“It helps that the fae, witches, and vampires all had their own successions after. New blood all around, and we avoided a catastrophe.” My granny shudders. “I don’t like to think of what would have happened to the human population if the four mystical ones went to war again.”
“Probably drafted to the cause,” I grumble, but I’m happy the subject has moved on from the current royal succession.
“Well, eat up. I’ll go put some fresh sheets on the spare bed. We have dinner and cards at the senior hall this evening if you want to come with us,” Granny suggests as she gets up from the table, taking her and Grampy’s empty plates with them.
“Thanks, but I’m kind of tired, so I think I’ll go for a walk along the beach and call it an early night. I’ll just grab something from the boardwalk for dinner,” I tell her, and she nods before disappearing into the house.
“Are you okay, Colbs? You’re quieter than normal.” Grampy looks at me with concern. I don’t meet his eyes because I know if I do, he’ll see and push.
“Yeah, just really tired. It’s been a long few years of getting the bakery established,” I lie and feel a wave of guilt, not ready to talk about what’s bothering me.
He reaches over and gives my hand a squeeze. There are age spots on the back of his hand, and the guilt turns to sadness, knowing that these two aren’t going to be around forever.
“You deserve the break. You work too hard. Being the boss means you should be able to delegate. You need to trust that your employees have your back. You’re a good judge of character and wouldn’t have hired people you couldn’t trust.”
My grampy used to have his own business, a hardware shop, prior to retiring and selling it, and both Mom and I learned so much from him that we applied it to our own businesses.
“You’re right, and I do trust them. That doesn’t mean it’s not hard letting go though,” I admit, and he chuckles before picking up his cup and taking a sip of tea.
“You’ll learn.”
Chapter
Ten
Colbie
Ichat with them both a little longer, but they have to get ready for their night out, so after dumping my bag in the spare bedroom I always use, I wave goodbye and walk down the street. I’m going to check out the little shops along the boardwalk before walking along the beach to my favorite cove. It has this amazing rock I can sit on and look out at the ocean as I contemplate life. I take a blanket and the book I was reading last night.
I am doing everything in my power to pretend the marks under my cuffs aren’t there, but it isn’t working. It’s constantly in the back of my mind, like a specter haunting my every thought. How am I going to get out of this? I wonder if the fae or the witches can help me. Would one of them have a spell strong enough to override a goddess’s magic? Probably not. I’d most likely need help from another goddess, but the idea of appealing to one of the others is terrifying.
I fiddle with a cuff as I make my way through the little shops on the boardwalk. There are clothing and bookshops, anew age shop with crystals and self-help books, and my personal childhood favorite, the candy store. I stand at the window and watch as the man pours molten hot candy onto a table before adding flavor and color, then it gets pulled on machines, changing its color, before it eventually gets rolled, cut, and wrapped in colorful paper wrappers.
I head in to get a sample of the fresh taffy. It’s coconut and delicious, but instead, I buy a huge bag of mixed taffy. There isn’t a flavor I don’t love, and it’s too hard to pick, so mixed is the perfect solution.
I pop a piece into my mouth and keep walking. I consider grabbing something more substantial to eat, but I’m not all that hungry. Instead, I buy a frozen cola slushie and walk down the steps onto the beach. It’s afternoon, and the wind has kicked up even more, chasing away any possible beachgoers. There’s only me with the gulls and sand whipping across the shore.
The waves crash against the shoreline, and the sound goes a long way in drowning out all my thoughts. I kick off my sandals and place them in the bag with the taffy, my book, and phone. I wrap a towel around my neck, and I start moving. There is something so calming about just putting one foot in front of the other, not worrying about where you are or where you have to be. It’s freeing.
I’m thankful for my sunglasses, because they protect my eyes from the blowing sand. Most people would think I’m crazy enjoying the beach like this, but it’s my favorite way.
The sound of a dog barking hits my ears, and I look up. Farther down the beach, I see three dogs racing around, chasing a ball thrown by someone. I can’t make out if it’s a male or female because they are too far away. It doesn’t bother me though, and I’m sure by the time I get to them, they will have had enough and left.
I look out at the ocean, and I see clouds starting to build up, growing darker. The storm is still a while off, so I have time to finish my walk before I have to head home. I love watching storms from my grandparents’ enclosed porch. I wrap myself in a blanket, and Granny brings me tea and cookies while I count the flashes of lightning and the claps of thunder.
My mind returns to my problems, and I grimace. Ugh, I came for a walk to forget all my issues. I wonder if there has ever been an occasion where another human who was selected didn’t want the job. Maybe I’ll do a computer search or head to the library and look through some history books. I feel a tear trickle down my face, and I quickly wipe it away, but more join it. Fuck, what am I going to do? My stomach rolls, and my heart pounds. I can’t be the shifter queen. I have to get out of this.
A dog barks again, and I look up. The woman and the dogs must have turned and started walking in my direction, because they are a lot closer now. In fact, all three of them ignore the last throw of the ball and come barreling toward me. I chuckle as the three little poodles surround my legs, wagging their tails furiously and pawing at me for cuddles. I crouch down and scratch their ears. They are adorable. I always wanted a pet, but my mother would never let me have one because she didn’t want fur all over her fabric. I tried to argue that poodles don’t shed, but she still wouldn’t let me have one, and now as an adult, my hours are so unsociable it wouldn’t be fair for any creature I decided to bring home.
“Oh my goodness, aren’t you adorable and sandy… So sandy,” I say to the three dogs.
“Yeah, it’s a nightmare to get the sand out of their coats, but they love it.” I look up as the woman approaches me, and my mouth drops open. She’s gorgeous. Her beautiful blonde hair whips around her face in the wind, her hazel eyes sparkle with joy, and her lush lips are turned up in a grin.
“Sorry about them. They are man whores who will do anything to get a pretty girl’s attention.” One of the dogs yips at her, and she chuckles. I stand as she picks up the ball and throws it again. The three dogs take off after it, and we watch them as they tackle each other, trying to get to the ball first.
“They look like a handful,” I murmur to her, and she grins at me.
“They are the loves of my life, but yes, they can be a lot to handle. Luckily I’m good at juggling. Are you okay? I couldn’t help but notice you looked a little sad,” the woman says as she turns her attention back to me.
