For a Pixie in Blue (The Adventures of Blue Faust Book 4)

by Cecilia Randell

  “I would do all in my power to save her. Kill? Yes. But I would not steal another’s life to give to her. And that ‘girl,’ as you call her, would never forgive me if I did such a thing.”

  “But she would be alive.”

  “And I would no longer be worthy of her or of my name.”

  The silence stretched out, neither man backing down.

  “Tell me more of the Prizzoli. You have been with them for the last two weeks. Will they back up their threats to have Padilra withdraw from the Alliance?” Reynaul Eteru frowned. “I am not sure we have enough information at this time to decide one way or the other. You said their systems are failing?”

  Trevon held up his hand, and Duri placed a small case in his palm. “I have here copies of surveillance recordings we have of the Prizzoli. It is not much. You may review it.” He opened the case and handed it to Robsson Istial on his left. He had, of course, taken out anything to do with Blue. He felt a small twinge at sharing the information. Levi had not been pleased when Trevon approached him about it, but he had eventually relented. “It will show you some recent upheavals in the usual rotations and systems of the troops. If you read the information I forwarded to your secretaries, you know that part of what makes their society work is that precise rotation.”

  “The report said this started about sixty days ago?” Eteru plucked a data chip from the case and passed it on.

  “As best as we can piece together. As you can imagine, it is hard to get any of the Prizzoli to talk, and most barely speak passable Common.”

  “What of the agent?”

  “Guard Levi? He is reliable but does not have access to the inner workings of the elders at the moment.” And probably never would again. The man had outgrown his own people. Trevon could see it, even if Levi could not. Maybe he would offer him a position in the Family.

  Eteru frowned, tapping the data chip on the table top. He flicked a glance at Trevon, then Tremu, and finally settled on Eirran, the neutral. “Zeynar is correct. There will be no use of these particular crystals. Even if we did try to set up a system such as the Prizzoli use, we have already proved susceptible to the corruption of their use.” His lips twitched. “Without even using them.”

  In that moment, Trevon saw where this would go. He relaxed, for though he would not sway them at this Conference to defy the Padilrian government, and thus the Alliance, those who would have allied themselves with the Prizzoli in the hopes of gaining a crystal would be eliminated.

  The greedy and desperate were always blind.

  “We will review the footage you have provided,” Eteru continued, nodding to Trevon. “At this point, I do not agree with your assessment that we need to take specific action against the Padilrian government. Frankly, you demand respect, yet you barge in here talking of forcing the Alliance to act against Padilra, and—as Tremu stated—potentially starting something that would cause just as much death, if not more, than one of these crystals. It shows how much you still have to learn of leading a Family.”

  Zeynar kept his mouth shut. He had no reason to respond, no need to defend his views. The other Families were at least listening to him now, even if they did not agree. And if, when the time was right, Padilra still did not back down… well, they would see.

  “Now, we have another issue to deal with.” Eteru flicked a finger at Dorian Eirran and then fixed his gaze on the young man behind him, the one with the green eyes. “We will leave you to address your family business. Please inform each of the Family heads when you have cleaned your house. If not… action will be taken in this.” He pinned Tremu, Formant, and Istial with the same heavy look, nodded, and rose. “This Conference is done.”

  Finnegan stood. “Seconded.”

  “Confirmed. Conference adjourned,” Trevon said.

  No, he had not gotten all he wanted, but things were in motion.

  Now he had some shopping to do and a surprise to help plan.

  Chapter 13

  BLUE

  Blue sucked in a deep breath and then let it out, the tension flowing out with it.

  She sat on the edge of the bed with Garfield curled into her side. She wore her jeans and a tank. Not the best outfit for what she had planned, but she also wanted it to be a surprise. And if she changed what she usually wore, it would definitely give away the surprise.

  She had needed to enlist one person’s help. Levi would make sure things were in place in one of the rooms in the vacant section. They were finally having another group meeting, and she was going to use the opportunity for something special.

  She rose and paced around the room, Garfield’s eyes tracking her movement. Anticipation curled in her belly and sent her heart pounding. She paced to the curtains and looked out. The last moon was almost gone. She patted her back pocket, the faint crinkle reassuring her that the list she’d made, and the condom, were still there.

  The accident on the training field and her own near miss had merely reinforced an idea she was coming to believe with all her heart. You could plan and plan, and life would invariably throw something at you that wasn’t in those plans. You had to learn to roll with it. It also meant that if there was something you wanted, you needed to grab it and hold on tight. Especially if you already knew that something was going to say “yes” anyway.

  She once more played the Mamanna’s words in her mind. “Terms and a gift.” Well, she had come up with some terms, and she just hoped the condom was gift enough, at least for now. Maybe she should grab another?

  She was headed for the dressing room when a light tapping came from the window. Crappity. They were here. She smoothed her hand over her hair. Which was ridiculous, but she did it anyway.

  Pulling out the scrambler, she pressed the end, moved to the window, and opened it. Felix steadied her as she climbed over the sill, and Forrest held out the blindfold. She took it from him but didn’t put it on. There was still enough light from the stars that she could make out shapes and shadows; it wasn’t nearly dark enough to trigger the fear.

  They set out and soon came to what Blue now thought of as their hideout. Kind of like a tree-fort, but in an abandoned construction site instead.

  Forrest stopped her at the entrance and indicated the length of cloth she’d tucked into her front pocket. “Blindfold,” he whispered.

  Blue pulled it out and tied it on. They had figured out that what freaked her out was the idea of not being able to see when she should. Thus, the blindfold. Tying it on meant she couldn’t see, but there was a real and tangible reason for it, and she didn’t keep straining for light that just wasn’t there.

  Felix took her hand and led her forward. She knew it was his because it was larger and the calluses were in different places than Forrest’s. Felix’s hands were hard, scarred, and battered.

  “Down,” he whispered, and she ducked. Two more turns, another crouch, one turn, and Felix stopped.

  Hands gripped her shoulders and turned her.

  “Guys?” This was different.

  “Hush. Keep the blindfold in place for two more seconds, pixie. I promise it’s worth it,” Forrest whispered in her ear, then planted a light kiss on her temple and moved away.

  Felix still had her hand in his, and she gripped it. Her heart sped in anticipation and nervousness. Whatever they had cooked up had better not ruin her own surprise.

  There were muffled steps and whispered words she couldn’t quite hear. The cubs made squeaking growls somewhere off to her right, and music—so low she could barely make out the melody—started up. There was a small click, and light grew, filtering through the cloth over her eyes. A scent reached her, something light and sweet but with a hint of citrus.

  What the hell were they doing?

  “Ready,” Forrest said from somewhere in front of her, and a body stepped up to her. Hands reached out, loosening the blindfold. It slipped down to circle her neck, and she blinked, bringing Jason’s face into focus.

  He grinned at her. Then he moved to the side, allo
wing her to see beyond him.

  Flowers set in baskets and vases, on stands and the floor, filled the small space until the entire rear of the room resembled a small jungle. Forrest and Mo’ata stood in a small arbor created with shining blue and gold cloth draped so the folds fell in graceful swoops and pooled on the floor among the flowers.

  Jason whispered in her ear just as her gaze caught on Mo’ata’s hazel eyes. “They are good men, Blue. But if I ever need to beat them up for you, I will.” He straightened, blocking her view, and stepped to her right as Felix brought her hand up and laid it on his right forearm, covering her fingers with his left hand.

  “Blue.” She looked up at the mercenary, stunned. “I have honor of giving away. This is what Forrest called, though seems silly, since you would give you, not me, but…” He trailed off and shrugged.

  Her mouth opened, but no words came out. She had never… how did… this was like some fairy tale… “You all ruined my surprise.” She clenched her eyes shut and groaned.

  Really? This is what I decide to say? Instead of jumping up and down in glee?

  Felix chuckled. Answering laughter sounded around her, and she pried her eyes open to seek out Mo’ata and Forrest. They both wore wide grins.

  Blue could feel an answering smile tugging at her lips, and then she laughed, a new emotion overwhelming her. Happiness. Like a giddy schoolgirl with her first kiss from a crush or…

  Or a woman who was just proposed to by the men she loves. In an underhanded and sneaky way, but still.

  “I think I’m going to cry.” She looked back up at Felix and sniffed.

  His eyes widened, and his lips parted. “No. No crying. No allowed. Happy time.”

  She nodded, still grinning like a loon as her throat closed. “Totally a happy time.”

  Movement to her right pulled her attention that way. Lined up like bridesmaids were Jason, Levi, and Trevon. Garfield and Vivi sat at their feet, little bouquets tied around their necks. Vivi was biting at hers, but the angle was bad and she couldn’t reach the petals that teased her.

  All three men wore dark suits, white shirts, and ties. Each clutched a bouquet of flowers in their hands. Jason sent her a wry smile, and Trevon’s eyes twinkled at her. Yes, the hooligan had a damned twinkle. Levi stood straight, pride radiating from him.

  Her attention went back to the two men waiting for her amidst a jungle of flowers. Mo’ata wore a suit as well, his hair tied back from his now clean-shaven face. Though the stiches had been removed a few days after the accident and the scab substantially healed, the new scar stood out in a red line. He was still handsome. Almost more so now. His red hair shone, and his hazel eyes captured hers. His expression was calm, sure. His certainty in what he wanted was evident in every line, in the way he stood, and in the smile that started small and grew into the one she saw so rarely, the one that sent her heat pounding.

  Forrest stood beside him, and he’d somehow managed to change into a suit as well. He must have scrambled into it as soon as he’d left her standing here. He grinned at her, so pleased with himself for pulling this off. She could see it.

  And she could see the love in him. He stood there at ease beside the clansman. He knew what this meant, and he was taking the leap with her.

  Someone must have hit a switch because the music changed. The guys all stepped in front of her, bowed, and walked down an aisle demarked by vases of flowers and greenery. Garfield and Vivi went next, Vivi pausing occasionally to make a swipe at the flowers around her neck.

  Then Felix stepped forward, taking her with him. They walked down the aisle.

  I’m walking down a fucking aisle. Her hand tightened on Felix’s arm, and she had to stop herself from skipping. He kept them to a steady pace. Step. Come together. Step. Just like Blue had seen in the few weddings she’d attended. Someone had practiced.

  They finally came to a halt before the two men, her two men. She stared into Forrest’s blue, blue eyes and said, “Your mom is going to kill you.”

  “We’ll do it again when we visit.”

  “Will I get a dress for that one?”

  “I would have insisted on a dress, but I know how you don’t love them. We did pull off the flowers, though.” Then he bounced on his feet, and Blue just had to laugh.

  Mo’ata held out a hand, and Felix pulled her closer, setting her hand in the clansman’s, giving her away, as her father couldn’t. They were doing their best, these men, in a situation that was less than ideal.

  She swallowed. Her smile fell away, and she tipped her head back, meeting Mo’ata’s gaze. His own smile fell into something more somber, something closer to what she was used to seeing on him. “It is not—I am not used to your ways, Blue Faust, but I was done waiting. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow or the next day or two months from now. There may be hordes of angry natives, or a mountain may fall on us. I know I said I would wait and that I would say yes when you were ready, but…” He trailed off, a faint frown overtaking his features, and he glanced at Forrest.

  Forrest took over. Dropping to one knee, he pulled out a small box. “Blue, my pixie, will you marry us?”

  Mo’ata looked down at him and then at Blue and quickly dropped to one knee. Like dominos, the others followed, though Levi looked puzzled. Jason and Trevon both gave small shrugs and dropped as well. She was sure they knew this wasn’t how things were supposed to go. Trevon sent her a wink. Yup, he’s messing with me. Or them.

  Blue didn’t answer right away. Instead she reached into her back pocket and pulled out a piece of paper.

  FORREST

  Forrest held his breath when Blue didn’t say anything. He’d thought she would love this. When Mo’ata had approached him about doing something for Blue and cementing their relationship, it had seemed perfect. He had already had the idea and was just looking for the right time to bring it up.

  In Mo’ata’s culture, the woman made the first move.

  But in many areas of Earth, the man was supposed to be the initiator. And no matter how much his own mother said it didn’t matter, that a woman could certainly ask a man out, Forrest knew old ideas died hard. He’d explained this to the clansman and insisted staging this would be just what they needed to do.

  Now he looked into Blue’s face and couldn’t read her. She’d been beaming earlier; she’d joked with him. She’d let Felix walk her down the aisle and smiled at her bridesmaids. Could that be what he’d done wrong? Should he have been more formal?

  Did she really want the dress?

  He lowered his arm as she pulled a slip of paper from her back pocket. Something else fell out onto the floor by her boot.

  A condom.

  Heat and blood rushed through him, to his cheeks and lower. He shifted as his pants grew tight. A night not that long ago, and far too long ago, filled his mind. He remembered her as she’d been, shy and determined and completely adorable.

  And sexy as fuck. He wanted her again.

  But tonight was supposed to be Mo’ata’s night, if all went according to plan.

  From the looks of things, Blue had definitely had some sort of plan.

  Her boot lifted and stepped on the condom, covering it up.

  He looked back up at her and grinned. She was a mess. Her hair was pulled back in a braid, and though it had probably been neat at some point, the blindfold and rush through the village had pulled out tendrils and flyaways. Her cheeks were flushed, her shirt collar was crooked, and she wore no makeup. Not that she ever wore much.

  She was still the most beautiful girl he knew.

  And this moment was for her. He wanted it perfect. No, not perfect.

  He wanted it perfect for her. He wanted it pixie perfect.

  Her lips thinned, and she held up the piece of paper in her hand. “You guys ruined my surprise.” Her tone was stern. Then her lip twitched up and the cubs purred, and Forrest knew everything was right.

  The music picked up in volume, and Forrest sang the lyrics in his head. She may not
remember or recognize the song with just the background track, but he knew it. It was from the ballroom scene in Labyrinth, and the first song he’d sung just to her. For her.

  “But that’s okay,” she continued. She got down on one knee so that she matched the rest of them. Her gaze fixed on Forrest, and his heart pounded. “Thank you,” she said. “I know this was your idea.”

  “Hey, we helped.” Trevon, at the end of the row of kneeling men, just had to interrupt. Forrest didn’t mind too much, though. The man had helped and not accepted the return of his penny for it. Plus, Forrest wasn’t letting anything ruin this moment for him.

  Blue twisted and glared at the other man. “Hush. I’m having a moment here.” She turned back and matched Forrest’s grin with her own.

  And that was it, right there. Forrest concentrated on this moment, this point in time, and captured it. That grin, with the messy hair and the take-no-shit attitude. That sheer joy. That was what he wanted. That was pixie perfect.

  “Whatcha got there, pixie?” he asked, nodding to the paper. “Is that our surprise?”

  MO’ATA

  Mo’ata swallowed, hard. His heart was pounding, and he wanted to tell everyone to just shut up and let Blue talk.

  He had done what Forrest told him to do, and Blue hadn’t answered. Was it because he hadn’t asked the question or offered the ring himself? Trevon had gotten the flowers and suits and even retrieved the musical piece Forrest had insisted on. He had found the ring with a diamond in it, just as Forrest had described. Levi had traded for the cloth used to create an arbor. Felix had “given her away,” and she’d had attendants. They had all the parts of a traditional joining for her people.

  Forrest grinned at her, and she smiled back at him, holding that paper.

  What was on it? Why didn’t she answer?