Chapter 18 #2
A few minutes later he was gone. I sank into my seat and closed my eyes.
Every time he left, my heart gained a new crack.
Few relationships were easy. They weren’t meant to be.
There were always kinks to work out and quirks to either accept or walk away from.
Whatever this was between us was a whole lot more than smoothing out some edges.
Starting today, though, I had to think about myself.
I cared about Ethan, but this was his trauma to work through, and I couldn’t let him keep hurting me while he tried to figure things out.
The next time he knocked, I wouldn’t let him inside.
Keeping him at arm’s length was the only way I could get over him.
Once I finished my tea and got dressed, I went into my spell room and dug through my potion supply, making a mental note to refresh all my materials the second I had extra time. The last thing I needed was to run out of something important right when I was in a pinch.
I tucked two of the ever popular travel potions inside my oversized purse, careful to wrap them in soft cloth and a protective case first. Nothing else stood out to me, so I took a quick look at my herb supply and jotted down a few things to purchase in town when I got back.
Snacks were second on the list. I tossed a plastic baggie of Evie’s famous granola and some of Rowan’s experimental jerky inside the bag. Rowan was hit or miss in the kitchen, and I hadn’t yet tried the jerky.
But it was jerky. Was it possible to screw up dried-within-an-inch-of-its-life meat? I’d find out in a little while, I guess.
Once I had all my supplies, I headed out the door only to see Cernunnos sitting in one of my patio chairs.
He was sipping something steaming from one of Evie’s favorite ceramic mugs. “Heading out?” he asked.
I stopped and blinked. “Uh. You could have knocked?”
“Didn’t want to interrupt. Need a ride?”
“You hate transporting people. In fact, I’m pretty sure you retired from it because, and I quote, ‘you assholes need to learn how to drive.’ Or something like that.”
A faint smile touched his lips. “Evie is finally comfortable with her skills in that department. She can tote her shifters among all the realms if she wishes now.”
“And you’re freelancing?” He was making me suspicious. The god had saved our asses a few times and been pretty helpful over the past couple of years, but Cernunnos always had an ace up his sleeve.
“Something like that.” He jerked his head. “I know you have potions in your purse, but why waste them? Tell me where you’re going and I’ll be happy to escort you.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Why?”
He laughed and spread his hands out. “What answer would please you? Because I am curious? Because I have an agenda?”
“The truth would be nice.” The fae played fast and loose with the truth, but someone like him had a way of mixing it with lies so well it might ruin your life if you took anything he said at face value.
“What can I say? I’m immortal and you are interesting.”
Alright. Maybe too much truth was a bad thing sometimes.
He chuckled at my sour expression but set his mug down and stood, his face sobering. “I know where you’re going today. If anything, you will save two of those precious potions and have a god as backup in case things go awry.”
Ethan would give me so much shit if he knew I turned him down only to say yes to Cernunnos less than an hour later.
“If you’re good, I’ll take you to visit Ember.”
“Dammit.” Who could resist an adorable fox? “Fine. Let me put this back inside the house. Are you ready to go?”
He rolled his eyes. “I’ll wait for you here. Don’t be too long.”
I kept the snacks and put the potions back. He was waiting for me in the yard, staring up at the dormitories. Even knowing who he was, Rowan’s shifters weren’t quite comfortable with his presence on their land. Few spoke to him unless they had to, but Declan spotted him and was making his way over.
I was too far away to hear what they spoke about, but whatever Declan said was brief and made Cernunnos smile. They shook hands and parted ways just as I came upon them. Declan nodded, eyes twinkling with amusement. “Safe travels. Want me to tell Evie you’re leaving?”
He didn’t add “with Evie’s dad,” but we both knew he was thinking it. “If you want to. I’ll text her later, though.”
I had to text the shop employees and let them know I’d be out today but in tomorrow. My help wasn’t quite up to the quality Evie had when she first got involved with the Lords. Mine weren’t quite family, nor was I sure they’d ever get there.
Declan nodded and turned to walk away. Cernunnos nodded at the Second’s back. “I like him. He is powerful but secure in who he is. Rowan will never have to worry about a challenge with him.”
Declan and I weren’t friends, but I liked him. “I’d be more scared of Evie than Rowan.”
Cernunnos grinned. “True. Her selection of mates was surprisingly gentle.”
He held out his hand. “Where are we going, gods-touched?”
I held the image in my mind and took his hand. His palm was rough and calloused and warmer than a shifter’s, a fact I’d never noticed before. “Not too close. I don’t want to risk her seeing me.”
“Keep your eyes closed and do not let go.”
In a sickening lurch, we were off.