Petite even by human standards, she barely reached Greel’s chest, but she had a quiet strength that had drawn my brother to her. From the moment they’d met, he hadn’t been able to look away. When she smiled, it transformed her entire face.
Riley’s expression softened in response. “It must be nice, working together. Building something as a team.”
I caught the wistful note in her voice.
“It has its challenges.” Jessi gave Greel a look of complete adoration. “I can’t imagine doing it with anyone else.”
The longing that flickered across Riley’s face was gone so quickly I almost missed it. But I’d made a career out of observing details others overlooked, and the brief vulnerability in her expression told me everything I needed to know.
Would Riley ever look at me like Jessi did Greel? I’d barely met her, but that didn’t stop the longing from blooming in my chest. I’d never thought of finding someone I could love, a person who’d care for me above everyone else. And now the fates were holding her out to me, tempting me with a future I didn’t dare acknowledge I’d craved.
“How long have you two been together?” Riley asked, and I could hear her trying to keep the question casual.
“Almost a year,” Greel said, his eyes on Jessi’s. “Though I was waiting for her my entire life.”
“Aren’t you sweet.” Jessi’s cheeks flushed pink, and she walked over to put her arm around the back of his waist.
I found myself studying their interaction with new eyes, trying to memorize the easy affection between them. The way Greel’s entire posture softened when Jessi was near. How she unconsciously moved into his space whenever he was within reach. The casual touches and shared glances that spoke of intimacy built on trust and understanding.
I wanted that too.
The depth of the thought should’ve sent me running for the hills. I’d known Riley for less than two hours. By any reasonable standard, this attraction was insane. But there was nothing reasonable about a mating mark. Nothing logical about the way my entire world had tilted the moment I touched her hand.
“We should let you get back to work,” I said. “But I want Riley to meet everyone.”
“Of course.” Jessi returned to her seat but kept her warm smile trained on Riley. “You’ll be staying here at the hotel?”
Riley glanced up at me. “Yes.”
“Make sure you come for your meals, then. They’re free for staff.”
“Really?” Riley asked, her brow furrowing.
“Really.”
“I will then. Thank you.”
As we left the saloon, I caught Greel’s meaningful look over Riley’s head. My brother didn’t say a word, but his slight nod told me he approved, that he understood exactly what was happening and supported me completely.
Bronish males protected their family. And as of today, Riley was definitely one of ours.
Chapter 3
Dungar
The Pottery Barn sat at the far end of the main street, its large windows displaying a bunch of beautiful ceramics that caught the afternoon light. Even from outside, I could hear the soft murmur of voices inside, punctuated by Allie’s laugh.
Riley paused to study a series of glazed bowls in the window. “Your brother and his mate make all of this?”
“Hail’s been working with clay since we were younglings. Allie’s new to the craft, but she was an artist before she came here. You may have seen some of her paintings for sale in the general store. Humans find her and Hail’s work particularly appealing.”
“I can see why. This pottery is gorgeous.”
I pushed open the door, and the familiar scent of clay and glazes filled my nostrils. The workshop area took up most of the space, with several pottery wheels and wooden tables arranged to give students room to spreadout. Hail was bent over a wheel in the back, guiding a small human girl through the process of centering clay.
“Gen-gently,” his deep voice rumbled. “Let-let the clay tell you what it wants to be.”
Allie demonstrated glazing techniques to an older couple nearby, explaining color theory and firing temperatures. She looked up as we entered, and her face immediately brightened.
