Maya focused on a point directly in front of her, her body tensed at the thought of any further serious questioning. “And what is it that has your curiosity piqued now?”
“Does making people happy make you happy?” Slowly, she looked over at her window companion. Cosmo had a serious look on his face as he pressed for a little more information, “Is that the only way you know to be happy? And if so, why do you feel that you shouldn’t be allowed to join in with the rest of us in living a good life?”
Maya just looked at him for a few seconds, her mind feeling like it was spinning in circles. Instead of answering his question, she replied, “You ask probing questions that are sometimes best left alone, Cosmo. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think that my battery for conversation is completely depleted.”
With that, she opened the window and crawled outside. Pressing her hands flat against the walls, she used magic to help herself move safely down the side of the house. Cosmo stuck his head out of the window just above her. “What about me? I can’t sneak out like that!”
Maya looked to the side, then raised a hand and pointed to the left. “There’s a room with a balcony right there. Perhaps you could use that to levitate safely to the ground. If not, you’ll just have to face the old couple alone. Either way, please don’t follow me.”
He hissed whispered words at her, but Maya tuned him out as she replayed his final question in her mind. It wasn’t something she wanted to consider, and the only way she knew to alleviate the discomfort of following that train of thought was to put her mind back on her job.
And there was no better place to inspire a wedding planner than a place specifically designed for romance and love.
Chapter 4
An Even Worse Second Impression
Maya easily scaled down the rest of the side of the house and stepped safely onto a small patch of soil between beautifully manicured shrubs and flowers. She looked up and saw that Cosmo was no longer in the window. A smile spread across her face as she thought of him upstairs trying to figure out a way to escape now that he didn’t have anyone to distract him.Sorry, Cosmo, but as you’ve made me face something I would rather ignore, so too must you face something unsavory.
She stepped onto a neat little patio and moved gracefully around a barbecue and table with an umbrella and chairs as she headed toward the hedge maze. If what Cosmo had said was true, there was a couple in the house that was going to try to get her and the storm dragon to become mates. Something they both agreed was a horrible idea.
That’s not how this works, Maya mused as she stepped into the maze. She didn’t bother to pay attention to the direction she was going because it didn’t matter. When she was ready to leave the maze, she would be able to meander to an exit with little to no trouble. Being able to navigate through anything physical or mental had never been a problem for her. It was only when people were involved that Maya started to have issues.
As she made her way through the beautifully maintained hedges, her eyes moved over the little ornaments and flowers that were meant to enhance the romantic feel of the place. She wanted to focus on those to see if she could figure out how they helped create a romantic mood, but her thoughts were troubled by her conversation with Cosmo.
People are not meant to interfere with the process, so why is there a couple here, pushing the island’s victims together? That should negate the entire process since it makes this placeno different to the machinations of the court. How is this even being allowed? This has to be a violation that will have a negative impact on how the island is perceived.She felt her eyes start to shine as a huge grin blossomed.And that is something I can definitely use.I’ve got you bastards now.
Maya put her hands behind her back, certain that she finally had a way to get off the island without having to deal with anyone trying to force her into a relationship.
“My, but you look like the dog that got into the fridge.”
Maya turned and saw the tall blond walking toward her. Keeping in mind what Cosmo had said about him, she fought down her initial retort to his words. Instead, she said, “If Cosmo didn’t give such a glowing review of you as a person, I would be inclined to take offense at your choice of words.”
He stopped and looked at her with his brow creased. “What was offensive about it?”
“Besides comparing me to a dog, your words suggest you think I’m doing something shady.”
He gave a slight bow. “I do apologize for causing any offense. It was not my intention. Just, the way you grinned reminded me of one of my cousin’s puppies, all wiggly and—” He shook his head and cleared his throat. “I am sincerely sorry. All I meant to convey was that you have the look of someone who has discovered a situation that you plan to use to your advantage.”
Maya paused, realizing that was exactly what she felt she had found with the revelation that people were trying to manipulate couples on the island. “If that is true, then you are correct. Apollo, right?”
He smiled. “Yes.” He then moved over beside her and leaned down. “Would it be offensive if I inquired about this exploit that has you smiling so impishly?”
“Impishly?” She started back, her head whipping around to look at him. “You must have me confused with Cosmo.”
The way he smiled caused her to blink a few times as a strange sense of calm spread through her. “I don’t think there is a person alive who would mistake you for that big oaf. And, to be fair, you did just admit that there was something … conniving behind your smile.”
Maya sighed and looked around them, wanting to make sure no one else was near them. While she had many talents, sensing the presence of other people was not in her repertoire, something she had never previously seen as a detriment. Then again, she had never plotted before. Planned, yes, but nothing that could be classified as plotting. And what she had in mind most certainly would be called plotting.
Then she looked up at Apollo. “You are tall.”
He gave her a look, then said, “Compared to many, I suppose I am.”
“You must be over six feet tall, which is well over the average height for shifter males, and is markedly greater than the average height of shifters in general.”
He smiled. “You make a good point.” Apollo then held out his hand, gesturing away from the house, and said, “Would you like to stroll as we talk? There are a few things of interest in the maze.”
Suspicion lurked in the back of her mind, but Maya figured it would be best if they didn’t stand in one place too long. Especially if there were people present who were actively trying to force unwilling people into being mates. She planned to ask Apollo if he could see anyone, but as she stepped up next to him, Maya smelled something faintly familiar. “Oh, right, you are a distant relation to Noel, aren’t you?”
