“Modiste? Wh-why would I go there? I can’t afford new dresses.”
“Levity’s ball is in three days and if you’re going to attend a ball, then it’s considered proper to have a new dress made. As for expense, I hope you’ll let me pay for it, though if you wish we can call it an advance of your commission for the park project.”
“It comes with a commission?”
“It’s my project and since I have chosen to hire you to assist in the implementation of my proposal, then you would be fairly compensated, of course. Contracts would need to be drawn and someone in accounting would need to negotiate the exact terms with you, but a dress is well within your budget. The terms of future contracts would have to be negotiated separately, unless you decided to be added to the city’s planning commission, which would come with its own salary. Either way, you have the potential to make a generous income, if you choose, Sera.”
He left her there, making the decision between him and Seth for her. Sera couldn’t help but wonder if it was another sneaky thoughtful gesture. Like the moving of glacite for her and preparing a fire before their arrival. The fluttery warmth in her chest was infectious, caught in the unshakable grin and giddy bounce in her steps.
There was also his mention of a salary. Sera had a job. Arealjob. She chewed her lip while she watched Kieran’s back until he disappeared from view, appreciating the tall, lean power of him.
Her heart screamed and rioted and danced and cheered. A giggle escaped her before she could swallow it down. Thank gods she was alone.
Divine above, this was bordering on cringy. Yet she could not keep the bound from her steps as she headed to their room to find Seth. How she would hide this from him, she wasn’t sure, but she needed to if she wanted to keep peace with him.
Sera opened the door and shirked off her coat.
“Where’d you run off to—oh my god, you’re in love.”
Sera opened her mouth to argue, but no sound came out. How did he possibly know so quickly?
“You think I’d miss the saunter in your steps? That lovesick grin on your face?” He teased. Sera scrubbed at her cheeks. “You think I can’t smell exactly who you’ve been with all this time?”
Her dread couldn’t quite overshadow her elation. “I am your friend first, Seth. I promise.”
He laughed and then got up to throw his arms around her. “It’s not like I didn’t see it coming. You two are not subtle.”
“You’re not furious? You’re not going to… leave me for Varian?”
Seth pushed her to arm’s length, eyes narrowed. “We are not a couple, Sera. You do know I only love you as a friend?”
Sera pouted, lowering her head, but his warm hands on her shoulders were reassuring. “But if you go off with Varian, you’re not going to bring me along, are you?”
Seth’s face wrinkled with disgust. “Gods, I hope not. I love you, Sera, but I don’t really want you, you know, watching or anything.”
She pushed his chest, the gesture light and teasing. “That is not what I meant.”
“I’m not sureyouknow what you meant. You’re worried I’ll leave you, but you’re head over heels for Kieran North and I’m not worried you’ll leave me. I am quite happy to be left out of that arrangement. Please. Leave me out of it.”
“But you’re my only friend, Seth. Protecting you is… it’s what made me want to be better.” Sera’s limbs trembled. She tried not to think of Gideon, of how she had begged him stay when he enlisted. How he had assured her it would be fine and he’d still take care of her, but then she didn’t see him for two years and by then, she was already very much entrenched in her chosen path.
“Sera, honey.” Seth cupped her face in his heated palms. “That is bullshit and you know it.” He released her face. “You can’t fix yourself for me. Or what happens if, I don’t know, I die? You can’t hinge your progress on someone else. Not even North. You have to do it for you.”
He was right of course but that didn’t mean it would be that simple. She hadn’t changed for herself in the thirty-four years before she found Seth. It wasn’t likely she’d find a way to do it now.
“And you’re ready for the attention right? Even if you weren’t human, North is known. His name holds power and recognition. You’re going to be the human with a very influential Winter Fae.”
“I know. And I’d rather not be in the spotlight, obviously, but I also don’t much care what people think. He doesn’t seem to be bothered by whispers or gossip, so I won’t be either.”
He kissed her forehead. “Alright then. Now that business is out of the way, you gotta tell me everything. Like one to ten how was he?”
Sera blinked through tears as she laugh-hiccupped. “We didn’t get that far. We were interrupted.”
“So, you’re in love with him and you haven’t even tried the product?”
She shook her head as the tears just kept falling. Down her cheeks, onto her dress, into her mouth.
Seth’s eyes were big as he tried to make sense of the admission. “Damn. He must be some kisser. I was definitely not feeling his stoic ice vibes, but if it’s that good I may have to throw my lot in. Hope you don’t mind some competition.”
