24. Lark

Chapter 24

Lark

Sunlight streams through the window, and Wren yawns awake.

"I need to get going. Mother will worry and I promised her an update," Wren says as he stretches. He swipes hair from my face and presses a kiss to my cheek.

"Do you really have to go?" I ask.

"Don't worry. I'll be back soon." One last gentle caress to my cheek and Wren's gone.

"Good morning, darling," Pike says as he squeezes me closer.

"I'm really, really free." It's so hard to understand. No more Drake, no more being forced to do things I don't want to. Just free.

"You are." He nuzzles my hair.

"Can we go on that date you promised me?"

"Absolutely." Pike transports us to the shower for a quick wash. Then he's blindfolding me. "It's a surprise, but I think you'll love it." We're teleporting again, and the scent of flowers fills the air the moment I find my footing.

When he tugs off the blindfold, I'm surrounded by flowers of all types.

"It's a floral shop. Not as good as a Fae meadow, but?—"

I plow into him. "I love it. Thank you." My wings ripple behind me as I turn, taking in the entire shop. I don't know the names of most of the flower, just roses, but everything is gorgeous. "What's this?" I grab at a blue puff ball looking flower.

"Hydrangea, I believe," Pike answers as he hands me a basket.

"I need a half dozen of these in all the colors." I pull several for the basket.

"You can have whatever you want."

"Oh! And whatever these ones are. And these!" I point out some pink roses and something that's bright yellow.

Pike follows me around, filling basket after basket. When finally I think I've seen it all, he leans in and whispers, "There's another room. We should investigate it too."

I suck in a breath when we enter another room, and a harpist starts playing. The gentle music adds to the experience. It's also calming. I'm offered a glass of water and some chocolate and gladly take it. Pike takes my hand as I take in all the flowers.

"You're amazing," I say. "This is perfect." I squeeze his hand and vow to be the best partner this demon could ever ask for, but first… I need to destroy his crossroads so he can be as free as me. I just need to figure out how to do it.