Page 9

Randy freezes, his expression turning to stone. My mouth goes dry, and my knees threaten to buckle.

Neither of us mentioned the mating bond to Layla. My mind immediately flashes to that unfortunate incident at the café this morning.

"How do you know about the mating bond?" Randy asks, voice cold.

She seems surprised by the sudden chill in his demeanor. "I heard it around," she says vaguely.

"Around where? We haven't told anyone."

His grass-green eyes find mine, and they may be the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. And they were trusting.

Until they're not.

My guilt must show on my face. His head tilts, and his brow furrows. "You—you told someone? You didn't wait to announce it together?"

That is traditional, even though plenty of people don't follow the old ways anymore. But Randy, the most stubbornly traditional man I've ever met, would’ve wanted to announce our mating bond together. I'd been too wrapped up in my own feelings, and I'd wanted to vent. I have no excuse.

My actions were callous, and I wish desperately that I could take them back when hurt flashes through his eyes. "I was at the café talking to a friend. I needed advice on how to handle all of this. But Nick was at the next table—"

"Nick Claw? The demon?"

It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes. There's only one Nick in town.

"Yes, and, well... you know he likes to stir the pot. I think he thought telling people would be funny…"

"Which friend?" Randy demands, a little sharper than I expect.

"I—um—Lawrence," I admit.

He nods but says nothing more.

A dainty cough draws my attention back to Layla, who, I admit, I'd forgotten about while studying Randy's eyes.

"In any case," she says pointedly, moving on. "Laz will be out in a few hours."

"Until then, my guess is that the magic is trying to strengthen your bond. Normally, that happens when mates grow emotionally and physically closer. And the distance tether is probably only the beginning. As the spell progresses, it might resort to increasingly... invasive tactics."

"You make it sound as though the spell can think," Randy gripes.

Layla smiles, showing every one of her slightly oversharp teeth. "Good luck."

With that, she turns and walks up the narrow dirt path toward the main road, leaving Randy and me alone together.

Willoughby

Layla leaves us at Laz's door. The sun is beginning to set over Lake Huron. Oranges and purples splash across the sky. A cool breeze pulls at my open vest, revealing the belted brown tunic underneath. This has been a long day, and I'm not a young gnome anymore.

"Where are you going?" Randy asks.

I sigh, closing my eyes and starting to walk.

"Home. Hopefully for a nap," I say, heading down the path again.

"We can't go home yet, I'm afraid."

I ignore him, but just as I take another step, Randy pops into existence directly in front of me. My teeth clench, and another aggravated growl slips out. Randy stares back with equal irritation.

He's still upset, I realize. Because I revealed our mating bond before he was ready.