Rycksyn's behavior did not improve. In the middle of the night, Andi gathered her things and Penelope, and fled. She knew she wanted to seek shelter with a fellow former frat boy, and it wasn't difficult to decide who. Of the options, the one with the most stable life was Jewelweed, the dryad formerly known as Jim. She also happened to be the one who could use the most help.
Andi knocked on the door of the massive house Jewelweed shared with her mate Conluscious. Conluscious opened the door. Seeing her state, he quickly ushered her in and got her settled on the couch to sleep for the rest of the night, telling her that she could explain things in the morning.
In the morning, Andi woke to the smell of pancakes. She sat up on the couch and looked into the nearby kitchen.
"Are you up?" a melodic voice asked. "You stopped snoring."
"Um, yes." Andi grabbed Penelope from the box she'd been placed in for the night and walked into the kitchen. Jewelweed's home was large and very nice, with plenty of room for the many offspring Conluscious was determined to have. But it still felt cozy. Jewelweed stood at the stove. Andi felt a surge of jealousy.
Of the former frat boys, Jewelweed was the most attractive. She was tall, slender, green-skinned, and green-haired. Her figure was absolutely perfect. Or, at least, it was when she wasn't pregnant. Right now, she was newly pregnant with another child from Conluscious. Her stomach bulged slightly, but she still looked gorgeous.
Three babies, two satyrs and one dryad, were in a carrier on her back. Two of them were Jewelweed's recently born twins, while the third was from Conluscious's previous, deceased mate.
"Conluscious had to leave for an emergency," Jewelweed said. "But he told me how you came here, and that I was to find out what happened." She placed a plate of pancakes on the kitchen table. "Eat while you tell me."
Andi did as she was told. Jewelweed's big, brown eyes narrowed in anger at her friend's mistreatment.
"Conluscious is on the elder council. I'll tell him and we'll get that vile Rycksyn taken care of," Jewelweed said firmly. Andi sighed in relief. "And you are free to stay here as long as you need."
"Thanks." Andi finished her breakfast. Jewelweed picked up the plate and washed it in the sink. "I insist on doing something to help, though. I can't just laze around all day."
"Well, if you insist..."
"I do."
"My stepchildren are out of school for the summer. Watching them and the three babies on my own is doable, but not if I want to do my chores and run errands as well. Conluscious and I have been discussing hiring a nanny."
"I'll do it!" Andi blurted out. "For free! All I need is a roof over my head and food."
"We'll discuss a salary later," Jewelweed said. "My stepchildren are waking up. Soon, there will be chaos in the kitchen. I suggest you take Penelope outside where it's quiet."
From then on, Andi was a nanny for Jewelweed and Conluscious's growing family. She even nursed the three babies in addition to Penelope, something Jewelweed greatly appreciated. As a dryad, she didn't produce much milk, but the satyr babies were thirsty. For the first time, Andi finally felt safe in this world.
Two months into her role as nanny...