It feels like I’m standing inside a furnace. Flames lick across my skin, sweat pouring from every pore. My head spins, vision clouding as I reach out blindly for the table to steady myself.
Mercs is beside me in an instant.
I shove the candles into his arms and yank my tunic over my head, standing in my tiny crop top and harem pants as I try to breathe.
“Effa, what’s happening?” he demands.
“Hot… so hot…” I murmur.
People turn to stare, conversations faltering as curious eyes lock onto us.
Mercs presses his hand to my forehead. “You’re sweating again. It’s another one.”
Luke rushes over. “What the fuck! Effa—”
The attention makes it worse, and another wave crashes over me.
Alana appears. “Effa?”
“I’m fine,” I insist, though I know this means I’ll have to call my specialist because this is the second hot flash, and the headaches haven’t gone away.
Something isn’t right.
Andi returns with water, and I drink deeply, the coolness helping immediately.
“I’m better,” I say, forcing a smile.
Mercs doesn’t buy it. “We need to call—”
“This afternoon,” I interrupt gently. “Please… let’s not ruin today.”
He studies me carefully before nodding once. “We’re cutting this short. And youarecalling.”
“I promise.”
For the next hour, I’m watched like a hawk, but eventually they relax. Mercs drifts off with Luke. Tank and Jay browseshirts. Alana and Kristy inspect food stalls. And I find myself lingering at a peach-and-vanilla candle stand, sniffing indulgently.
“I think you and peach would work well together.”
I jump at the deep voice behind me and turn to find a broad-shouldered man in a backward cap chewing on a stalk of wheat. He is built like a Mack truck and annoyingly handsome.
“Oh, um… thanks. But I’ve already bought too many.”
“So I haven’t seen you around. You new?”
“Just passing through. A month or two.”
He nods slowly. “Born and raised here myself. Just got back in town last night. Glad I did.” The way he looks me over makes me swallow… hard.
“Well, everyone’s been very welcoming.”
“Oh, Ligonier does that.” He shifts his weight. “If you need someone to show you around…”
Before I can respond, a familiar warmth settles at my side as Mercs steps in beside me, his arm sliding firmly around my waist. The shift in energy is instant. The man in front of me stiffens, the piece of wheat dropping from his mouth as recognition dawns. He clears his throat and straightens, extending his hand toward Mercs.
“Kades. Good to see you.”
Mercs hesitates, then shakes it. “Shane. It’s been a while.”
