On my way out, I retrieve the list from my cloak pocket and follow him into the ungodly bright day. For a moment, I consider returning for my parasol but decide against it. There is an off chance that my mother has recovered from her faint, and if that is the case, she will surely have an entire monologue prepared regarding my choice of companion for the day. Best to delay that lecture until the evening, once she has had some time to bake off her rage and my hangover has dissipated.
Who knows? Perhaps I’ll get lucky and she’ll be well into her own bottle of wine before I return.
Maddox opens the white gate, allowing me past.
He’s more reserved than usual, making no attempt to fill the silence with random comments about the shape of the clouds or the sound of the bees, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.
Not that it matters since I’m only here to assist him, not to grow closer. Might as well get on with our business.
“Last night, I made a list of all the things that should help you win your Unseelie’s heart.” Holding out the paper, I wait for him to take it.
For some reason, this makes Maddox frown. It’s strange seeing the expression on his normally smiling lips. It makes him look like all the other Unseelie fae.
I’m not sure I like it.
Again, not that it matters.
He takes the paper and slowly unfolds the sheet. Midnight eyes dart back and forth across the page. “Tell her she is beautiful. Always hold her?—”
My face heats at the sound of his deep, lilting voice speaking the words I wrote. “You don’t need to read them out loud.” Infact, I’d prefer he didn’t. The list is for him to study and take to heart when he’s alone—and I’m well out of earshot.
He scans the paper in silence as we make our way toward town. The biscuit did nothing to soak up the alcohol swimming in my gut. I need some proper food—and fast.
Maddox comes to a halt in front of the apothecary, sweeping a large hand through his dark hair. “What if I do all of these and she still does not wish to be my mate?”
“Then perhaps you’re not meant to be together.” Sometimes, what we want more than anything doesn’t work out. “This shouldn’t go only one way, Maddox. She should be as enamored with you as you are with her.” He deserves that much. Everyone does.
A nod. “You have given me much to think about.” He turns as if he’s about to leave me on my own in the middle of the street.
I should’ve added “never abandon her” to the list. “Where are you going?”
Maddox glances from the folded paper to me and back again.
Realization strikes like lighting. Clearly, he wants to put my advice into practice right this moment.
He’s going to tell her she is beautiful.
To listen to her hopes and dreams. To give her his sharp-toothed smiles.
When was the last time someone was that anxious to see me?
I doubt Nolan would’ve gone through this much trouble to win me over. If we hadn’t clicked from the beginning, he would’ve simply moved on to the next woman, just like the others I’ve been with.
Am I really so disposable?
Does it make me pathetic that I don’t want Maddox to leave just yet?
Good thing I’m too hungover to care.
“Would you like to eat before you go?” I nod toward the café up the road. “LaMonte has exceptional blueberry pie.”
He stares at me like I’ve lost my damn mind. Maybe I have. After all, I just brought up a conversation we had the night we first met. A conversation that, from the way his brow furrows, he doesn’t even remember.
“At Beltane, when Kerris gave Everett that pie, you said you preferred blueberry.”
Why did I bother explaining? He clearly has no recollection of the flirtatious exchange.
Maddox folds the list and slips the paper into his trouser pocket. “All right, Nia Quill. I will try this pie and see if it is truly as exceptional as you say.”
