Slipping my phone into its pocket, just in case Hazel or Fitz’s private investigator contacted me, I began walking toward the moonluck—Atlas catching up after dropping the stroller with the others.
“Impressive.” Atlas’s eyes glinted at the modern opulence taking place inside and on the grounds belonging to 5 Blessed Crescent. Oversized thorny bushes plush with black roses led toward the gated backyard where twinkling lights floated in lazy circles overhead.
The gate was propped open, showcasing the busy yard full of witches. Small lounge areas were spread throughout the space, an ornate pergola situated at its center laced with vines and jet-black blooms. A large flower-embossed cauldron sat empty on top of a plush rug under its shelter, and witches huddled around it, mingling with cups and plates floating in front of them. A few peeked over their shoulders, murmuring when they saw us walk in. I wondered if they were chatting about their new neighbor, Hazel’s missing status—which I had no doubts it’d made the street’s gossip list at this point—or the fact that Archon Thorne from the capital had shown up at their soirée.
“Welcome,” a familiar voice called over the throng of neighbors I hadn’t met yet. Fitz walked through the crowd wearing a button-up shirt and charcoal slacks, a carnelian crystal attached to his wrist by a thick piece of twine. The bright-orange gem brought sexual energy and creativity to the wearer and could be enchanted to enhance its properties if cast on. Looking around, I realized he wasn’t the only one with the talisman.
Seems to be some big full moon plans around here…
When he noticed my attention on his charm, I snapped my gaze back to Aspen, grabbing the pacifier that was hanging from him and popping it back in his mouth. Fitz waved behind him, shouting over the crowd. “Ah, Aurora, I wanted to introduce you. This is Oakley Brooks, Hazel’s sister, and her son Aspen, and you already know Archon Thorne—”
“Atlas. Aspen’s father,” he corrected, slipping in smoothly while giving no indication that he wasn’t thrilled there wasn’t more to add.Thank Goddess.Always impeccable at keeping up the façade in public. “Thanks again for inviting us.”
“Of course,” Aurora replied, a silky huskiness dressing her tone. “I apologize I didn’t make it over to introduce myself the other day.”
Her blue eyes sparkled with intrigue, and I felt like I was being inspected. She wore a stunning lace maxi dress with strategic cutouts that showed off the curves of her muscular body. It gave me the impression she was perplexed at how Atlas and I ever fit as a couple. It didn’t help that I’d worn a jersey knit high-neck dress that hung around my ankles like a flowy sack, hiding all my wobbly bits while making it easy enough to shift the fabric around to nurse.
“What a precious little witchling,” she cooed at Aspen, giving him a tickle under his chin. He giggled, dropping his pacifier once again, which dangled from his clip. “I didn’t get a chance to sneak a peek of him after Lynx’s class. I needed to get home to get on top of some emails for the board of the Supernatural Arts Center. We’ve got a big fundraiser coming up in Seattle. Terribly boring stuff, but someone’s got to do it.”
“We’d love to put you down for a table if you can make it, Atlas,” Fitz said, wrapping his arm around his wife. She leaned into the touch, running her gold-dipped nails along the panes of his chest.
“I’ll have to check with my assistant. He handles my calendar.”
“Of course,” Aurora said, eye-fucking the shit out of him, though Fitz didn’t seem to mind in the least. Heat flared in my chest a moment, then I remembered I had no claim to him.
Not anymore.
“Look who we have here.” Her brilliant blues snagged on something behind Atlas, a smirk playing at her lips.
“Thanks for having us.” I glanced over my shoulder, spotting Lynx heading right toward us. Anger knotted up my gut, and he stumbled, no doubt sensing it for himself.
“H-hey, Oakley,” he croaked, straightening back up. He looked stupidly handsome tonight, dressed in a pair of dark-wash jeans and a black Henley that made all his muscles even more pronounced than usual. The heat that had flared in my chest shifted and shot up my neck into my cheeks.
“Atlas Thorne.” He stuck out a hand before I could respond. “Pleasure to meet you.”
Lynx tilted his head slightly in my direction before returning his attention to the man currently shaking his hand.
“Nice to meet you too,” he replied, confusion sweeping through his gaze, connecting the dots via the mini Atlas situated between us. “I’m a big fan of your family’s work.”
“Aren’t we all?” added Fitz. “Grandson to one of the founders of our very government. Imagine my surprise when I ran into him right here in our little neighborhood at Ms. Brooks’s place. I’m so glad you are here to celebrate the full moon with us.”
Lynx’s eyes refused to meet mine, lips clamping into a straight line.
Was he…upset?
“Ah, I was wondering when that handsome hubby of yours would arrive,” Aurora said, glancing over her shoulder. “Bring any of those coffee grounds I requested?”
My eyes grew wide when a familiar pair of evergreen irises came into view.
Lynx and Saros?
Married?
Now that I thought about it, the coffee Lynx had brought over was from Luna’s. It would make sense if he just visited with his husband and grabbed some coffees on his way to take pity on the new single-mom neighbor.
Holy Mother Goddess above, I almost kissed amarriedman.
Fury boiled through me, stamping out any steamy thoughts that had previously wafted in his direction.
