It was disgustingly domestic, wiping down the table we’d just defiled, washing the dishes, putting away the cream and strawberries. Caelan kept finding excuses to touch me. A hand on my hip as he passed. A kiss pressed to my shoulder. His fingers trailing down my spine when I reached for a cabinet.
I didn’t complain.
“You’re very helpful,” I observed as he dried the dishes I’d washed. “For a prince.”
“I’ve been known to make myself useful on occasion.”
“Does the palace staff know you can operate a dish towel?”
“They’d be scandalized.” He set down a plate and slid his arms around me from behind, chin resting on my shoulder. “But I’d scrub every dish in every realm if it meant staying here with you.”
“That’s either very romantic or very codependent.”
“Can’t it be both?”
We showered after, together, because apparently we were incapable of being in separate rooms now. It was surprisingly chaste. Just hot water and gentle hands and his arms wrapped around me while I leaned against his chest. No sex, just closeness.
“I could stay here forever,” he murmured against my wet hair.
“We’d prune.”
“Worth it.”
It was nice. Really nice. Almost suspiciously nice. The universe was giving us a moment of peace before dropping the next catastrophe on our heads.
When we finally emerged, clean and dressed and looking like respectable humans instead of sex-crazed maniacs, I finally turned on my phone.
I immediately regretted it.
The notifications were endless. Messages from my friends, a cascade of increasingly worried texts spanning from yesterday afternoon to this morning.
Sloane: You okay?
Sloane: Riley?
Sloane: If you don’t answer in the next hour I’m coming up there.
Margo: Sloane says you’re having a breakdown. Should I bring wine?
Jade: Are you alright? Thessa says Caelan is with you. Is that good or bad?
Sloane: Okay I heard you through the door. Some of it. Wolves? Portals? Riley what the FUCK is going on?
Margo: I’m officially concerned. Call us.
There were more. Dozens more. I scrolled through them, wincing, making a mental note to grovel appropriately later.
Then I saw a message from an unfamiliar number. I opened it.
Unknown: Hi Riley, this is Margaret from Chapter & Verse. We were expecting you yesterday but you never came to pick up your materials. Hope everything is okay! Also found an item on the floor that might be yours? A watch? Let me know when you can come by!
Oh shit. I’d completely forgotten about my belongings at the bookstore.
I turned to tell Caelan… And the world tilted.
I grabbed the counter as dizziness washed over me. Everything felt strange, tingling, electric. A current buzzed just under my skin. My head throbbed. My limbs felt leaden and weightless at the same time.
“Riley?” Caelan appeared at my side in an instant, hands on my arms, eyes intense with concern. “What’s wrong?”
