Chapter 8 #2
As messed up as that time was, Moira’s magic snafu had resulted in me finding out exactly what kind of person Caelan was and spearheaded our subsequent move here. One night had a serious butterfly effect on all of our lives, though my spirit was more settled than it had been in months.
“How’s it going? Can you get rid of the excess?”
Mom and Moira exchanged a glance. “No,” Mom said slowly. “Things aren’t quite that simple.”
When were they ever?
“Much like you, Moira possesses unique DNA.” Mom looked like she wanted to say more but held her tongue.
“Exposure to our magic manifested within her body in curious ways. Since she can’t rid herself of the power, she has to learn how to handle it to the best of her abilities. And she’s doing well.”
“No more pulling gods from the aether,” Moira said with a wince.
Mom snorted. “Yes, well, Lugh had a lot to do with that one. Most of us aren’t looking for opportunities to screw up some lives.”
“I’d like to meet those people,” I muttered.
Moira poured me another drink. “Me too, sister.”
Mom shook her glass at Moira. Once we were all refilled, she kicked off her shoes and studied me. Mom and I looked a lot alike, so it was almost like staring into a mirror. “Tell me, darling, what is going on with the delectable Lord I scent all over your home?”
Moira choked on her drink.
Mom grinned. “The bond between you is brighter. Have you decided to accept?”
I tipped up the drink and downed it in one go. Moira’s eyebrows rose, but she was a great friend because she refilled me without a word.
“No,” I said slowly. “I haven’t decided one way or another. But I like him. A lot.”
Moira got it. “But you liked Caelan too, and look what happened.”
I nodded. “They’re not the same. Not even close. But Rowan is a Lord. I’m hesitant to take that step because this one is far more serious. Caelan and I weren’t mates. Now I know we were never going to be. This feels much more serious.”
Mom nodded. “You’re right. But haven’t you considered what a mate is?”
I stared at her. “Um. Someone you’re tied to for eternity?”
Mom gave me a look and downed her drink. Moira let out a soft laugh and poured her another, then got up to make another pitcher full. My head was already feeling a little buzzy. Mom had brought the good stuff.
“Bring the extra tacos over!” Mom called. “We’re going to need them.”
“Ooh! There’s a tin of brownies by the coffee pot!” I added.
“Hell yeah,” Moira said.
While she was in the kitchen, Mom leaned forward.
“Your definition of a mate is simplistic. While you are ‘tied to them’,” she made insulting finger quotes, “it’s not a punishment.
You want to be with them. A mate is not a boyfriend or a fiancé, or even a husband.
A mate is the piece you’ve been missing your entire life.
The universe, if you will, has elected to give you a special gift in living form.
This gift is meant to complement you in all the best ways, support you in your endeavors, love you without conditions, and, to steal a phrase from the humans, rock your world in the best ways. ”
Moira brought over a fresh pitcher of drinks and all the taco stuff. We all dug in because no one could ever have enough tacos.
“Caelan basically steamrolled you to get you to date him, but who was there the entire time gently guiding you and supporting you? There was no bond between you until recently. You finally let go enough to trust him, and the universe responded. Rowan is not Caelan,” Mom continued.
“He is the furthest thing from that man you can get.”
“But am I a gift to him?”
Moira’s drink sloshed over the side of the rim. “Shit.” She mopped it up while also gawking at me. “Are you serious?”
Stupid magical booze. Tears burned the back of my eyes. “I’m a mess,” I admitted. “Rowan is kind and steady and…”
“So fucking hot?” Moira added helpfully.
“Smoking,” Mom agreed, kissing three of her fingers like a lusty Italian lady. “Those pullovers he wears? Gods!” She fanned herself. “What is going on under those?!”
“Mom!” I knew exactly what was under those and she was not wrong, but Mom should not be lusting after…
Her knowing grin made me snort.
“Caelan was handsome, too.”
“Sure,” Moira agreed. “All the Lords are. But being handsome is a matter of genetics. Anyone has the potential to be handsome. Being hot is an entirely different matter. Rowan is on another level. He’s smart, strategic, funny, wise, and the way he looks at you…
” Moira let out a low whistle. “He’s the kind of guy that would bend you over a fence and make you forget your name. ”
I burst out laughing.
Her cheeks had turned pink from all the laughter and booze.
“I’m serious. Caelan would be all broody and shit about it and probably make you work for it.
Rowan would have your skirt up in five seconds if you gave him a come-hither glance.
Bears see honey and go for it. Rowan is like a sexy cartoon bear, and he is out for your honey, Evie. No one else’s.”
Mom was laughing so hard she had to hold her stomach.
I confessed to what we’d done earlier, keeping it PG-ish because Mom was there.
Some people might be weird about talking about certain things in front of their mothers, but I didn’t know her as a child, not really.
She hadn’t been there. Mom was fae and sexuality was second nature to them. They were not like humans.
“That’s why the bond seemed stronger.” Mom wiggled a finger at me. “You’re playing with fire, darling. If you don’t want to accept the bond, you might want to stop with the hanky-panky.”
“I want to accept it,” I admitted. “But everything feels too soon. I was about to marry Caelan only a few months before.”
Moira reached for my hand. “In other circumstances, I would agree with you. But what you have with Rowan is not a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship. The man is your literal mate. No one controls when that happens. Very few people get to experience this.” Her eyes softened.
“Of all the people I’ve known in my life, you deserve this the most. Who gives a shit what anyone thinks?
If you want to accept the bond, you should. ”
“There’s one more thing.” Moira poured me another drink. Maybe I’d go and get some of those drops from Rowan later. From the fuzziness in my head, I’d need them.
Mom and Moira leaned forward.
“Other magic is tugging at me. I think it’s a fae bond.”
Mom sucked in a breath, her azure eyes wide. “Are you sure?”
“Well, it’s never happened before, so I can’t say with complete certainty, but being around him makes me feral.” I’d always been drawn to Rowan because he put me at ease. But now, I wanted to claw his clothes off every time I saw him.
Mom slowly nodded. “I cannot say with any certainty because I’ve never experienced a bond with another, not a mating bond, anyway.
But I know a few who’ve been lucky enough to experience one.
When the bond is forming, there is an overwhelming draw to the other party.
I believe it takes a while for the male to feel the tug.
If Rowan already feels the shifter bond, it’s possible he won’t notice the other, if that’s what this is.
” Mom frowned. “Would you mind if I looked?”
I’d never allow Mom to use magic on me because I was afraid of her. Things had changed, but the thought still made the abandoned child rear up.
She blinked and leaned back. “Apologies, Evie. I should not have asked.” Mom looked down at her lap. “There will always be wounds and jagged edges between us.”
Her hurt was palpable.
I reached for Mom’s hand. “No. I’m sorry. I—” A heavy sigh escaped me. “The past is difficult to escape, and we still have a lot of work to do. Please. Look. I’d like to know what you see.”
Mom glanced at Moira for some reason, and what she saw there must have reassured her because she scooted her chair closer and placed her hand on my cheek.
She closed her eyes, and a gentle, cool magic swept through my body.
Mom’s magic reminded me of Tess’s, but I felt no fear as she looked within me.
She knew many of my secrets, and I had nothing I felt the need to hide.
When she pulled away and the last of her magic slipped from my body, Mom opened her eyes and gave me a wobbly smile.
“You’re right,” she said quietly. “A fae bond builds within you as well as the shifter bond.” A slight furrow formed between her brows.
“They’ve melded together in the center. I’m not sure what that means yet, but both are strong and pure. ”
She took both my hands. “You are on the brink of something so pure and beautiful, Evangeline. Do not let the wounds you’ve been dealt prevent you from opening yourself to what the universe believes you deserve.”
My lower lip trembled. Moira’s cell beeped, ruining the moment. She winced and pulled out her phone, her mouth pursing as she read the text.
“Everything okay?” Mom asked.
“Sirena is asking to see us.”
“The gelato lady?” I asked in confusion.
Moira gave me a look. “We both know Sirena is a hell of a lot more than just a gelato lady.”
“She has your number?” I was having trouble catching up.
“Duh,” Moira said lightly. “How else would I know what the gelato specials are? She refuses to keep her social media updated.”
“And yet, she texts you?”
Moira waved a dismissive hand. “If only you knew how much money I have in my emergency gelato fund.”
“What does she want?” Mom, coming in with the real questions.
“She has information for us and won’t give it to us over the phone.”
“Could it be a trap?” Mom downed another drink, and Moira, on autopilot now, picked up the pitcher and refilled our glasses.
I was pleasantly buzzed, just about to tip over into full on drunk if I had much more. “Everything is a trap,” I said glumly.
“But if it’s not, and she can lead us to whoever’s doing this,” Moira mused. “That’d be worth the potential of danger, right?”
“What if we run into Caelan?” The thought made me shudder.
“He won’t recognize you,” Mom said. “Unless you get too close. I’ll put glamours on all of us.”
Moira refilled her own drink. “I want to be blonde.”
“Ooh. I’ll be a redhead,” I volunteered.
“Maybe I’ll go as one of the swans and see what happens,” Mom mused.
I gasped and pointed at her. “Genius. See if she has any besties that want to discuss mass murder and kidnappings.”
Moira snorted. “Yes, as one does during natural conversation.”
“What do you think?” Cliona asked. “Should we go? I’m happy to transport us. We can check on Evie’s land, see what the horny gelato maker wants, and stop by and get some of that delicious soup Marnie makes.”
I eyed her. “You know who Marnie is?”
“I care about the woman’s soup more than the woman,” Mom said. “Witches have never been high on my trust list. They’ve always got something brewing.”
We fell silent. Moira was the first to groan. “Is that why gods never tell jokes? Because they’re terrible at it? Gods, woman.”
“Mom.” I rolled my eyes. “You have to know how bad that was.”
Cliona’s eyes twinkled. “Let’s take a trip. You got a thermos, Evie? A big one? Moira will mix up more drinks for us.”
Moira stared down at her empty glass like she was surprised she held anything. “Um. Sure. But I’m feeling pretty buzzed. Should we slow down?”
Mom snorted. “I’ve got drops in my purse. No need to worry about hangovers.”
Moira frowned. “I’m not worried about tomorrow. Not too much anyway. I’m worried about us going to a hostile area after we’ve had—” She unsuccessfully tried to count on her fingers and gave up. “Many drinks.”
“What’s the worst that could happen?” Mom said.
Had she met me?