Her red lips curved. “You wouldn’t be the first man to think so.” Glancing at all of them, she gestured to the tent flap. “One at a time, if you please. You can give your coin to Marc as you enter. I don’t like to sully my second sight with something so mundane as payment.”
A snort came from Ford.
The young woman only winked at him as she lifted the tent’s flap.
Elowen paid four silver coins to Marc—who was watching them all closely, though he didn’t say a word—before she followed the fortune-teller into the tent. The square behind them was loud enough that Amryn couldn’t hear a word that was said inside, but she felt Elowen’s thrum of excited anticipation.
Ford took up a position that kept Marc and the tent in his sight but also allowed him to view the square. Ever the protective soldier.
Ivan shifted a little closer to Amryn, though his eyes also scanned the crowd. She couldn’t help but smile at how frequently his attention returned to the fortune-teller’s tent.
Making use of her new fan, Amryn basked in the cool movement of air while they waited for Elowen. A sudden awareness hit her, and the fan faltered in her hand as the tingling sensation spread. It felt like eyes were trained on her.
Pulse skipping, Amryn glanced around. The square was flooded with people, some even dancing nearby to trilling pipe music. She couldn’t see anyone watching her, and when she reached out with the bloodstone, she didn’t feel anything malicious.
It still felt like someone was watching her. Just like the other night, outside the Vincetti townhouse.
Her skin felt too tight by the time Elowen emerged from the tent. The grin on her face was every bit as bright as the happiness glowing inside her.
“You know,” Ford said dryly, “I’ve never seen anyone so thrilled to be swindled out of a silver piece.”
She pointed at him. “Just for that, you get to go next.”
“No.”
“Aren’t you curious to know your future?”
“My future is to strangle you—or that insufferable, so-called fortune-teller—if you make me go in there.”
Elowen arched a brow. “I didn’t realize you were so afraid of the future, Ford.” She tapped a finger on her chin, her gaze speculative. “Or maybe you’re just scared of the beautiful young woman who wants totellyour future?”
Ford scoffed. “Do you really think that painfully obvious manipulation is going to work on me?”
Elowen’s expression turned sympathetic. “You know, Ihaveheard rumors that Ford Gallo isn’t the successful flirt he used to be.” She patted his arm. “It’s all right. While most men learn to be more charming with age, some do lose their ability to—”
“Oh, Bloody Saints,” Ford cursed as he stalked past a narrowed-eyed Marc and then disappeared into the tent.
“You tease each other with incredible ease,” Ivan said, a little tension underscoring the words.
Elowen glanced over at him, still smiling in victory. “Yes. We grew up heckling each other.”
Ivan’s brow furrowed. “He is as a brother to you, then?”
“Yes,” Elowen said, looking a little confused by the question. Then understanding dawned, sharpening her gaze. “Completely,” she said firmly.
The Wolf smiled slowly.
Amryn knew Carver didn’t like this development, but she could feel the flare of attraction between Ivan and Elowen. More, she felt how intrigued each of them was by the other. Amryn was thrilled for them. Ivan deserved happiness, and Elowen seemed to be a good match for him; she was unafraid of his intensity, and she seemed able to soften it as well.
Carver would just have to come to terms with it.
When Ford emerged from the tent some minutes later, he was scowling.
Elowen laughed outright. “Did she tell you your future wife will be a toad?”
Ford rolled his eyes, but Amryn was startled to feel actual pain slice through him. “It’s all foolishness,” he muttered.
Elowen just shook her head. “Your turn, Amryn.”
