Page 35 of Chasing Stripes (Enchanted Falls #3)
THIRTY-FIVE
A rtemis knelt to their level, charmed by their enthusiasm. “I don’t live forever, but fae do live a very long time. And yes, I can show you a little magic.”
She cupped her hands together, concentrating on the spark of power that lived in her center. With a whispered word, she opened her palms to reveal a small ball of golden light that danced and twirled above her fingers.
The twins gasped in delight.
“It’s like a fairy!” Lily exclaimed.
“Can I touch it?” Jade reached tentatively forward.
“It won’t hurt you,” Artemis assured her.
Jade’s small finger poked at the light, which shimmered and split into two smaller orbs, one floating to each twin. They giggled in delight as the magical lights danced around them.
Artemis rose, finding Bartek watching her with an expression that made her heart skip. Pride, admiration, and something deeper shimmered in his gaze.
“You’re good with children,” he observed quietly.
“I like their honesty. No pretense, no hidden agendas.”
“Uncle Bartek!” Lily called, her light hovering above her palm. “Look what Artemis made! Isn’t she the best girlfriend ever?”
Bartek’s eyes widened fractionally, a hint of color touching his cheekbones. “She’s not—we’re not?—”
“Don’t break their hearts, son,” Hudson spoke up from the fireplace, his voice a deep rumble similar to Bartek’s. “They’ve been planning your wedding since they heard her name.”
“Dad,” Bartek groaned, the sound so uncharacteristically boyish that Artemis had to stifle a laugh.
“I’m thinking a spring ceremony,” Mimi chimed in with mock seriousness. “Outdoors, with fairy lights in the trees.”
“You need to add pastries,” Gloria nodded thoughtfully. “Lots of Artemis’s pastries. And perhaps a tiger ice sculpture.”
“I hate all of you,” Bartek muttered, but the fondness in his tone belied the words.
Artemis watched the family banter, a warmth spreading through her chest that had nothing to do with magic. This was what she had missed in the city—the easy affection, the sense of belonging, of history shared and future anticipated together.
“Don’t mind them,” Hudson said, materializing beside her with the silent grace all shifters seemed to possess. “They’ve been waiting years to tease him about someone special.”
“I’m not sure I qualify as special,” Artemis demurred.
Hudson’s eyes—so like Bartek’s—studied her with quiet intensity. “My son doesn’t bring people home, Ms. Blu. Not ever. The fact that you’re standing in our living room says more than you realize.”
Before she could formulate a response, Gloria clapped her hands. “Artemis, would you like to help in the kitchen? Mimi and I are just finishing up.”
“I’d love to,” Artemis replied, grateful for the reprieve from Hudson’s knowing gaze.
The kitchen proved to be a warm, inviting space dominated by a massive island and state-of-the-art appliances. Delicious aromas filled the air—roasting meat, herbs, freshly baked bread.
“Tigers are carnivores at heart,” Gloria explained, handing Artemis an apron. “But we’ve evolved to appreciate a more diverse menu.”
“Something my stomach appreciates,” Mimi added, stirring a pot of what smelled like rich gravy. “Though Bartek still prefers his steaks practically mooing.”
“Fae tend toward sweet things,” Gloria said, watching Artemis with interest. “Is that true for you as well?”
“I love sweets, obviously,” Artemis smiled, gesturing to her profession. “But I’m not opposed to a good steak.”
“Perfect answer,” Mimi stage-whispered. “Mom keeps a scorecard for potential mates.”
“I do not!” Gloria protested, then relented under her daughter’s knowing look. “Fine, but it’s more of a general compatibility assessment.”
Artemis laughed, finding herself relaxing despite the scrutiny. “And how am I scoring so far?”
“Let’s just say you’ve already outpaced the competition.” Gloria handed her a bowl of salad to toss. “Not that there’s been much competition. My son is married to his responsibilities.”
“The pride and the business,” Mimi explained. “Classic alpha workaholic syndrome.”
“Until recently,” Gloria added meaningfully.
“Has he shown you his protective stance yet?” Mimi changed the subject, setting down her spoon to demonstrate an exaggerated wide-legged posture with arms crossed, brow furrowed in mock seriousness. “The ‘I’m the alpha and I’m brooding’ pose?”
Gloria chuckled, stirring a fragrant stew. “He’s been perfecting it since he was twelve. He once stood like that for three hours when a rabbit got too close to his cousin’s birthday cake.”
Artemis laughed, feeling the last of her tension dissolve. “I can picture that perfectly.”
“He takes everything so seriously,” Mimi sighed. “Always has. When our parents were grooming him to take over as alpha, the other kids would be playing, and there was Bartek, studying pride history or practicing formal challenges.”
“Someone had to” came Bartek’s voice from the doorway. He leaned against the frame, arms crossed in an unconscious echo of Mimi’s imitation. “Uncle Ellis wasn’t going to teach you proper hunting techniques.”
“Because I was seven and more interested in tea parties than stalking prey,” Mimi retorted.
“Are they torturing you with stories already?” Bartek asked, moving instinctively to Artemis’s side.
“Absolutely,” she confirmed with a grin. “I’m learning so much.”
“Wonderful.” His tone was dry, but his eyes crinkled at the corners. He reached past her for a slice of carrot, his arm brushing hers. The brief contact sent a shower of sparks cascading from her fingertips, illuminating the salad bowl.
“Oops,” Artemis murmured, quickly extinguishing the magic.
“Pretty,” Gloria remarked, eyes twinkling. “Bartek, be a dear and get the good wine from the cellar. The one we’ve been saving.”
“For what occasion, exactly?” Bartek asked suspiciously.
“For meeting your match, of course,” Gloria replied innocently. “Now shoo. We’re having girl talk.”
Bartek rolled his eyes but complied, pausing only to brush his fingers against Artemis’s elbow in a touch so brief she might have imagined it, had the handprints not flared in response.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Gloria leaned in conspiratorially. “Now, tell us everything about yourself that my spy network hasn’t already uncovered.”