Page 17

17

Luna

W e walked hand in hand the few blocks to my chosen establishment.

I’d considered Parkview Tavern, but everyone knew me there.

I wanted somewhere where we’d both be strangers.

His wind wrapped around my foot with each step I took, creating a gentle layer between it and the ground.

It acted to propel me forward without putting any weight on the cut.

I gave him a heavy dose of side-eye, and this time, he shrugged.

It was as much an acknowledgment as any that he and his wind were aligned in this.

The night was dark; a new moon hung above us, and I found I missed its glow.

Companionable silence lingered between us as I opened the door to Elemental Tavern and ushered him inside.

He glanced around, taking in the boisterous atmosphere that was unlike anything we’d been to together.

This place was.

.

.

loud but alive.

It was somewhere I liked to go to disappear.

There was always music, and the later it got, the more entertaining the patrons.

This was one of the only taverns in Sandrin that didn’t prohibit the use of magic.

Fae flocked to it for that reason.

It was easy for fae magic to get out of hand while they were drinking.

Yet, even as a non-magic user, I felt safe here.

The rules were clear: all magic that bumped into other guests must be consensual.

Once I’d realized that the rules were enforced, I’d come often to see the fae with their magic.

They were at their least pretentious here, no matter what court or family they belonged to.

Everyone seemed like they were here to have fun, to let loose.

A part of me liked being around the magic without the weight of someone’s disappointment that I didn’t have any.

“What is this place?” Vincent asked.

“It’s a magic tavern.” I wasn’t surprised he wasn’t familiar with it.

I didn’t think many of those from old fae families came here; at least, I’d not seen any I recognized.

This place was for the fae who didn’t come from high society—those who worked in the city like the humans.

“They’re allowed to use magic?” He sniffed the air.

Fae had an excellent sense of smell regarding other magic being wielded, even magic outside their element.

The scent signatures of each wielder’s magic were unique.

“They are,” I said.

“They won’t use it on you without your consent.”

His gaze followed a couple across the tavern.

A woman, human by the looks of it, was being lifted in the air, her partner rushing toward her even though his magic held her in place.

She squealed in delight as the magic dropped her, but he caught her in his arms.

“That’s a little much for a tavern,” Vincent said as we found seats at the bar.

We ordered drinks that were magically delivered to us moments later.

The bartender must be wind fae, too.

Vincent sipped his drink as if trying to adjust to our new surroundings.

“Isn’t that something that should be done…in pr ivate?” His gaze found another couple.

I could only assume the wielder was of the Norden Court; the female with magic kept turning her partner’s drink to solid ice and then back.

They both giggled every time she did so.

I laughed as his wind swept through my hair.

“I’m not sure you’re in a position to judge.” His fingers tightened around his drink glass, and his wind retreated.

“Some displays are more suggestive than others,” I said.

“The later we stay, the more the scales tip in the risqué direction.” I took a sip of my drink.

Maybe I hadn’t thought this through.

I’d thought his wind would like it, but somehow, this place had brought forth his propriety.

His wind rushed along my skin, wrapping around me with more than a bit of possessiveness, consuming me in a way Vincent’s sensibilities didn’t seem to allow.

When I looked at him in question, he was glaring at a male on the other side of me.

The fae looked me over appreciatively but seemed to smell Vincent’s magic in the air.

He raised his hands in surrender, returning to his drink.

“Seems like you fit in here fine.” I smirked.

He looked a little flustered as he pulled his wind back to him.

“Is magic still such a private thing for you? If you left Andiveron House to be able to use it as you please, I thought you’d like it here.”

He tilted his head from side to side as he took another sip.

“As I said at the apartment, my magic has been free around you.”

My body warmed.

I wasn’t sure whether it was from the sip of spirits or his words.

“It’s not usually so bad. Letting it assist me with everyday tasks has been enough.”

“ Not so bad doesn’t sound like a satisfying way to live.”

He smirked, running his fingers through his hair.

It reminded me fleetingly that I’d done the same at Timeless Classics before the food was served.

I wanted to do it again .

“I may have left Andiveron House, but I haven’t rid myself of everything I was raised to be,” he said.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not as free as you are.”

I laughed loudly.

“Obviously.”

He leaned forward.

“No one knows I’ve split with my family. So, I keep up appearances in public. Again, I’m sure that sounds ridiculous to you, since my wind tries to sweep you away at every opportunity, but…” He shrugged.

“I don’t think you’re out here lying to my face, Vincent. If I thought you were that kind of fae, I wouldn’t have even made the bargain, no matter how much I like your column.”

He grinned at that.

“While I may use magic for everyday tasks, using it for something like this is…different. I’m never sure how someone will react if they see me acting differently than what’s expected.”

His wind was in my hair, and from the glint in his eyes, I knew it was no mistake.

It hadn’t slipped free.

“This seems like something unexpected.” I gestured to my hair.

“Well, you brought me here. You only have yourself to blame.” He seemed so focused on me that the rest of the tavern fell away.

“As you say, I’ll let you determine what kind of male I am. You seem more than capable.”

I wanted to reach across the space between us and put my hand on his cheek.

I wanted to press my lips to his.

I wanted so many things that couldn’t be because we’d chosen this path.

We still had weeks yet before Long Night.

I still hadn’t tried to get Darius to invite me to Pierce House.

I wasn’t even sure one invite would be enough.

What if we didn’t find anything?

I couldn’t wait until the last second, either; I needed Vincent to publish his article before Long Night if I was going to fill the inn in time.

Tomorrow.

I resolved to send a message to Darius tomorrow.

I’d update him on my progress.

Maybe if he met with me somewhere neutral first, he would agree to a meal at the house for me to present my long-term plans for the inn.

That could work.

Vincent stared at me.

I’d been lost in thought for too long.

“Did you say something?” I asked.

He shook his head.

“I think you might be breaking our bargain.”

My face fell.

How could he know that?

I was going to do everything I could.

I hadn’t failed yet.

“Not that one.” His hand rested on mine, concern in his brown eyes.

“You promised me at the apartment that we wouldn’t think about the column, your father, or our bargain on this adventure. I don’t think you’re holding up your end.”

My smile was tentative, and I turned on the stool to face him.

As I did, his gaze slid down my body with appreciation.

The look was far different from the one he’d given my colorful shawl.

This look had me reaching for the empty drink glass, anything to steady myself.

I wondered if he found me more attractive in these old fae styles.

No matter how carefully his sister had selected the pieces, they still weren’t quite me.

As much as I pretended I was fine with our approach, with appealing to the fae of Sandrin, I couldn’t say I enjoyed the idea that he might want to change me.

I was comfortable in my skin, even though my skin was somewhere in between fae and human.

When Mom had passed, I’d found friends who accepted me for who I was.

I’d decided I didn’t need to be accepted by everyone; a few who cared for me would be enough.

I was changing that with this plan.

I told myself it was temporary, a plan to save the inn that would keep it mine past Long Night.

If I didn’t do this, I’d have to find a new home.

The memories of Mom that I’d carefully tucked away across the property would be lost to whatever new establishment Darius sold to.

I didn’t want that to happen—apparently, more than I didn’t want to change myself to get customers.

Vincent’s gaze met mine and held.

He leaned in, and something jolted through my body.

His lips were at my ear.

To the rest of the bar, it might look like he was leaning in to be heard above the music.

We hadn’t been this close since I’d pretended to be his lover at the boutique.

“It looks like you require assistance freeing your mind,” he said.

I tilted my head, unsure what he meant, though I knew he was correct.

My mind was still spinning over everything I had to do.

Over every way he and I didn’t fit together because of the separate worlds from which we came.

I’d learned tonight that we weren’t as far apart as I thought, both from old fae families but not living on the estate.

I wasn’t sure that left us anywhere helpful, though.

He still didn’t seem to appreciate things that broke the mold.

And no matter how much he seemed to sincerely enjoy my company, I wouldn’t change for him.

“Excuse me, miss,” a voice asked over my shoulder, “would you care to dance?”

I turned to look at the fae in question.

Water circled his hand, showing he intended to use his element if I said yes.

He was tall, with long blond hair knotted at the base of his neck.

A quick glance around the room told me the hour was later than I’d realized.

Vincent had fended off the first suitor, but plenty more fae were looking to show off their magic.

It appeared that Vincent and I were almost the only two in the tavern not locked in some magic display.

No wonder this male had felt bold enough to approach.

I opened my mouth to turn him down.

“Apologies, sir,” Vincent cut in.

“I was about to request a dance myself.”

I gave the Norden a halfhearted smile, wishing him the best, and turned to look at Vincent.

I was sure he’d only said that to get the fae to back off, but when I met his gaze, he was already standing, draping his coat on the barstool.

Unsure about everything, I couldn’t shake free from the part of me that wanted to know what Vincent’s wind would feel like under his control.

I was sure I’d regret this, but I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity.

Taking Vincent’s offered hand, I let him lead me to the dance floor.