X. A Fairy's Burden

“So,” Bittersweet said, “did you take the Queen's suggestion, and paint a gold streak in his hair?”

“I did not,” Butternut said defiantly, “do aught so ridiculous. But neither did I tie knots in it. I've my pride to think of.”

“But of course,” Bittersweet said most sweetly. She saw Petal come up behind them, but Butternut did not.

“These Mortals,” he grumbled, “with their thank yous, and their thises and their thats. The things a Fairy must put up with.”

“It gets worse,” Petal said with her most radiant smile.