“Really?”
Selene can’t quite meet my eyes. “Yes.” She fiddles with the zipper on her black leather jacket. “Our gifts won’t be the same, but they complement each other.”
“It’s perfect. Almost like fate.” If looks could kill, Huxley’s heart would no longer be beating. I don’t know why Selene’s giving him a death-stare, but given what I know of them, I’m inclined to take her side. Hux is proving to be quite the wind-up merchant. “Between the two of us teaching you, you’ll have your powers under control in no time.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I tell Selene. I’m not sure what’s going on, but her discomfort is plain to see.
“No, I want to help.” She finally meets my gaze. “We’re in this together, Jared.” Her statement hangs heavy in the air between us.
“Well.” Hux claps his hands together. “I think that’s enough for today. Selene, you should help Jared get home—he’s still looking a little pale.”
“And what are you going to be doing?” She asks, voice tight.
“I have a date.” He winks. “You two have a good night.” He jauntily exits the gazebo before either of us can utter another word.
“I can make it home myself—you don’t have to worry.” At least I think I can.
Selene raises one dark eyebrow, unamused. “Stand up on your own and we’ll see.”
Right. Standing. I’ve got this.
Cautiously, I shift from kneeling to a crouch, then slowly get to my feet. The gazebo swirls like I’m in a fun house.I haven’t got this.
Warm hands grip my shoulders, steadying me. “Easy, Golden Boy. I’ve got you.”
Selene loops her arm around my waist, propping me up while we wait for my head to settle. Wait.
“What did you call me?”
“Nothing. Come on, let’s get you home.”
She reaches down with her free hand to scoop Hux’s blanket from the floor and drapes it over my shoulders. My chest tightens at the thoughtful gesture.
Luckily nothing’s exactly far away in a town this size, but what should be a twenty minute walk still takes thirty thanks to my legs doing their best imitation of a newborn foal. Eventually, Selene sees me safely inside my front door and helps me settle on the sofa.
Gentle hands pull the blanket off the back of the couch on top of me—between it and the one round my shoulders I feel like a human burrito. It’s nice.
Before she can leave, my hand shoots out, lightly gripping her delicate wrist. “Why are you taking care of me?” I’ve been on my own so long I almost forgot what it was like to be looked after.
Her beautiful face softens, and my heart stutters. God, she’s stunning. “Get some rest, Jared. I’ll see you soon.” My hand drops, and hope shrivels in my chest as I watch her leave.
Right. Just because I feel like an exposed nerve ending after my power surge doesn’t mean I should read too much into Selene’s kindness. Sure, she agreed to dinner, but all that means is she’s interested in getting to know me. I need to nip my growing feelings in the bud before I scare her off by being too eager.
Chapter 13
Selene
When I stab myself with the needle for the tenth time, I admit defeat, setting it aside with a grumble. I’m in the back office of Threads of Magic trying to add the finishing touches to Dove’s new chef’s jacket, but thoughts of Jared keep breaking my focus. Since the incident at the gazebo, I haven’t gone more than a few minutes without thinking about him. At this rate, it’ll take me forever to finish the remaining details and cast the enchantments on the jacket.
I’ve never known fear like when I felt Jared’s power surge yesterday. I ran to the gazebo as quickly as I could. When I found him lying on the ground like that, I could have killed Huxley. I’m still fuming that he was so careless with Jared’s safety.
The only thing stopping me from throttling Huxley was his quick thinking in blaming my sudden appearance on the wards I set. The little shit knew exactly what was going on between me and Jared the moment I came crashing into the gazebo. I thought the draw to be near him was strong before, but the moment his amulet came off it magnified tenfold. Luckily, he bought Huxley’s excuse. He was already in shock after the power surge—finding out about our mate bond might have pushed him over the edge.
Now that Huxley knows Jared and I are mates, it’s only a matter of time before he gives it away. He was hardly subtle, hinting at our powers complementing each other. Jared should hear the truth from me, but I don’t want to rush him, especially not after yesterday. Maybe I can tell him when we go out to dinner.
I’m just lucky I was working alone yesterday afternoon and not with Gwyn. I sprinted outside, only just remembering to flip the sign to closed and lock the door behind me. I reopened the shop once I got back from walking Jared home, and it doesn’t seem like news of the temporary closure has made it back to Gwyn yet. There’s no way my big sister wouldn’t demand an explanation if she’d heard about my strange behaviour. Hopefully it stays that way. While I enjoy Gwyn looking out for me most of the time, if there was ever a reason to hide something from her it’s to protect my mate’s privacy.
Speaking of privacy, Dove and Cordelia have both noticed something’s up with me and insisted on a girl’s night tonight. The last thing I want is to deal with the crowds at Hunter’s Moon, but Cordelia threatened to drag me there if I tried to back out. The problem is, I’ve got no idea how much to tell them about the situation with Jared. While I know I can trust them not to say anything, part of me feels guilty for considering telling my friends about the bond before discussing it with him.
