“You should come with us to Tenacity, Groth. There are other girls in the house that you might like to meet.”
His pupils narrowed, and I knew I had his attention.
“I will go.”
“What will your house want for trade?” Azio asked.
“Anything that will keep them warm or from starving. Blankets. Dried goods. Canned items are fine, but they don’t stretch as far. Honestly, though, they won’t think the baby clothes are worth much and won’t expect much for them. So canned goods could work too.”
“We have many blankets from Warrensburg. Mom put them in the basement of the storage shed. We can take those.”
“Perfect.”
Within an hour, we had blankets packed in totes, and the same fey who’d helped retrieve them from Warrensburg carried them to Tenacity with us.
Our reception wasn’t entirely welcome. Those gathered near the wall where we landed glared, and one stupid man told the fey they weren’t welcome there.
After spending so much time with Azio and Groth, I saw what it did to the fey. The hurt. The hopelessness.
“Come on. Let’s trade and go back home.” Our group drew enough attention that Matt, the leader of Tenacity, intercepted us before we reached the house.
“Morning, Azio. What brings you to Tenacity?”
“We have blankets for my old housemates,” I said.
Matt’s brows rose. “Old?”
My chest tightened, and I threaded my fingers through Azio’s for support. I knew everything had happened quickly, and everyone would think what they would. But that didn’t make this moment any more comfortable.
“I’ve moved to Tolerance to be with Azio.”
“Well then, congratulations to both of you. And I’m glad I had a chance to hear it from you myself. There are rumors going around that you’d been taken against your will.”
I snorted.
“Absolutely not. Azio offered me a place after Wayne told me we were no longer married. I didn’t realize how badly I needed a fresh start.” I glanced at Azio and smiled. “Or someone who knew how to treat me right.”
Azio tugged me into his arms for a hug and a light kiss to my forehead. It wasn’t to impress Matt or the few people unobtrusively watching us. It was for me, and I felt completely cherished at that moment.
“Well, I couldn’t be happier for you,” Matt said sincerely. “And if there are any leftover blankets after you visit your old house, be sure to let me know. I know a few families who could use them.”
“We will,” I said.
He nodded and walked off, leaving us to travel the rest of the way on our own.
Bobby answered the door when we knocked.
“Hey, Azio, it’s been a while. It’s good to see you, too, Terri. Come in. Wayne’s not here right now.”
“That’s fine. I’m not here for Wayne,” I said.
We followed Bobby into the kitchen, where he and Grandma were in the middle of a game of cards.
“I was hoping to make a trade. All these blankets for the baby clothes in the basement.” I gestured to the totes the fey were setting down in the living room. “I figured you could keep what you want and trade up for what you need with them.”
“Absolutely,” Grandma said without hesitation. “Wayne’s bringing less wood back. Something about having to go farther to find trees that are already dead. I think they’re cutting fresh stuff to season it for next winter, too. But a fat lot of good that does us now.” As she spoke, she motioned for us to follow her. “I’m guessing things are going just fine for you then?”
“More than fine. Going to Tolerance was the best decision I ever made.” I reclaimed Azio’s hand, and his thumb stroked over my skin.