“A lot of Fae can appear in shadow form if they wish.” Daria frowned. “Speaking is much more complicated unless they hold a lot of power...or no power.”
“What do you mean?”
“Our shadow forms can speak for us if we are, say, someone with lots of power and can manifest that amount of energy. It takes a lot of energy to project when we can just show up ourselves. My kin has always been powerful, but our Fae King Marx is the most powerful one, and he speaks through his rats.”
“And the no power thing?”
“When on the verge of death or in pain, some Fae get that short burst of very powerful energy.”
“Like a defense mechanism?”
“Exactly. They can use it however they like or in whatever capacity they can. Again, it depends on the Fae, but it has been rumored to happen multiple times.” Daria tilted his head. “I always wanted to test it out. But I have never been in that kind of pain or on the brink of death.”
Her tone was so serious that he knew he had to cut the conversation short. Nico patted her shoulder.
“I’m glad you are not on the brink of death. Thank you, Daria.”
“Whatever were those questions for?”
“Curiosity,” he said, which was partially the truth. “Anyway, I have to go. Thanks again.”
He left her wandering and trudged off, intending to find more answers. Along the way, he bumped into Peachy, who brightened with an innate glow.
“Nico!” she exclaimed, throwing herself on him. He hugged her back, then glanced at Michael as the man stepped into view. The lack of jealousy had Nico relaxing as he nudged her back and grinned.
“Hey, you. You seem happy.”
“I am happy. We are getting married in the fall, and want you to be our witness.”
Confounded, he looked at the two and realized that Michael was wordlessly asking him, too. The hopeful expression on Peachy’s face had him nodding before he knew it, and the way she lit up made him glad that he didn’t refuse. But when she left and Michael lingered, Nico turned to him.
“Congratulations,” he said.
“Thanks.”
Nico tilted his head, perusing his brother. While Michael wasn’t outwardly glowing like Peachy was, there was contentment in his eyes and a relaxed state to his body that had always been restless.
“Isn’t it fast?” he asked, just to be sure.
There was a pause as Michael considered his question.
“I have known her for years and wasted many of those years avoiding my feelings for her,” the man confessed. It was said so matter-of-factly that there was no doubt in Nico’s mind how every word resonated true. “Now I got her back, and I don’t want to waste a second more. When you know, you know.”
Just like that, Nico felt happy for them. The last words rang in his head, but his brother’s next words took him out of it.
“I’m sorry for hurting you. I’m sorry for what I did with Daniella.”
He couldn’t even envision Daniella anymore, but the apology made something inside him soften, anyway. Nico nodded.
“Forget about it. One thing, though.”
“What?”
“You hurt Peachy, and I will gouge your eyes out.”
Michael’s lips quirked. Then he smiled, so open and amused that Nico knew they were going to be all right.
“It’s a deal. Oh, by the way…”