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Vincent

I t was as if she existed to vex me.

Luna floated down the street toward me.

She may have rid herself of the offending shawl, but her outfit was no less vibrant.

The cropped black sweater might have been fine, but she wore it with the brightest skirt I’d ever seen.

Pinks and purples swirled through the layers.

It was the exact opposite of everything behind me in the store’s window front display.

My brow furrowed as I wondered how intentionally she’d selected this outfit.

Our objective at Fae Fashions today was to purchase her a few pieces that would make her seem more old fae.

It appeared we had a lot of work to do.

Her dark hair fell in untamed waves, and those pieces of silver hair drew me to her bright blue eyes.

I didn’t have to search to see a spark of challenge there.

This was going to be a problem.

“Hey, Vincent.” I was sure she was mocking me as her gaze roamed the store window, her lips curving into a smile .

“Thanks for meeting me,” I said curtly.

My mind was spinning on where to go from here.

Should I even take her into the store?

She smiled in a way that said we both knew why she was here.

After all, we’d struck a bargain, and this was part one in accomplishing it.

“Vincent, are you coming in?” a voice called over my shoulder.

Any chance we had of escaping was gone with my sister’s question.

“We’ll be in momentarily, Skye.”

I turned my icy glare back on Luna.

If we were going in, I wouldn’t let her have this battle with my sister.

“You agreed to this, remember?”

Luna’s gaze met mine, and any warmth was gone.

“I’m here to save my inn, Vincent. We already discussed this. I’ll do what you think is best.”

My gaze narrowed on her skirt.

She followed it, and her fingers smoothed over the bright fabric.

I saw the moment she realized what I was upset about.

Her cheeks pinked in a way that had nothing to do with the brisk breeze.

My wind surged, wanting to rush to her and shelter her from whatever she felt.

“I see.” She swallowed, glancing again between her skirt and the window.

“I’m more than willing to do whatever you think is best. I know it doesn’t look like I’m trying to fit in, but I didn’t consider it before leaving the cottage.”

Asshole.

Table for one.

For the first time, I wished I was Suden fae to burrow into the earth and never be found.

My wind surged in agreement.

Of course she wasn’t mocking me.

She had just been confidently herself upon her arrival.

As I watched her hands nervously tangle in the skirt, I knew I’d taken that from her, and hated myself a little for it.

My wind’s silence on the matter was confirmation enough .

“Right,” I said, with no recovery whatsoever, “let’s get this over with.”

She nodded and followed me into the shop.

Thankfully, we were the only ones at the boutique and had free reign.

Skye smiled at us from behind the counter.

She stepped forward, offering her hand to Luna.

“I’m Skye, Vincent’s sister. It’s wonderful to meet you.”

I winced from my position behind Skye.

Luna’s gaze shifted briefly to mine as she greeted my sister warmly.

“Vincent says you were looking for more traditional old fae outfits.” She gave Luna a brief once over, somehow doing so without judgment.

“Are you alright if we tone this down a bit?” Skye bit her lip as she glanced around the store.

I tried to see it through Luna’s eyes.

The colors were all muted in comparison: browns, whites, grays, and navy blues.

Luna smiled.

“I’ll be happy with whatever you suggest.”

Though I hadn’t thought it fit her style, I’d selected this place because of the sweater she’d worn when I met her.

“You had a piece from here, didn’t you?”

Her head tilted, and then her lip curled into a smirk.

It didn’t quite fit her face.

“That wasn’t mine,” she said.

“Just something I was required to wear to meet with Darius.”

A tempest swirled in my chest as understanding dawned.

Her own father had toned her down to meet with him.

This was a mistake.

I shook my head, wondering if I should call the whole thing off.

The article could focus on the land—on the cliffs and the sea—I could leave her out of it.

Once people got to the inn, they’d fall in love with it.

You’re selling her as old fae to get them there.

“It’s fine.” She waved her hand.

“That sweater was nice. Let’s see what else Skye can find.”

“You only need a few,” I hedged.

“We need you to be seen in a few fae establishments over the coming weeks. You’ll only need to blend for those events. ”

Skye gave me a questioning look.

I’d told her I was bringing a friend who wanted some new clothes.

I hadn’t thought she’d approve of my current deal with Luna.

She’d told me in no uncertain terms how she felt about the other time I’d bargained with my column.

Even though she’d benefited from my last bargain, whether she liked it or not.

Skye and Luna walked around the boutique.

Skye suggested the most unique styles within the more neutral colors.

An off-the-shoulder sweater, a cropped sweater with a draped neck, and my favorite, a long cardigan-like jacket.

I may have bargained to get Skye this job, but she was good at it.

She watched Luna’s reaction to everything she suggested and adapted her recommendations based on what she saw.

My prior bargain with the column may have wounded my pride, but I was glad, at least, Skye got this from it.

The pair moved to the dressing rooms in the back while I took a seat on one of the chairs I assumed was precisely for my use.

Well, maybe not precisely.

Partners, lovers, and friends probably waited in these chairs.

Not whatever I was.

I stewed over that, wondering if Luna and I would ever stop assuming the worst of each other and regain that small slice of intimacy we’d found the night we met.

Unlikely.

I was too far from them to hear their conversation.

There was more giggling than I’d anticipated.

Luna did have that way about her.

Friendly.

Adored anywhere she went.

It had appeared that way at the tavern.

The older gentleman next to me at the bar and the owner had seemed protective of her.

I bet she was the type who always saw the best in people, too.

I bristled.

Except with me, of course.

My wind spun like a top, tilting this way and that as if to say You didn’t deserve it.

Sinking farther in the chair, I folded my arms across my chest.

I was glad Skye was welcomed into Luna’s warmth, at least.

Lost in thought, I didn’t hear anyone approach.

“Vincent, I didn’t know you’d be here.” The voice was one I, unfortunately, knew too well.

My wind was immediately on edge, slicing through me, wrestling to break free.

It would not be a playful wind if it slipped its leash.

“Kristin.” I stood to greet her.

Although she may have played me in our last interaction, there was no need to let her know.

She breezed toward me with no hesitation.

Her long blond hair fell straight down her back, and her outfit, a sophisticated black dress, had her looking like old fae—even though she wasn’t.

Was this really what I wanted Luna to be like?

The thought caught me off guard as Kristin’s hands rested gently on my chest with an ownership I didn’t care for.

She placed featherlight kisses on both of my cheeks.

I wanted to step back, to push her away, to do anything so we didn’t appear quite as familiar, but doing so would only prove she’d affected me.

“You should have told me you were coming in.”

I’d selected this time precisely because Skye had said Kristin wouldn’t be here.

I wondered what had gone wrong.

“What brings you in? Finally here to invite me on one of your secret recommendation tours?” She smiled.

“Or maybe to your family’s solstice party?”

I let my wind cool me from the inside, positive a blush touched my cheeks.

This was the problem with Kristin.

While many had taught me they only valued me for the recommendations, few had reached shamelessly for my column and my family name.

That honor belonged to Kristin only—and I’d been the last to see it.

It had been an.

.

.

unfortunate lesson to learn.

She’d asked me something.

What was it?

Oh, inviting herself to both an Andiveron family event and my work.

I shook my head, feeling foolish that there had been a time where I would have offered her both.

Finding the words for this situation was proving more challenging than I thought.

“Vincent, I think we’re about—” Skye cut off when she noticed Kristin with her hands still resting on my chest.

“Skye, I was telling your brother how naughty he was for not mentioning he’d be here. I hope you were unaware as well.”

The look Skye gave me was apologetic.

Kristin must not have been expected.

I took a step back, freeing myself from Kristin’s touch.

Only then did I realize Luna was standing with Skye, a pile of clothing draped over her arm and a curious look on her face.

How much had she heard?

“It was a happy surprise when Vincent and Luna arrived.” Skye turned fully, taking the heap of clothes from Luna’s arms.

Whatever passed between the two was a mystery to me, but when Skye stepped out of the way with the clothing in her arms, Luna was the picture of old fae, and she smiled…

at me.

This was the first time Kristin took notice of Luna.

Her brow arched in question as Luna, in a black skirt and matching sweater that separated at the back, sauntered toward me.

She held my gaze, something earnest in those bright blue eyes.

Like she was asking for permission?

I had no idea what she wanted, but I must have responded appropriately because she slid into place between Kristin and me.

She looped her arm around me, pulling my hand across to her back.

My hand met exposed skin.

The back of her sweater parted in a daring display.

She might be all old fae fashion from the front, but she’d found a way to remain Luna with the outfit.

Wild wind whipped in my chest.

I didn’t stop it as it blew the hair from her shoulders in an embarrassingly possessive display.

Her brightly painted lips curved into a radiant smile, and she snuggled closer to my chest.

Unsure what was happening, I did what came naturally: I let my fingers slide across her lower back, curl around her waist, and pull her close.

Then I leaned in, taking in her scent.

There was no moonflower and juniper this time; she smelled like a fresh breeze by the sea.

“Vincent…” Kristin’s tone was unamused.

“You haven’t introduced your friend.”

“Oh,” I said with genuine surprise, having completely forgotten Kristin was there.

“This is Luna—” I cut myself off, unsure if Luna wanted to share her surname.

It would come out eventually with the article; there was no way to make the declaration we wanted without making the family connection, but that didn’t mean she had to do it today.

“I’m Luna Pierce.” She held her hand out to Kristin.

Kristin’s jaw flexed at the surname.

She knew the old fae families better than most.

I could only assume she spent her free time searching for an heir to one that she could sink her claws into.

It had worked with me for a while.

When Kristin said nothing, only briefly clutching her hand in a semblance of greeting, Luna glanced back at me.

“We should go, Vincent.”

“Did you get everything you need?”

She shared a look with Skye.

“These will work.”

“Wonderful.” I clapped my hands together, pretending this had gone according to plan.

“I have another stop in mind, and it seems you’re already dressed for the occasion.”

Kristin gave a terse nod and slipped away from us without another word.

Skye handed me the stack of clothing, and her arm slipped into Luna’s, their heads bent together to whisper as they walked to the storefront.

I was loathe to remove my hand from Luna’s back, but clearly, some bond had formed between the women that took precedence over my odd mix of confusion and desire.

“These were perfect, Skye. Thank you,” Luna said.

Skye waved her off.

“I told you it was about blending, not changing. We still found a way to be you.” She giggled as she added, “Vincent seemed to appreciate it.”

Luna flushed, and something swelled in my chest at the sight.

“Thanks for your help back there,” Skye whispered.

It took me a minute to understand Luna’s dismissive wave.

She glanced at me, not quite pity in her gaze, as she replied.

“We’ve all been there. Unfortunately, not everyone is who they seem to be in this city.”

My eyes widened, and Luna smirked.

“Just because I give people the benefit of the doubt”—she paused, giving me a once over—“usually, doesn’t mean I can’t tell when someone is abusing it.”

She and Skye hugged goodbye, and I stood stupefied as Luna strode down the sidewalk, slipping on a new knee-length jacket as she went.

My wind raced to catch up, and her lip tilted in amusement when it reached her.

“Come on, Vincent, we’ve got work to do.”

“I don’t know what you’ve gotten yourself into, Vincent, but I am quite sure you’re not ready for it,” Skye said.

“I like her, though.” She gave me a soft shove that sent me stumbling out of the shop to meet the fate I’d bargained for.