“I am not a mage,” Rowan said, “but no one is harmed. They remember everyone they’ve met, but they do not remember anything of magic, only that of a fantastical city, one with whimsy and not power.”
“You’ve never had a spell fail?”
“Once,” Rowan said, his eyes dimming. “Before we could reach her, the woman’s new city had dubbed her the kooky eccentric. Our mages visited her and made things right, but it was too late.” A smile tipped his lips. “But she made the best of it and embraced her new status as the town kook. Last I heard, she was running a thriving incense shop somewhere close to Portland.”
“No one gets weird about humans living here?”
He shook his head. “No, because our magic keeps us safe from harm. The humans know what we are and do not fear us.”
“What a world that would be,” I mused.
Rowan slid out of the truck and jogged over to open my door. “Come, Evie. Let me show you my world.” He held out a hand. I slipped my hand in his and let him lead me toward the bustling heart of Rowan’s city.
Chapter
Three
ROWAN
She was here. With me. Her hand was inside mine, clutching my fingers tightly, with nerves or something else, I couldn’t tell. She wasn’t afraid. I’d smell it on her. Her heartbeat kicked up some when I took her hand. A good sign, maybe? I didn’t dare to hope.
Those stunning eyes of hers took in the area, her lips parted in wonder. We were different from Joy Springs, much different. I did not lead through fear or intimidation, though there were times I had to remind people what I was made of. Caelan did not lead through fear outright, though he had a reputation for dispatching those who displeased him quickly and without prejudice.
I couldn’t deny I’d done the same. Only a few times, but enough to keep me awake some nights.
There was so much I wanted, no,neededto show her. So many things I needed her to know. About me, my life, my people. All the things I wanted for myself and for her if she’d allow me to give them to her. But Evie was still wounded, still trying to find some way to return to her old life.
She had not realized that life had turned to ashes. Maybe she wouldn’t realize it until she tried again.
And I knew the bastard would let her. Now that Lugh was gone, he’d realize how badly he’d been played. In some ways, he already had. He’d already removed Rachel, but I knew he would come for Evie soon. I’m surprised he hadn’t done so already. Every day, I prepared for his arrival. Every day, I tried to show Evie the wonders of my land and my home. Every day, I resisted the urge to drop to my knees and beg her to stay.
She wasn’t ready. And I was afraid I was running out of time.
Her fingers clenched around mine as I led her into the heart of Emberwood. Fairy lights were strung across the buildings, casting a warm, comforting glow across the area. A fountain burbled happily ahead, the water sparkling with fairy glitter. Evie gasped when she saw it and, without thinking, stepped ahead of me, tugging me forward.
I happily went along. No one had ever dared lead me before, but with Evie, I’d follow her wherever she decided to go. A few people passed by, their eyebrows slightly raised as they watched Evie tugging me along. Some of their lips tipped up in hesitant smiles when they saw me, allowing her to do so.
“This is amazing,” Evie breathed. “Is that from the fae?” She pointed to the sparkles of light glittering inside and above the water.
Rowan nodded. “We have several sprites who live here. They charge the fountain once a week to keep it glowing like that.”
“Cool.” She reached her hand forward, then jerked it back.
“Go ahead,” I encouraged.
Evie smiled and touched the water, filling her palm with the glittering liquid. She moved it to and fro in her palm before depositing it back into the pool. “This is amazing.”
I let her explore as much as she wanted, reveling in the fact that she hadn’t yet dropped my hand. She wandered over to a shop that sold stained glass. The owner, a small, sparkly-eyed woman named Leia, greeted me enthusiastically, eyeing Eviewith interest when she saw our hands still clasped. Her eyebrows went up, and as Evie passed by her because her eye snagged a stunning floral piece, Leia mouthed, “She’s gorgeous,” and gave me two thumbs up.
I suppressed my grin and winked at Leia. Evie stopped before the piece and dropped my hand. I tried not to flinch from the lack of her warmth, but she turned to Leia. “This is stunning work,” she breathed. “How much is it?”
Leia was not a cheap artist. Her work was worth the money, but her prices were sometimes eye-watering.
The piece itself was a beautiful work of art and oddly prophetic. A woman with long, dark hair blowing away from the side of her head like a ribbon unfurling in the wind, sat in a field of blooming flowers. Her back was bare, and one hand was tipped up holding a palm full of white blossoms, some spilling to the ground. Moonlight sparkled in the sky, a white glass ball surrounded by a deep blue glass background dotted with stars.
Leia’s eyes narrowed. She stared at Evie for a long moment, then looked at me. “This piece is not for sale.”
I blinked at the artist. I knew godsdamn well everything in this shop was for sale. Leia loved art, but she loved money even more. Evie’s face fell, but after a moment, once she’d swallowed her disappointment, she nodded. “I understand. If I had something this beautiful, I wouldn’t sell it either.”
