Sera crossed her arms. “We have to keep a low profile until this Cole situation is resolved, you know that.”
“Anyway,” Seth continued, lifting his chin, “I saw Varian waiting here and I had nothing better to do. Can’t hold his bloodline against him forever, can I? Cole may be an asshole, but that doesn’t mean everyone he knows is as well.”
Varian smiled, and damn it, it was charming. He was adorable. Not really her type, but she saw the appeal. Why was it so hard to like him then?
“It was a pleasant way to pass the evening,” Varian said, casting his eyes toward Seth and bile rose up Sera’s throat.
Sera looked Varian up and down, hands crossed over her chest. He really did look like Cole, but then, when he spoke it was clear they couldn’t be more different. She couldn’t helpthe protective instinct to keep Seth from more mistakes, more damaging relationships that ended badly.
But then… she was learning that sometimes people surprised her. The Lady Archer hadn’t asked for any payment for saving her, acted completely without regard for her own interests. And Kieran… he’d shattered all her prejudice, surpassed every judgment, and consistently proved that he could be trusted. So maybe he wasn’t a complete anomaly. Variancouldbe… genuinely nice, but for some reason she wanted him to leave as quickly as possible.
Kieran directed his words to Varian, “Did something happen?”
Sera realized she forgot Kieran was there. Forgot what they had been doing and discussing before being interruptedagain. Now, the missed opportunity of whatever Kieran had been planning soured her darkening mood further.
“I found it,” Varian said, grinning with an earnest excitement. “It was not easy to track down, I left a lot of boxes untouched and in my haste, neglected to properly label any of them. In fact, I unearthed a book I thought lost to the move. Unfortunately, not before I had purchased it again. Needless to say, it took my constant search over the last few days to locate the Charm but, what else do I have to do with my time?”
“What does that mean?” Seth asked.
“Oh, just that I’ve been rather fortunate enough to spend my time how I wish. I run the Hawthorne estates, but there are managers that handle most of the work, with me more of a figurehead. I’m quite lucky, to have such freedoms. Though, I admit it hasn’t offered me much in the way of fulfillment.” He chuckled. “Forgive me, I shouldn’t complain.”
“If that’s complaining, then I’d love to hear your praise,” Seth purred, and Sera detected the undercurrent between them. The something that simmered below the surface of their smiles. In the time she’d been away, they had connected. A part of her washappy for Seth, he deserved someone kind and gentle like Varian appeared to be, but then a darker part of her hated the thought of being alone again. If Seth had someone like Varian, with money and luxury, he wouldn’t need her anymore. He would leave. And she would be alone.
“As insufferable as this exchange has become, I’m anxious to get to the matter at hand,” Kieran prompted.
“Excuse me? I am undeniably charming,” Seth countered.
“What did I say?” Kieran asked.
“You called them insufferable,” Sera mumbled, hugging her arms to her chest and rubbing her shoulders.
“I’m sure it was an unintentional mistake,” Varian offered, though Sera could tell that the use of ‘insufferable’ had been exactly what Kieran meant. In fact, she was inclined to agree.
What would she do without Seth? He was the reason she was going to start making good decisions, her reason for turning her life around. Now there were no stakes, no one to need her. So what was the point in trying? The thought of returning to her lifebeforeCole left her hollow. She’d had nothing before.
Varian pointed to a box on one of the end tables. “I thought it best to keep it concealed and, to be honest, the sight of it is filled with bitter memories. It’s quite harmless to the touch, its effects only work if it is worn.”
“Wraith has asked for the Charm,” Kieran said. “Directly, I’m afraid.”
“Thaddeus Wraith?” Varian and Seth said together, then they shared a look. How fucking adorable. How cute. She could just…eat them up. Sera’s nails were leaving indents in her palms.
“Yes, that Wraith. He knows of Cole’s intentions and he wants the Charm. However, I don’t feel comfortable putting such a dangerous object in the hands of a known criminal. Would you have any reservations if we broke the charm first? I will simply relate that it was found that way and hopefully even a brokencharm will be enough to appease Wraith.” Kieran nodded toward the box.
“Not at all. It probably should have been destroyed long ago. I’m just glad to be rid of it. And…” Varian’s gaze unmistakably drifted toward Seth. “I’m glad for the reason to return.”
Sera scoffed and looked away. She hated how her attempt to be happy for her friend had started to shrivel into something ugly. She wanted to be happy for him. Shewouldbe happy for him. Which meant she’d have to ignore everything else.
“Then your efforts are appreciated Varian,” Kieran said, retrieving the box. “I’ll have Meera show you out.”
“Wait, you’re just going to kick him out?” Seth asked.
Kieran’s face never shifted, but the pause indicated he did not grasp Seth’s reasoning. “Our business is concluded. He’s hardly being thrown to the street.”
“North was always a bit brisk about company. He’d manage about an hour of hide and seek or detectives before he’d excuse himself to read or return to his room.” Varian’s mouth snapped closed, not daring to meet Kieran’s eyes. “But, he’s right. It’s time I left. I do have my own life to, well, I guess I don’t have any pressing engagements, but it’s rude to linger.” Varian shuffled for the door.
Seth followed, probably to exchange goodbyes that, frankly, Sera could not tolerate. She waited, listening for the sound of Varian’s exit.
“You have been glaring at Varian since we arrived,” Kieran said, their bodies aligned—but not actually touching—as she faced the doorway to the foyer.
