Chapter 15 #2
Nia found herself gripping her utensil again.
She was going to kill Daniel. Possibly with a fork, in front of an entire restaurant of canoodling couples.
The community garden harvest was Ivy’s passion project, one she poured her heart into because she grew up never knowing where her next meal would come from.
“I can’t wait to dig into the gardens Ivy helped create,” Lochlan said, his steady voice cutting through the tension.
“I understand one community garden can feed three hundred people. All the gardens Ivy has been involved with will provide enough food to support not just those in Stella Rune, but the surrounding towns as well. It’s incredible. ”
Nia was speechless. She glanced toward Ivy and saw a blush creep across her cheeks. Nia could kiss Lochlan for bringing this tiny bit of joy to the otherwise irredeemable encounter.
Then Daniel opened his mouth.
“Yeah, gardening sounds about right for you,” he said with another smirk. “Bet you’ve never lifted anything heavier than a book.”
“Say one more thing about him,” Nia murmured under her breath, “and I will gut you where you sit.” Her shadows stirred, uncoiling like restless serpents, creeping along the wooden floor of the restaurant. It would be quick. No one would know. She’d drag him under the table and strangle him and—
A warm spark flared through her magic. Lochlan’s shadows entwined with hers, curling around them like a soft tether. The caress echoed across her skin, soothing her rage. Suddenly, she didn’t feel quite so murdery.
Nia glanced toward Lochlan. He gave a subtle shake of his head and she decided to stand down.
The server came with their main course and Nia pushed her food around her plate, her appetite long gone.
She couldn’t eat—not with Ivy looking like she wanted to melt into the floor and Lochlan trying to keep the peace as Daniel droned on about this party or that supplement or this workout.
At one point, she caught Lochlan checking his phone; she didn’t blame him.
If she thought there was an escape that wouldn’t leave Ivy alone with Big D, she’d take it in a heartbeat.
Across the table, Daniel shoveled the last bite of his steak into his mouth. His eyes landed on Ivy’s plate. “If you’re not going to eat that—”
“Oh, um, I might…”
Without waiting for Ivy’s answer, he dragged it across the table and began plowing through her untouched pasta. Ivy looked uncomfortable and even a little worried. As irritated as Nia was with her for dragging Lochlan and her into this, she hated seeing Ivy like that.
When Daniel’s gaze shifted toward Nia’s plate, she stiffened. She met his gaze head-on, daring him to try.
“Don’t even think about it,” Lochlan said, low and commanding.
But Nia wanted Daniel to think about it. Let him try, she thought. She’d spent the past half hour conjuring increasingly creative—and satisfying—ways to stab him with her fork.
The server approached, smiling brightly, oblivious to the tension simmering at the table. “Would anyone care for dessert?”
Before Nia could respond, Lochlan raised a hand. “Just the checks, please,” he said with his usual politeness, though the edge in his voice was unmistakable.
Daniel shoved his chair back with a loud screech, making everyone wince. “Bathroom,” he grunted, disappearing without another word.
Nia threw her napkin onto her plate. “Well, that was torture.”
Ivy looked like she was about to cry. “He really didn’t seem this awful when he asked me out, but… he is. Isn’t he? I really am cursed!” She buried her face in her hands. “How do I get rid of him?”
Nia could think of several ways, all of which were satisfyingly violent, and none of which were particularly feasible in a restaurant full of witnesses. She was searching for something reassuring to say to Ivy instead, when she caught sight of a familiar figure weaving through the restaurant.
“Becket?” she said, surprised.
“Well, look at this,” he drawled with an easy grin. “If it isn’t my favorite witch and her husband-slash-my-best-friend.”
At the sound of Becket’s voice, Ivy’s head popped up, her wide eyes blinking at the stranger.
“What are you doing here?” Nia crossed her arms tightly over her chest. Her suspicions had her skipping introductions.
She hadn’t seen Becket since the lawyer’s networking event—since that moment in the hallway. She could still feel the warmth of Lochlan’s arms, the soft rasp of his breath against her neck, and the hollow ache as they’d pulled apart when Becket appeared.
He stood before them, grinning, like he’d orchestrated this moment, too.
“I was grabbing a drink before heading to the autumn festival,” Becket said casually.
Nia’s gaze flicked to Lochlan, then back to Becket, her eyes narrowing. “Alone?”
Becket sighed dramatically, pressing a hand to his chest. “I can’t help it if a certain gorgeous redhead has monopolized all the time of my one and only friend.”
Nia raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
“It’s fine,” Becket continued with a shrug, clearly undeterred. “I figured the autumn festival would be fun, even if I’m going solo—maybe it’ll distract me from my loneliness.”
“Oh no,” Ivy piped up, her breathy tone edged with concern. “You can’t go alone. That’s not how it’s done.”
Their eyes met and Becket extended his hand.
“I’m Lochlan’s best friend, Becket.” He took Ivy’s hand gently and brought her knuckles to his lips, brushing them lightly. “Though, sadly, he hasn’t named me after a flower yet.”
Ivy tilted her head, studying him with quiet but intent curiosity. Lochlan rolled his eyes. “Becket, this is Ivy,” he said, his tone long-suffering, “Nia’s best friend and business partner.”
Becket’s gaze remained locked on Ivy as his smile turned softer, more sincere. “Ivy suits you perfectly.”
Nia watched the prettiest pink spread across her cheeks.
“It looks like you three are all finished with dinner,” Becket continued, leaning back with an easy air. “Maybe you could join me?”
Ivy hesitated, her eyes flitting to the bathroom door.
Lochlan and Nia spoke at once.
“I’ll take care of the checks,” he said, rising.
“I’ll go take care of…” Nia’s voice trailed off as she glared at the bathrooms.
“Why don’t you three head out front?” Lochlan suggested, following her gaze. “I’ll handle things here.”
Nia hesitated, her instincts telling her to stay and see things through herself. But Lochlan was calm and exuded quiet confidence, and she did want to keep an eye on Ivy.
She exhaled softly and turned, allowing Becket to guide her and Ivy outside.
The autumn festival spilled onto the streets, its decorations extending beyond the square.
Twinkling lanterns hung from the lamp posts, their golden glow casting warm pools of light on the cobblestones.
Bundles of dried wheat and pumpkins lined the storefronts and the crisp night air carried the scents of cinnamon and cider.
Still, despite the festive atmosphere, the unpleasant tension from dinner clung stubbornly to Nia.
Becket filled the silence with easy small talk, his tone light and teasing, but she didn’t hear a word.
Her thoughts were back in the restaurant.
She was the one who always handled things—cleaned up the messes, dealt with the bad guys.
Why was it so hard to let someone else take responsibility?
Arms crossed tightly over her chest, she muttered something vague to Becket, ignored a questioning glance from Ivy, and turned back to the restaurant.
The dining room was nearly empty now, and their table abandoned.
Nia’s eyes scanned the space until they landed on the hallway where the bathrooms were.
With quick steps she headed toward it, but slowed as she realized the air felt odd, different: heavy with a kind of magic that had nothing to do with the glow of romantic warmth.
She rounded the corner and froze.
Daniel stood against the wall, all smugness gone and replaced by an unease that bordered on panic.
An angry rash spread across his skin in vivid streaks as ropes of ivy and shadows curled around his arms and chest. The tendrils pulsed faintly, alive with magic, their movements glamoured so he wouldn’t notice.
Lochlan stood before him.
“I don’t care what videos you saw of Ivy. That doesn’t make her yours, and it sure as hell doesn’t mean she owes you anything.” His voice was measured, each word sure and controlled, like his magic. “You’re going to delete her number. You’re never going to contact her again.”
Nia’s breath hitched. She’d seen Lochlan use magic before, but never like this. The shadows and vines obeyed him with seemingly effortless precision, subtle enough to stay hidden but potent enough to make her pulse race.
Goddess, it was hot.
Daniel gazed at Lochlan, his confusion replaced with uneasy fear.
Lochlan looked at the rash, then met his eyes. “You should go home, Daniel. Before that spreads any further.”
Daniel glanced down to the angry red welts creeping along his arms. With a strangled noise, he scrambled away and pushed through the door at the end of the hall without a backward glance.
Lochlan turned to leave, mild annoyance written across his face, but when his eyes landed on Nia his expression shifted—relief, first, then something more guarded.
“You took care of things,” she said. It wasn’t a question.
“Of course.” He sounded wary but matter-of-fact.
Nia’s jumbled thoughts suddenly clicked into place. Lochlan showing up to the date. Checking his phone at the table. Becket’s sudden arrival. Lochlan quietly taking care of the checks. Becket taking Ivy to the festival. Lochlan taking care of the ass hat.
Taking care of her.
Oh no.
No, no, no.
There was a mess of warm feelings rolling around her rib cage, sticky and unavoidable. And worse—a mess of heat creeping across her skin, pooling low in her belly. She was getting all worked up over being cared for.
Oh, goddess help her.
Lochlan’s voice pulled her from her spiral. “Ready for the autumn festival?” His eyes held hers. “There’s a chance we can still turn tonight around for Ivy.”
Nia swallowed hard. Her pulse skipped as she nodded quickly and managed, a little breathlessly: “Yeah. Okay.”
Lochlan’s lips quirked in a faint smile, and she prayed he couldn’t see the war going on inside her. He held out a hand. After a heartbeat of consideration, she slipped her fingers into his, and they walked into the cool night together.