51 Let's Go Home Ash

"Yes," he admitted. "It has to do with how you make your money, right? I told you before that I didn't care what you did as long as it wasn't illegal. I knew from the start that you were capable of doing some sort of trick to get rich quick; why would knowing details about it change the way I think about you?"

Ruby was stunned. Her wrists were still hooked around his neck but her arms were straight so there was a bit of distance between their faces. She let go and flew back a little, rubbing her hands together in front of her chest a bit defensively.

"You…don't care?" she asked haltingly.

Ash nodded seriously. "Ruby, I set the terms of our deal and I meant them. Whatever power you have it's yours to use how you wish. As soon as I have enough money to take my revenge you're free to go and I'll owe you a blood barrier spell when you settle down, as promised."

Hope warred with distrust in her eyes. "Really?"

He hated that she was so apprehensive about the idea that someone could actually be trusted not to abuse her powers. He couldn't let her know that he had accidentally investigated her with not one but two witches at different points in time. She would lose the blossoming trust she had in him.

"Really," Ash said firmly. "I do hope you'll come visit me now and then though. I do enjoy spending time with you and you are the only friend I have left in this world."

"You're the only friend I have too," Ruby murmured. "So I should trust you more. Truth is, I'm not running from an arranged marriage; my uncle tried to sell me to some rich and powerful fae I had never met because of my money-making abilities.

"He said it was only for a hundred years and then I could come home as if that would actually make it okay! My parents always warned me not to tell anyone about it because they were afraid people would get greedy and they were right. I was sold out by my own flesh and blood.

"I don't even know who they were trying to sell me to aside from the fact that they live somewhere on the west coast. I had to make a break for it with nothing but the clothes on my back, leaving my baby cousin behind. She was the only one who truly loved me after my parents died in the innocent way only a child can."

Ash's frozen heart twisted at her words. Sold? They actually tried to sell her like some sort of object?

He had guessed they wanted to abuse her powers somehow but this was far beyond his already low expectations. How horrible. Ruby didn't deserve that.

Her parents died when she was young and the people who raised her after that saw her only as some sort of walking talking ATM once they discovered the truth about her powers. It was amazing she even managed to trust him enough to say this much.

She blinked up at him in disbelief. "You honestly think so? I don't think I'm all that nice. I've been told I'm selfish for keeping my power to myself when it could be used to benefit others."

No doubt by her terrible relatives. He almost wished her uncle was back in front of them so he could tear the useless fairy limb from limb.

"You are not! I told you before; I was the coven leader so it was my job to be selfless and deal with it no matter how I felt. My kin cared for me in general terms but never bothered to learn what I wanted or show any real degree of consideration. You did back when we were practically strangers," Ash said fervently.

"You are the kindest fae I have ever had the good fortune to meet. You are fun to talk to, make me laugh, and have overall been an excellent distraction while my world was falling apart. You almost make me believe that I can actually continue living on even though everyone I loved is gone.

"Yes, your skills are helpful but I don't want us to stay friends because of that. It's because I enjoy spending time with you. My friend Ruby Gardner. Nothing more, nothing less. Do you understand?"

Her cheeks pinked adorably and a dazzling smile lit her face. "You really mean that, don't you?"

Ash nodded. "Yes. I do. So why don't we forget about revenge and moneymaking and your uncle for now and go home. I'll keep you safe inside the blood barrier until this all blows over; I finally figured out how to do a full dome."

Ruby tilted her head quizzically. "Home?"

He coughed in embarrassment. They had been staying together so long that it came out due to habit. "I meant my castle. You did use it as your permanent residence on the bank account application and you already have things set up there for your comfort so I thought—"

She placed her hands on both sides of his face and squished his cheeks so he couldn't talk anymore. Her smile this time was even more brilliant than the one she gave him before. It was filled with joy and her eyes crinkled at the corners like they wanted to join in on the fun.

"I get it. Let's go home, Ash."

Something tight in his chest loosened at the way Ruby said his name. It was similar to the way Ariadne and little Ezra used to say it; infused with genuine affection.