Fallyn’s voice cut through like ice water. “These books are older than your bloodlines and have seen quite enough.”
They broke apart, breathing hard. Avine’s lips felt swollen, her face flushed, her entire body humming with want. Theo looked like he was seriously considering whether committing murder in a magical library carried special penalties.
“Your timing,” he said flatly, “is terrible.”
“My timing is impeccable. Another thirty seconds and I’d have had to charge you for a private room.” Fallyn emerged from between two shelves, a dusty volume in her arms and zero apology in her expression. “Also, I found what’s relevant. Unless you’d prefer to continue your… research.”
Avine’s face burned. But she couldn’t quite stop the smile tugging at her mouth. Couldn’t quite regret anything that had happened.
Theo’s hand found hers under the table and squeezed.Later, the gesture promised. We’re not done.
THIRTY-TWO
AVINE
Fallyn set the book on the table with a thump. “I cross-referenced the sigil patterns from your photographs with every documented magical working in Haven Shores’s history. The specific signature matches work done by exactly one practitioner.”
She turned the book to face them. Avine leaned in—still holding Theo’s hand, still wearing his jacket, still feeling the ghost of his mouth on hers—and read the name.
Elder Piprick Geare.
“That can’t be right.” She shook her head. “Piprick? He brought me a self-stirring teapot as a welcome gift.”
“He wouldn’t attack anyone intentionally.” Theo’s voice had gone thoughtful. “But his magic is unpredictable. Chaotic.”
“He’s documented in these records thirty-seven times for magical incidents.” Fallyn’s voice was flat. “No intentional harm. All spectacular failures of good intentions meeting poor execution.”
Avine stared at the page, pieces clicking into place. Piprick’s excitement about her inn’s reactivation. His babbling about protective wards during the Elder visit. The gleam inventors got when they saw a problem they wanted to solve.
“He was trying to help.” The realization landed in her gut. “He was trying to protect me.”
“His protection spells have been destabilizing the inn’s wards.” Theo squeezed her hand. “Gnome engineering and sea magic don’t mix. He’s been feeding magic it can’t process.”
“He doesn’t know he’s causing the problems. He thinks he’s helping.”
“That’s the theory.” Fallyn’s voice was flat. “Either someone’s manipulating him, or he’s dangerously incompetent.”
Theo was already gathering the photographs. “We need to confront him. Carefully.”
Avine stood, squaring her shoulders. “We should approach him at his workshop. He knows me—likes me, I think. And you’re the alpha.”
Theo’s gaze found hers, heat flickering beneath the strategic assessment. “Partners, then.”
The word landed with more weight than it should. She held his stare. “Is that what we are?”
His mouth curved—the smile she was becoming addicted to. “Among other things.” He glanced at Fallyn. “Thank you for your help.”
“Thank me by not burning down the Old Wards District.” Fallyn was already drifting back toward her stacks. “And by keeping the mating rituals out of my library in the future.”
Color rose in Avine’s cheeks. “We weren’t?—”
“You absolutely were.” Fallyn didn’t look back. “The books will be gossiping about it for weeks.”
They emergedfrom SeaGlass Books into an evening that had arrived without permission. The sky was painted in shades ofrose and amber, the harbor lights beginning to flicker in the distance.
Theo stopped on the sidewalk and turned to her. “Come here.”
Before she could respond, he pulled her into his arms.
