I know who she is. How couldn’t I, when both Rowan and Ash look at her like she’s the Ghost of Christmas Past?
My fear is confirmed when Rowan finds his voice. “Keira.”
I was wrong.
Gnome houses aren’t that bad. You don’t knowtruedread until your accidental mate’s ex-fiancée walks into your tea shop.
Chapter 2
A Steady Supply of Hugs
Iglance down at my outfit, feeling ridiculous in my sunflower-print summer dress. I thought it looked nice this morning, but now I feel juvenile.
Keira is tall and elegant. I am short and pixie-cute. She looks like she’s seen the world, and my biggest adventure was driving to Vermont from Washington. Just the fact that she can navigate Moss Hollow’s cobblestone roads in those heels is intimidating.
The mom in the family ushers her people to the counter, stopping in front of me because it’s obvious Rowan has been claimed.
My stomach lurches.
Clouds move over the sun, darkening the tearoom, and a rumble of distant thunder warns me I need to get a grip.
I drag my attention to my customers, ignoring my sudden cold sweat and the panicked flutters in my chest. I can freak out later.
“Hi there,” I say to the family, working on autopilot. “What can I make for you?”
Unfortunately, the dad’s attention is on the weather. He frowns as he gazes out the front windows. “Those clouds moved in quickly. It was sunny while we were out there.”
Rowan and Ash both look my way. Thanks to my magic summoning the storm, they’re now aware of my insecurity. Let me just go find a nice rock to hide under.
Embarrassed, my eyes move to Rowan.
He looks ill. His face is white, and his eyes are too wide. I don’t know how to decipher his expression. He stares at me, mouth open as though he wants to say something but doesn’t remember how to form words.
Keira stops at the counter in front of him. She pulls her eyes away from Rowan long enough to glance at me, sizing me up. Apparently not worried about what she sees, she silently dismisses me and looks back at her ex-fiancé.
“Tell me what happened,” she demands without a greeting. “Tell me where you went. Give me some explanation for the last seven years, because I don’t understand.”
Rowan glances at the family, unable to answer in front of humans.
“Maybe you should go upstairs,” I say, barely able to spit out the words thanks to the resistance from our bond.
I recognize it for what it is now—the bond is the irrational jealousy that’s been surfacing since we fused our magic, showing its occasional displeasure. And it’s showing a lot of displeasure right now.
Rowan looks like he wants to refuse, but he swallows, nods once, and takes off his apron like he’s preparing to make the slow walk to his execution.
The green-eyed monster quiets somewhat. Rowan’s not happy to see his ex-fiancée, nor is he looking forward to this private conversation. But how much of his resistance is the bond blocking his true feelings? What would his response be if our magic wasn’t fused?
And is this what Rowan’s been dealing with? Does he constantly question my affection, unsure if it’s genuine or magically induced? It’s not a good feeling.
Ash waits to the side as I fill the family’s order. I set their large teapot and scones on a wooden tray, tucking a digital timer next to the stack of plates. “Be sure to take the infuser out of the teapot when the timer goes off. I’ve added a little dish you can set it in. Let me know if you’d like more hot water. I can usually get two nice steeps out of this blend.”
“Do you have honey?” the mom asks.
“There are honey sticks on the credenza on the side wall, along with other sweeteners, cream, and milk. Help yourself.”
I turn my eyes to Ash when they’re on their way to their table. The councilman stares at a napkin on the counter, looking lost.
“Are you okay?” I ask him, disconcerted to see him appearing less than controlled.
