Epilogue

Part 23

            "I still wish you'd let me come with you," Neena grumbled.

            "I wish I could let you, but I have to do this on my own," Adrian replied. The two stood outside in front of Naomi and Turlock's place, saying their goodbyes. "I've captured a lot more sprites and fairies than I care to remember and only I can get into most of the places I've had to send them to. They'd know you were a sprite the minute you walked in the door." Neena started to protest and he added. "And besides, this is my own penance. I NEED to do this, mothwing."

            This being a point she could not argue with, she attacked the pet name/insult instead. "Don't call me that…!"

            "Don't act like you don't like it," he said, arching an eyebrow knowingly as he pulled her in tightly. Before she could snap at him, he used his hand to gently scratch her back between her wings. The effect on her temper was immediate.

            "Shut up!" she sighed, barely containing her delighted smile as her wings and knees trembled. "And don't be gone too long, okay?"

            "I'll come back, no matter what," he said, cupping her chin in his hand to give her a gentle kiss. "This much I can promise you." He started to walk away.

            "Oh, I know you will," she smirked, regaining her composure quickly. "You gotta come back for this!" He turned and she held up the sapphire that had started the whole thing. He patted the pocket he had it in with a frown, then smiled at her.

            "You think that's all you've stolen from me?" He gave her a quick wink and started to walk again.

            She thought for a moment, trying to remember what else she'd lifted, then blushed. His heart, she thought. Oh, wow…

            "Well, you gotta come back for that, too," she said softly to his retreating form. And with that, she thrust her hands into her pockets and walked back into Turlock and Naomi's cabin, whistling all the way.

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