Page 89 of When Ashes Fall

Gizzi darted up to where I sat on a tree branch with my feet propped up and my back against the trunk. This branch, in the tree of unity, was a perfect place to read.

Plus, I got to absorb the energy pulsating through the beautiful tree while inhaling its freshly blooming flowers’ fragrance. Pleasant little tingles ran across my skin from soaking up the tree’s strength.

While I read, they’d faded into the background, but I became aware of them again as Zephyr flew into the room. He had a pair of Knox’s boots tucked under his arm.

With a squeak, Gizzi dashed through the tree and into the limbs stretching toward the open roof above. The buzz of the bees mingled with the sprites’ giggles and the scrape of Gizzi’s claws.

“Oops,” Zephyr said.

He dropped one of Knox’s boots onto the floor. He picked it up to peer down at something before releasing the boot again.

“What is it?” I asked.

“It accidentally fell on one of those spiders.”

“They’re good for us and good luck,” I reminded him.

“Well, that one’s good luck ran out.”

Zephyr grinned at me before zooming away. He left the boot behind but took the other with him.

I returned to my book. It was best if I didn’t know what the mischievous creatures were up to.

A few minutes later, a loud curse drew my attention, and I looked up as Knox swatted aside a swinging boot. At the end of one of the strings, it spun around him as the sprites giggled, slapped hands, and buzzed around the rafters.

“Little assholes,” Knox muttered as he slapped the boot aside again.

When Dromon entered behind him, the sprites released another boot. It arced toward Dromon’s head as it swung through the air. The shifter must have heard it coming as he dodged out of the way and smacked the boot aside before it hit him in the head.

When he hit it, color erupted from the boot as it flipped upside down and spun in circles. It threw a rainbow of sand everywhere. The sprites squealed with laughter as sand settled around the shifters’ shoulders, sparkled in their hair, and turned them into colorful, scowling behemoths.

I couldn’t stop chuckling as Gizzi’s laughter echoed in my head. Dromon and Knox looked as happy as a dragon poked with a spear, but they didn’t lash out at the sprites or start cursing.

When Knox’s eyes landed on me, his scowl deepened at the sight of me belly laughing in the tree. My stomach hurt from laughing, and tears formed as he shook some of the sparkly rainbow off his head.

I’d spent the past few days avoiding him, but I was glad to be here for this. I smirked at him as I leaned against the trunk.

I opened my book again, but didn’t look at the story about a princess falling in love with a kind prince. The prince worshipped the ground she walked on and treated her like a queen.

It was bullshit.

I had no idea why I was reading this garbage. When I chose it, I was looking for a diversion from Knox, but I hated this story… especially since my prince had turned into an overbearing ogre.

Closing the book, I sat up on the branch and slid down to the next one. I was about to climb out of the tree and retreat to my workroom when a hand extended to me.

I’d recognize that hand anywhere, but why was Knox offering to help me from the tree? Was he going to drop me on my face or command me to do something?

My eyes met Knox’s as I waited to see what was coming. He stared expectantly back at me. He’d shaken most of the sand off, but colored flecks still stuck to his black shirt and pants. At least he was finally wearing clothes.

I hesitated before sliding my hand into his. Clasping it, he placed a hand on my waist and helped me from the tree.

“Is that a comfortable place to read?” he asked.

“You haven’t tried it before?”

“No. My father never would have approved of me lounging in a tree and reading books. Since my return…” His words trailed off as he shrugged. “Who has time for reading?”

He could probably make time, but I was sure he’d punish himself for indulging in something while his kingdom remained in ruins. A pang of sympathy stabbed my heart. Why did he make it so difficult to keep hating him as I sanely should?