Chapter 7
SEVEN
X ai’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Yes. A standard review of safety protocols and magical containment measures.”
“Of course.” A faint smile touched Willow’s lips. “She’s done remarkable work with that old Victorian. The magical architecture alone is worthy of study—integrating modern therapeutic techniques with traditional ley line management.”
“You’ve visited?” Noven asked.
“For a preliminary blessing last week. The girl has her mother’s eye for detail and her father’s sense of responsibility.” Willow’s gaze returned to Xai, suddenly penetrating. “She’s quite unique, our Zina.”
Something in her tone made Xai study the witch more carefully. Elder Waters had a reputation for foresight that went beyond mere intuition. “You approve of her venture, then?”
“I find it... providential,” Willow replied enigmatically. “Particularly in light of recent... developments in our community.”
“You mean Severin Madrigal’s expanding influence,” Xai stated flatly.
“Among other things.” She reached out, touching his forearm lightly. “Judge her on her own merits, Xai, not on centuries of clan prejudice or current political maneuvering. You might find she surprises you.”
With that cryptic advice, Willow departed, leaving Xai to wonder what, exactly, the witch had foreseen.
“Well,” Noven said after a moment. “That wasn’t ominous at all.”
Xai grunted noncommittally, but his mind was already turning over the implications of Willow’s words. The elder witch rarely offered such direct counsel, preferring to let events unfold without her interference. For her to speak so plainly suggested something significant about Zina Parker or her spa—perhaps both.
They exited the town hall into the bright afternoon sunlight. Spring had fully claimed Enchanted Falls with cherry blossoms and dogwoods painting the town in shades of pink and white. The air carried the scent of new growth and possibilities.
“Car or walk?” Noven asked.
Xai considered the distance to Willow Lane. “Walk. I could use the fresh air.”
“Translation: you need to cool down before meeting the proprietress of Purrfect Oasis,” Noven teased, deftly sidestepping Xai’s half-hearted attempt to step on his foot.
They made their way through the town square where supernatural beings in human form went about their daily business. A group of young fae flitted around the central fountain, their laughter carried on the breeze. An elderly werewolf couple nodded respectfully as Xai passed, while a trio of witch apprentices hurried by with arms full of herb bundles.
This was what he protected—this peaceful coexistence, this sanctuary hidden from human eyes. Whatever his frustrations with council politics, the preservation of Enchanted Falls and its inhabitants remained his primary duty as dragon elder.
“You’re brooding again,” Noven observed.
“Dragons don’t brood,” Xai replied automatically.
“Right. You’re contemplating with draconic intensity. My mistake.”
Despite himself, Xai huffed out a laugh. “Remind me why I keep you around.”
“Because I’m the only one who tells you the truth about yourself,” Noven said cheerfully. “And I make excellent coffee. Speaking of which—” He nodded toward Honeycrisp Bakery as they passed. “We could stop for a quick espresso before the inspection. Artemis made those cinnamon rolls you like this morning.”
Xai checked his watch. “We don’t have time.”
“We have twelve minutes, and the spa is just around the corner.”
“Punctuality matters.”
“So does your blood sugar. You get irritable when you’re hungry. More irritable,” Noven amended at Xai’s glare.
“I’ll survive without pastry.”
“Your loss,” Noven shrugged. “Though they say Zina Parker has quite the sweet tooth. Something about her signature coffee being more dessert than beverage.”
Xai shot him a suspicious look. “That’s not in any file.”
“Small town,” Noven grinned. “I have my sources.”
As they turned onto Willow Lane, Purrfect Oasis Spa came into view. The renovated Victorian stood proudly on its corner lot, its fresh paint and tasteful signage making it stand out among the older establishments. Large windows caught the afternoon light while hanging plants added touches of greenery to the welcoming facade.
Xai slowed his pace, studying the building with critical eyes. The protective wards shimmered faintly around the perimeter—visible only to those with the magical sight to see them. Whoever had cast them had been both skilled and precise in their work.
“Not bad,” Noven murmured beside him. “The magical balance is well-maintained, especially considering it sits directly above that ley line junction.”
Xai nodded absently. As they approached the entrance, his draconic senses heightened, picking up on details imperceptible to most beings. Three heartbeats inside the building—two steady, one slightly accelerated. The soothing scent of eucalyptus and sage drifted from within.
But beneath it, something else caught his attention—a fragrance he couldn’t immediately identify. Something wild yet delicate, complex, and layered. He paused at the threshold, momentarily transfixed.
“Problem?” Noven asked, watching him curiously.
Xai shook his head, unwilling to explain the sudden alertness of his draconic senses. “No. Let’s proceed.”
The moment they stepped through the door, that unknown scent intensified—summer warmth, citrus, and something primally feminine that made his inner dragon surge toward consciousness with shocking force. His nostrils flared involuntarily, his pupils dilating as his body instinctively tracked the source.
Five centuries of life had never prepared him for this reaction. His heart rate accelerated and heat bloomed in his core radiating outward in a wave that threatened to manifest physically. With iron discipline, he forced his temperature to normalize, fighting the almost overwhelming urge to seek out the scent’s origin like a predator tracking prey.
No, not prey. His dragon didn’t hunger for conquest. It hungered for...
Mine.