Chapter 32

I stumbled towards the stairs to blindly make my way to the coffee pot, but the smell of beans already brewing made a tiny little corner of my heart leap with joy.

Standing there in the kitchen, intently watching the java perk, was Killian and he was looking fit as a fiddle. I couldn’t believe it.

I’m not much for displays of physical affection, but I went over to the big lug and hugged him tightly. And then socked him in the arm, “Don’t you ever scare me like that again.”

He put me in a headlock and gave me a knuckle sandwich, “Your wish is my command.”

The elf was definitely loosening up.

I rolled out of the hold and pretty much breathed for the first time since I saw them carry him off on that stretcher.

Christ. I couldn’t take it. I went over to the cupboard and grabbed some cups. “Shouldn’t you be laid up for a couple more days?” I asked.

Killian rotated his arm in his cuff ruefully, “I ache, but elves have the benefit of magical healing. So, I am back.”

“Don’t think I’m picking up any of your slack, Mr. Slacker McInjured Pants.”

“Even half dead, I vanquished more doppelgangers than you.”

“And here I thought I had finally gotten rid of you,” I sighed.

“I am afraid you are stuck with me,” he said as he poured himself some cereal.

I shook my head wistfully, “Maybe someday if I dream hard enough…”

Crunching his granola bits, he asked, “So, how shall we try to die today?”

While he seemed all patched up, I rested my hand on his shoulder seriously, “Are you sure you don’t want to be injured a couple more days? I could use the snow break.”

Killian shook his head, “We do not have time.”

It sucked to be in charge of making sure there was no rest for the wicked.

“Well, I need to figure out how the heck we are going to get around with my car on the wrong side of the boundary. The jump point closest to Father Killarney’s church is in the middle of your elfin forest. Somewhere.” I finger combed my hair, “Killian? Do you elves have a car we could borrow?”

Killian replied, “In light of my comprised state, the queen has already secured us transportation.”

I couldn’t even imagine what sort of incredible ride that fairy royalty would “secure”. We walked outside and, yes, it was quite unimaginable.

It looked like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and a Model-T had a baby, crank start and all.

“She thought it had character,” Killian stated dryly.

It certainly had that. I patted his shoulder. I guess it was better than two legs or a bicycle. Marginally.

I loaded it up with my stuff and with great puffs of smoke and coughing fits, I was able to crank the engine enough to turn it over. We chugged slowly off to the courthouse and my favorite record keeper’s office.