Page 78 of Enchanted

“Up there,” Harry said excitedly, shoving a pair of binoculars at each of us. “There’s a woodpecker. Can you see it?”

I made a mental note to bring Benji here. Birds had been a hyperfixation of his a decade or so ago, and he’d like nothing more than to pick Harry’s brain.

“I see it,” Ethan said, excitement creeping into his voice as he peered through the binoculars out the windscreen. “Oh, I wish I had my camera with the long lens with me.”

I rubbed his shoulders before letting my hands fall away. “Tell you what, we’ll come back here one day. Harry, what’s the best season to visit?”

That sent Harry off on another tangent as he threw the car into gear and took off at speed. Ethan’s eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. They lingered, the quiet want and hope in them speaking volumes.

I really shouldn’t have booked us in for quite so many activities.

Harry talked non-stop, but I couldn’t say I took any of it in. I was too busy watching Ethan. How his eyes lit up whenever he spotted what Harry was pointing out. The silent way he approached the wildlife, getting as close as he dared. The concentration on his face as he lined up the shot.

The satisfied smile as he checked the photo. That was my favourite.

He did stumble a few times, his feet unerringly finding every root sticking up out of the ground, but I was always there to steady him. The way he blushed every time I did so was also becoming another of my favourite things to witness.

Safe to say, Ethan was enjoying himself. He asked Harry lots of follow-up questions, settling into easy conversation with our guide as we hiked through woodland and fields. Whenever he stopped to show me a picture he’d snapped, I was blown away by his talent. “And to think, you were worried about not having your camera with you.”

“Puh-lease,” Ethan scoffed. “If I had my equipment, they’d be a million times better.”

“You’ll have to prove it to me the next time we come here.”

He blushed but didn’t contradict me, which gave me more hope than I had any right to be feeling.

When our hike was over, Harry led us to our next activity. He talked right up until a small hut came into view. In the shade of the towering oak beside it, there was a small area that had been set up for axe throwing. There was a target, several axes with varying handles on the floor, and a hamper filled with snacks.

None of those things seemed to be what had caused Harry’s sudden silence. From how his gaze was fixed on the burly figure leaning against the tree, I was willing to bet that the ranger awaiting our arrival was the reason. Ethan nudged my side, cocking his head in the man’s direction and glancing pointedly between him and Harry. I winked to show him I’d spotted the same thing and was rewarded with his cheeky grin.

Was this how the other Seraphim felt with their mates? Able to understand each other with nothing more than a simple glance?

I hoped so, because this feeling? It was pretty fucking awesome.

As we drew nearer, the ranger shoved off the tree and strode towards us. He was tall; not as tall as me, but he towered over Harry. A short beard covered his jaw, and tattoos peeked from under his sleeves. If I had to describe the kind of bloke who’d be leading an axe throwing session, it would be this man right here.

An easy grin curved his lips as he extended a hand to each of us in turn. “Afternoon. The name’s Owen.”

My supernatural ears picked up a tiny whimper from Harry’s direction. I glanced over to see he was almost beetroot, staring down at the grass like an earthworm might appear and give him an excuse to escape.

“Rami,” I said, shaking his hand after Ethan introduced himself. “Nice to meet you.”

“Trust the two of you have enjoyed your hike?” Owen said, stepping up beside Harry and throwing an arm around his shoulders. “Harry here’s our best ranger. You got very lucky to have him as your guide. Did you know, he’s the ecologist for the entire site?”

Harry turned such a deep red that I quietly drew up my power. I might not be able to stop him fainting under this man’s praise, but at least I could give him a soft landing.

“He was excellent,” Ethan said quickly. “The best. We had a great time.”

“That’s what I like to hear,” Owen said. He unwrapped his arm from Harry’s shoulders and gave him a thump on the back. His strength sent Harry stumbling forwards a step before he caught himself. “See, Harry? You need to have more confidence in yourself. I keep telling you we’re lucky to have you.”

“I know.” The smile Harry gave the other ranger was almost pained. “Thank you, Owen.”

“Are you going to stay and watch the session?”

Harry’s eyes swept over Owen’s arms, lingering for a second on how the material of his shirt stretched across his biceps. When he spoke, his voice was very high. “No, I’m good. I mean, I have another tour. Thank you though!”

Ethan and I exchanged another knowing look. If I had to guess, Owen was straight and completely oblivious to poor Harry’s feelings. God, I knew how that felt. I’d been in his position enough times to want to give the ranger a hug and reassure him that it’d all get better. That one day, he’d find the person meant for him.

But there was no guarantee of that. I’d had the luck of the angels on my side. Fate, whoever they were, had chosen Ethan for me.