While the tracking spell was being crafted, Cerberus, Verin, my men, and I tried to relax in the Coven's dining hall. We had some dinner, then Cerberus curled up on a couch near a window and took a nap. The rest of us drank coffee and discussed the fury of a woman scorned.
“I wonder how long she's been planning this?” I murmured.
“I announced our engagement to the Zone the day after you accepted my proposal. I'm assuming that's what set her off.” Slate growled wordlessly and shook his head in frustration. “Why is it always something to do with me?”
“It's not.” Torin grabbed Slate's shoulder reassuringly. “It's Elaria; trouble follows her.” Torin grinned at me.
“Thanks a lot, babe,” I huffed.
“I never would have suspected Eleanor,” Slate went on. “And I should have. She's been extra flirtatious lately but I just brushed her off and forgot about it.”
“You generally don't suspect a woman of planning your girlfriend's murder simply because she flirts with you,” Gage drawled. “Because women are generally sane.”
“Maybe Griffin women are but not the others,” Slate grumbled.
“Hey!” I whined again.
“I'm just glad this is nearly over. I'm looking forward to putting this behind us.” Darc leaned over and kissed my cheek. “I've missed you, my fire.”
“How long is this going to take?” Verin growled.
I looked over and found him staring at Darc and me.
“You don't have to stay, Verin,” I said gently. “You've done more than enough. Why don't you go home?”
That makes this my home.The memory of lying with Verin, my palm over his heart, flared in my mind. My breath caught and I looked away.
“I'm staying,” Verin said firmly. “I have a right to vengeance as well.”
“Of course, you do,” I said wearily. “No one's disputing that.”
Verin grunted.
“I need some fresh air.” I stood up.
“I'll go with you,” Darc offered.
“No, it's okay. You stay here. I'd like a moment alone.”
Darc nodded and sat back but his gaze was worried and it followed me as I left.
I went outside and headed around the manor, solar-powered lampposts and moonlight illuminating my path. There were gardens in the back, brimming with herbs, vegetables, and flowers. I wandered down the pebbled path that bisected them and found a stone bench to sit on. A rosemary bush had been sheared to form a back and armrests for the bench. I ran my hand over the needles and tiny purple flowers, then brought it to my face to inhale the cleansing fragrance. I breathed in deeply and closed my eyes. Normally, when I went for walks on Coven Cay, I liked to go down to the water, but I'd had enough of water for the time being. I needed dry land and some space to think. Except even away from the shore, my thoughts turned back to the sea.
I wished that I'd never touched Verin. Looking back, I could see it so clearly now. I'd been growing more and more anxious those three months we'd apart but as soon as I had touched him, something changed. It must have been the catalyst of Eleanor's spell—that with our first touch, the love spell would rocket into insanity. It was amazing that we'd managed to hold off on having sex for as long as we did. Vivian's spell had focused on love—the pure emotion—because that's what we needed for the RS to be able to feed on Verin. But I had a feeling that Eleanor's spell had been a bit more base.
It would explain Verin's aggressive behavior and my intense urges. And it was a testament to Vivian's talent that despite our raging need for sexual release, I was able to talk Verin into waiting. Or maybe that was real. I didn't know anymore. I had been so certain when I was under the influence of those spells but now—with my mind and heart clear of them—I only knew that I loved Verin. I couldn't say when or why I had fallen for him. But then again, I couldn't tell you that about any of my relationships. Maybe Gage. No, not even him. Love creeps up on you like an assassin... whoa, that went bad fast. Scratch that. Love builds upon itself, little by little, until you wake up one morning and say, “Huh, you know what? I love that guy.” It can feel like it's happened suddenly but if it's real, I believe it takes time. It takes learning about the other person and connecting with them. It takes understanding what you've learned and the desire to learn more. And that's just the mental side of it. You also need things like pheromones and good timing. Love is the culmination of many things that could, at any moment, veer in another direction.
Like Verin and I had.
The sound of footsteps approached and for a moment, I hoped it was Verin. My heart started to speed up as I turned to face whoever it was. Maybe he had seen that I was upset and wanted to comfort me. Maybe he wanted to talk about our near-kiss in the hallway. Or maybe he realized that love was too precious to waste.
Nope. It was ol' Left-Eye.
“Well, you don't have to look so disappointed,” Odin grumbled. “I just came to tell you that we finished the tracking spell.”
“Oh. Okay.” I started to stand.
“Hold on.” Odin sat down beside me. “What's this about?” He waved at my face.
