Chapter 14
Chapter
Fourteen
Inudged Moira and straightened. “Looks like you’re settling in well,” I said.
He spread his arms. “It’s a brand-new world out there, and I am a starving man.” His smile held an edge of malice. “I have you both to thank for this.”
A flash of crimson rolled over Moira’s eyes. Lugh tsked. “There’s no need for anger, my dear. I’ve done nothing alarming or concerning.”
“Where is Tess?” Moira growled.
To Lugh’s credit, his brow furrowed. Confusion flashed over his face. “Tess?”
I jumped in before Moira said something unforgivable. “Our friend is missing. We were concerned she might be here.”
“There’s no need for concern,” Lugh said. “I’m sure she’ll turn up somewhere.”
Someone called his name, and he turned away from us, his arm once again heavy around the shoulder of the woman who accompanied him.
He shouted something unintelligible back and turned to us once more.
“I apologize,” he said, his teeth too white against the tan of his skin.
“There’s plenty to eat and drink and much more revelry to be had if you’d like to stay. ”
Moira stepped forward. I gripped her arm firmly in warning. “We’ll mill around for a little while, then leave you be.”
Moira’s skin heated under my fingers as she bristled with fury.
“If you happen to see our friend, please let us know.”
Lugh nodded, eyes lingering on Moira. “Happy to. Enjoy yourselves.”
Without another word, he turned and escorted the stumbling woman away.
“I hate him,” she seethed. “He has Tess. I can feel it.”
But I wasn’t so sure. “Neit has no reason to lie to us. If he said she hasn’t been here, then I believe him.”
“He’s fae,” she hissed.
I frowned. “So am I, Moira.”
My friend closed her eyes and let out a breath. “Sorry.” She held up a hand. “I’m sorry. I’m just worried.”
When she opened her eyes, they were clear, the worry wiped away and replaced with resolve.
“Then let’s poke around here for a bit and see if we can find anything out to help us find her.”
Moira nodded. “Let’s go.”
And with that, we were off to interrogate the inebriated fae.
A few hours later I was back home in my pajamas, sitting on my back porch drinking hot chocolate.
Stars twinkled and winked above me, the moon hidden on the other side of the world.
I always marveled at the stars and wondered how they could exist with other fae realms above and below us.
Did the night sky look the same in their realms as ours, or was there an entirely new solar system to explore?
The only time I ever visited another realm at night was when my father dragged me to that fae ball to show me off, but there hadn’t been time for exploration.
I’d marveled at the sparkle and elegance of the other fae beings surrounding us, not thinking about stepping outside to see the wonders of the outdoors.
The next time I went, I’d stay long enough to satisfy my curiosity.
My fingers curled around the mug, steam rising above the liquid.
Fragrant and heady, with just a hint of spice, the recipe was passed down to my husband’s family and eventually to me.
As much as I’d tried to distance myself, this recipe was one I could never let go of.
It was too delicious and too comforting, and there’d been little of that during those years.
The wards tingled against my skin. I smiled over the rim of my cup as one of the Lords appeared.
“Hello, Rowan.”
The handsome Lord grinned. “Hello, Evie.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and walked up the back steps. “Any more of that left?”
I held out my mug. “Take this. I’ll get another.”
Rowan took the mug and lifted it in a salute. “Thanks.”
I hurried inside to get another mug. When I walked back outside, Rowan had made himself at home on the outdoor sofa.
“You didn’t tell me you were coming.”
His eyes twinkled. “I wanted to surprise you, but I can tell Caelan spilled the beans.”
“Guilty.”
He sighed and sipped his cocoa. “This is delicious.”
“Thanks. I simmer a chipotle pepper with the milk.”
“That’s what I taste!”
We fell into a comfortable silence for a while. “How are things?” he asked after a while.
“Heating up,” I said with a sigh.
One of his eyebrows rose. “Oh? Anything I should be concerned about?”
I waved my hand at him. “Nah. Moira accidentally let a trickster god loose, and Caelan has an old lover staying with him.”
Rowan blinked. “An old lover?”
I knew he’d be more concerned about that one than the errant god. “Rachel.”
Rowan’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”
“You know her?” I sat up straight, interested in any information he could give me.
To my disappointment, he shook his head. “I’ve only heard of her. And what I heard wasn’t good.”
“Caelan said he has to keep her here five days before he can dump her in a hotel.”
“Mmm. True. But he can make things difficult for her.” He smiled. “And so can you if you’re so inclined.”
I sighed and curled my feet underneath my thighs. “She’s lying about why she’s here.”
“Unsurprising. She’s the spoiled and entitled daughter of one of the European Lords. As far as I know, she’s unmarried.” He said the last word with emphasis, and one of his eyebrows rose.
“Oh,” he said. “You think she’s here scoping out Caelan as marriage material.” His teeth flashed in a grin. “What do you think about that?”
I think I’d like to rip out her spleen through her belly button, but I said, “I think Caelan is old enough to choose who he wants to be with.”
But Rowan was too smart to take my words at face value. “You want to scratch her eyes out, don’t you?”
“He’ll make the right decision,” I said quietly.
“If he doesn’t, he’s a fool,” Rowan answered.
I leaned forward. “What’s in the bag?”
He chuckled and nudged the canvas forward with his foot. “Who says there’s anything inside for you?”
“Because a Lord has lowly peons to carry their bags for them. And the only peon I see here is you.”
Rowan laughed and clutched his heart in mock pain. “Peons aren’t smart enough to bring great presents. Perhaps there’s only dry dirt and worms in there.”
My eyes narrowed. “Depends on the worms. Earthworms or grubs?”
Rowan grinned and picked up the bag. “Let’s see, shall we?”
I scooted my chair closer and peered down into the bag, but it was too dark to see what was inside.
Rowan reached in and pulled out a rolled-up paper towel. “First is a new hybrid of fruit tree I’ve been working on. The blossoms are larger and the fruit a touch sweeter.”
“Oranges?” I guessed.
“Half,” he agreed. “The other is a lemon.” At my look, he laughed. “But it’s not a Meyer. Those are cross bred with mandarins. This one is bred with a clementine.”
Meyer lemons were delicious, but I never thought they were a one-on-one sub for a true lemon. I reached for the cuttings Rowan held out and unrolled them.
“We can plant them tomorrow if you like.”
“Yes, please. I have a few things in the greenhouse for you.”
His expression lit up. “Excellent!”
We chatted for a little while longer. When Rowan’s hot chocolate was finished, he rose and stretched. “It’s getting late. Caelan will get mad if he catches me here past midnight.”
I clicked my tongue. Rowan winked and set his mug down on the small table. “Meet at seven tomorrow?”
“It’s a date. Caelan will be over later, so don’t be surprised.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’ll see him before you do, so I’ll let him know I’ll be here.”
I waved as he walked down the steps. “Be careful going home.”
His eyes glowed golden in the darkness. “I’ll do my best.”
As he disappeared into the forest behind my house, I sighed and picked up our mugs. Tomorrow, I planned to visit my mother to see if she could tell me where Tess was. If she could help, I’d grab the banshee tomorrow and be back in time for Rowan’s visit.
Famous last words.