“Maybe I was meant to show up now. It seems purposeful, the timing. Like, all of a sudden there’s a curse that needs a Fae Queen to help break it, andpoof—here I am?”
“Maybe. Probably. Possibly even likely,” Lily said. “But you have free will. You could have rejected us. You could have said ‘no’ at the altar and completely ignored Silas. You could’ve been killed by the Furies.”
“Ouch.”
“I’m just saying, there are scenarios where we don’t have you to save the day. Having you is like having a superstar player on the team, but there’s still the rest of the team.”
“That is oddly reassuring.”
“Trust me, I get it. People kept telling me that I was the only Mixologist when I arrived here, in this reverent sort of voice. You can’t choose to be a Mixologist, you just are.”
“Sounds familiar.”
“Most don’t fully understand the magic and training it takes to become a Mixologist, even if you’re technically born into the role. It can feel isolated and lonely. This world, this island specifically, becomes a lot more lovely when you embrace the fact that you’re not alone, no matter how much you feel that way. Even if we don’t understand what you’re going through, we can sympathize. We can have a glass of wine with you. Sometimes, that’s enough.”
“You’re right,” I said softly. “Thank you. You’re absolutely right.”
“Hey, Lily.” Silas nodded toward her as he returned to my side following his conversation with Ranger X. “Lunch break?”
“Among other things,” she said mildly, her vials tinkling against one another. “Just checking on things.”
“I’m going to steal Alessia back, if that’s okay with you,” Silas said. “There’s not much left for us to do here.”
“Absolutely. That reminds me. Fen came by the storeroom this morning.” Lily’s barely disguised disgust showed as she waved toward me. “He was pestering Gus about the Fae textbooks he gave you. I kicked Fenlon out as soon as I heard what was happening, but I just wanted to let you know that he was sniffing around, looking for information.”
“How did he know Gus gave me books?” I asked. “I haven’t seen Fenlon since.”
“Oh, honey,” Lily said, with a wry glimpse at Silas. “You’re the talk of the town. You sat in the café reading the books for, like, six hours straight. Lots of people saw you, and I’m sure some reported back to Fenlon.”
“There’s nothing to report,” I argued. “I wasreading books.”
“Magical, ancient Fae texts,” Lily corrected, “that Gus gave to you without hesitation. Most people part with their own plasma easier than Gus parts with a rare book.”
“I see.”
“Fenlon started an actual council trying to strip you of the title of Fae Queen. If you’re reading Fae Queen books, he’s going to take issue with it. Gus didn’t let out a peep about you or the books, so I’m not worried about that. I just didn’t like Fen being there at all.”
“I can handle Fen,” I said quietly. “Thanks for letting me know.”
“You can handle Fen,” Lily agreed, reaching out to give my hand a squeeze. “But just remember, you don’t have to do it alone.”
