can enjoy ourselves if you want."

"I want," Lark says, breathless.

We're washed in quick order and I'm patting him dry when Frankie makes her happy bark. Obviously, we have another visitor. I teleport Lark and I into my bedroom where his head is on a swivel as he looks around.

My bed is huge, maybe bigger than the human realm's king sized. I have a giant closet. A comfy recliner in the corner. A window seat. It's comfort everywhere. I grab one of the Fae shirts I've stocked in my closet and help him in it. His wings flutter in their freedom.

I plant more kisses, and he grabs for me, but I still his hands.

"Darling, I think Wren is out there."

His eyes go wide and he looks to the door.

"Go. We have all the time in the world." I kiss the side of his face and he runs to meet his brother.

They're hugging when I join them. I lean against the doorjamb, watching as they chatter in Fae. They both start yawning and I notice the dark circles under both their eyes.

"Hit the shower, Wren, then come join us in bed."

His mouth drops open, and he steps back until he bumps into the wall. "I can't. Lark's my brother."

"Sleep." I laugh because now that I think about it, of course, that's what he thought. "Just sleep. I have a huge bed and I'm sure Lark could use the both of us tonight."

Lark nods when he loops his arms around my waist. "Like old times?" he whispers.

"Like old times." Wren tips his head and goes to the shower.

"Let's get you into bed." I pat Lark's bottom and lift him in my arms to carry him to my room. He yawn's over and over. I have to wonder if he got any sleep at Drake's. Then we made him party. He got bitten. So much has happened. My sweet Lark. I press a kiss to his temple and lay him on the bed. I crawl in beside him and he lets me arrange him how I want without a fuss. He wraps around me as he sighs.

"I missed you. Your touch," he whispers as he snuggles as close as possible.

"Missed you too, sweetheart." I rub his back and he's asleep before Wren crawls in.

"Don't mind me," Wren says as he cuddles his brother. Lark turns in his sleep and he's pressed to Wren's chest with his head under his brother's chin. They look so damn sweet. I never want to ruin this moment.