“Good. I didn’t want him hurt, just not jumping on me.” Charlie smiled as she wrapped her hand around the caddy. As she took it from Ben, her fingers brushed his, which sent her heart racing. He had big, warm hands, and she imagined they were rough with calluses. Ben was a metalsmith; she knew that from the exquisite engagement and wedding rings he’d made for all his friends. Surely, working with metal would rough them up, right? Her skin tingled at the thought of how they’d feel touching her, distracting her enough to miss what he’d said.
“Sorry, what?” She shook the tempting thought out of her head, hoping she didn’t seem daft.
“N-n-nothing,” he said. His eyes darkened and for a moment and she thought he was mad at her for not paying attention. But she realized just as quickly that he wasn’t mad, just frustrated. He sang a few words just under his breath, something she’d seen him do before. The tune was familiar, and then he came to the song title, singing softly, “The Lady of Shallot.”
“Oh,” Charlie. “That’s a good song.”Shit. I shouldn’t have pointed it out.
Ben startled. “You…know it?”
“Loreena McKennitt singing a poem by Tennyson? Heck yeah, I know it. I love her music.”
Stop! Hide what you love. The words whipped through her mind like a condemnation.
But…I don’t feel like I have to do that with Ben.
Still, her stomach knotted at exposing a personal secret.
“It goes well with that book.” Ben pointed at the drawer. His eyes widened. “I mean…”
“You saw what it was,” Charlie confirmed. Then she felt herself grin. “You’ve readSword of Embers?”
“It’s one of my favorites.” He grinned. “In a realm where kings are crowned with fire and ancient oaths bind men’s souls…”
Charlie couldn’t stop her smile as Ben started reciting the blurb from the back of the book. “A lost heir to a Fae kingdom must rise,” she continued.
“Aldric Thorne, raised as a human commoner and fated to marry a Fae Princess, is thrust into a battle against forces both mortal and monstrous. Beside him stand Caidan Bramble, a humble Shieldbearer whose courage will alter the fate of kingdoms…”
“And Sir Mariel of the Ashensworn, a woman disguised as a warrior sworn to avenge her father,” Charlie answered.
“But when an ancient evil stirs in the Ashen Mountains, even the Ashensworn—knights bound by fire and blood—may not be enough to hold back Lord Felldark.”
They finished the last part together. “Loyalty will be tested. Legends will fall. And a kingdom will be forged anew… or lost forever.”
Charlie laughed. “Oh my God, youhaveread it.”
“Many, many times. I was just a kid the first time I stayed up all night every night for a week reading the whole series.”
Charlie touched her chest. “Me, too. The summer I was twelve years old, I would only speak Fae.”
Ben chuckled. “You’re learned the Fae language? Attwelve? Wow. I am impressed.”
“Thank you. I spent hours translating the poems and memorizing words.”
“Must have driven your parents crazy.”
Charlie felt her smile falter. “You could say that.” She glanced away, staring at her sad little salad like it held the secrets of the universe.
“Have you seen the TV series yet? I think they did a good job with it, even though it doesn’t always follow the books.”
She looked back at him and tried not to give anything away. “I have, and I agree; it’s good.”
“Charlie?” Ben’s voice quieted, deepened. “Are you b-busy…”
Her heart stopped.Busy tonight? This weekend? Is he asking me on a date?His gaze was fixed on her, intent.
“…watching Shelly?”
And, her hopes evaporated. Of course he wasn’t asking her out. He was concerned about the woman he rescued, that’s all.
