44. Ivy
Ivy
"I don't think we should go," Conall says.
I roll my eyes. We've had this conversation already.
"What do you think I should do? Stay home?" I look at him pointedly. After the conversation about my relationship history, he understands, but I need to know he knows I won't go back to that. Mate or not.
His eyes darken, and he steps close. The warmth of his body seeps into mine. He hunches, forehead brushing close, eyes searching mine. "I would never cage you," he vows, and it sinks right to my center, filling a space that's been empty for far too long.
"Then I want to go to dinner. I want to do more than just exist here. Everyone here has this community, and it's weird and a little messed up and a lot dangerous, but it's real, and I want to learn to be part of it."
"Then get a coffee at the café, or run your store, or go to the pitiful little community town halls that mean absolutely nothing. You don't have to go to Dolly's for a night of wine, bad gossip, and weird pink furniture."
I stare at him as the heart of this conversation occurs to me. "Oh my God, are you scared of Puppy?"
He straightens, chin jutting out. "I'm not scared of that wood dweller." I raise one eyebrow. He scowls, "Things like that should not be around people, houses, other monsters, or society in general."
I hold up my hands. "Regardless, Puppy is not going to be there. He doesn't do anything domestic, apparently." Dolly had told me when she suggested a little dinner get-together before the full moon spell that Puppy doesn't like crowds.
Conall’s eyes widen. "Of course not. But he'll be hovering in those woods. Mark my words."
I scowl at him. "What is Puppy anyway? I saw her leaving out blood, so like, a vampire?"
He scoffs. "Vampires are usually very civilized, pompous creatures. They don't live in the woods. I'm not going to speak of his species. If you see it, you'll understand."
I take a step closer to him. My fingers find his torso and spread as I press my hands more firmly there, feeling every hard ridge of muscle. He grunts and bands an arm around me, pulling me closer. I look up to make sure he's paying attention. His eyes study my face.
"Do you remember how you said you'd do anything to earn my trust and make me feel safe again?" I ask sweetly.
His eyes close, and he swallows hard. "Fine. But before we go, I have something for you."
"What?" I turn and find him hauling a big package out of the closet. It's rectangular, flat, and half my size. The wrapping paper is cut oddly, wrinkled, and covered in tape. He carries it to my small dining table and sets it down.
I step up to it cautiously.
"It's not a bomb," he teases.
"Then what is it?" I hiss. Surprises are not my favorite thing.
"Open it and find out."
My fingers find the edge of the wrapping paper and tear.
As the paper gives way, woodgrain shows through beneath.
I pull faster and more frantically as the shape becomes more evident.
A beautiful wooden sign, polished and painted, lies under the wrapping paper.
Ivy's Gifts and Things is written in beautiful, swirling lettering with little ivy leaves along the edges.
My eyes meet his green ones, fixed intently on me. My face breaks into a wide smile that hurts my cheeks. "Did you make this?"
He barks a laugh. "Absolutely not. I have no idea how to woodwork, and no artistic talent." He stands behind me, one hand spread on the table, the other tracing lines up and down my spine. His rain-soaked scent fills my senses.
"Don't be mad, but I might have borrowed your doodle.
" He hands me back the slip of paper I'd sketched the idea on, the one I thought I'd left safely under the counter at the shop.
"I took it out to the centaur clan. They're really good with woodworking.
They're the ones who made Laz's log tower monstrosity of a home. "
My mouth opens to ask why, but his eyes catch mine, and I already know. I know, and I feel it too.
The inside of Dolly's house is very much like the outside of Dolly's house. Pink on pink. Very cottage-Barbie vibes. It's not very large, but it's started raining outside, so we all squeeze in. I keep bumping into Edgar despite the hat.
Laz is taller than everyone in the room and has to hunch to keep from hitting his head on the chandelier.
Ada stands in front of a wall so no one comes near her wings, which glow faintly in the low lighting.
Killian couldn't make it tonight since his clan is bracing for the worst. Apparently, word has spread about my intent to fix the wards, and the centaurs have interpreted this as preparation for an explosion.
They believe I'll accidentally blow up the island.
Nick is also conspicuously missing. But Layla has arrived and brought more books for Conall and me, and a few for Laz, who takes them with a smile. Amy brought wine and has already poured herself a glass.
Everyone brought a dish. Some sit at the small dining table, others on the nearby couch, and some stand.
Conall stands directly behind me, occasionally reaching down to drag the tips of his claws gently through my hair.
I tip my head back and smile up at him. He looks back down at me with deep, wanting eyes. For a moment, it's just us.
I smile, and glance back around the table to find the others watching us, expressions ranging from knowing looks to wide grins.
Heat rushes to my face. Thankfully, Ada breaks the tension. "Do you feel ready to do the reversal spell tomorrow?"
My stomach drops. Logic says the reversal spell is probably right. That's what Laz thinks, and Conall has clear reservations about doing anything else. But the whole thing still nags at me.
My instincts, those things I've been trying to trust again since my ex made me feel like a crazy person who couldn't get anything right, are not on board with the reversal spell. Not even a little.
Still, I smile. This isn't the time for this debate. Everyone is happy and at ease. "Yeah, I think I am," I say with far more confidence than I feel. "Hopefully this isn't a goodbye dinner." Everyone goes still.
"Why would it be a goodbye dinner?" Layla demands, her cat-like eyes narrowing at me.
I stumble for a moment before landing on a nervous laugh.
"Because the city council seemed pretty hell-bent on kicking me out.
Because I'm human. I mean, take your pick.
I know I'm Conall's mate—" he kisses the top of my head, and it always sends a warm wave of comfort through me, "—but I don't think they're going to care once everything's fixed. "
"No one's making my mate leave," Conall growls. I expect them to reason with him, to tell him that's not how things work. Instead—
"Yeah, that's not happening," Amy says firmly, her eyes flashing a dangerous shade of purple.
I sit stunned for a moment. I open my mouth, but before I can say anything, Dolly pipes in. "You live here now." Her very cold, very pale hand comes to rest on top of mine.
"How would they even do that? Dump you in the lake and expect you to swim back?" Edgar asks, incensed.
"I mean, they can try. Nick says the properties are mine legally, but since this island doesn't appear on any map and the wards make it unfindable, I don't think laws matter that much," I say, trying to sound light about it to keep from tearing up.
Are they all really advocating for keeping me here?
"No, they can't," Layla insists. "Not unless they want nothing to read on top of having shitty electronics and no movies or TV."
"And not unless they want to go without a single sip of caffeine for the rest of their very long lives," Ada agrees.
"That honestly sounds like literal hell," I admit.
"I would also threaten them with something," Edgar agrees. "If I did anything of any importance on this island."
This earns a good laugh.
"They're right, though," Laz says. "I cast all the spells, however poorly, for the island. They run the main businesses. Conall's always been an important member of the community, and people listen to him. We're not letting them kick you out, Ivy. No matter what."
I definitely have to swipe at my eyes before anyone sees me cry. I've had friends and relationships, and I have my sister, and we had our mom. But this little community I somehow got pulled into, kicking and screaming, is the most at home I've ever felt, and I plan to fight for it.