Page 207 of Cursed Evermore

“Um...” She pretended to think and even tapped the side of her head. “Wear a dress he can't take his eyes off to the celebration next week, then kiss him in front ofeveryone.”

I gasped and giggled. “No way. You'd bethatbrave?”

“I'm done waiting, Elariya. At this rate, I'll be an old maid before he does anything. I have a bucket list, and kissing him before the summer equinox is number one on the list.”

“Then go for it.” Listen to me speak. I sounded as if I had so much experience with men. I didn't, but I knew what felt right.

“I can't wait to see the look on his face.”

We giggled as if neither of us had a care in the world. The laughter danced between us until it faded slowly, leaving the quiet again and a sacred stillness that invited things unspoken to rise to the surface.

“Thank you for today, Arielle,” I said softly. “I had such a great time. I'm so glad we got to spend the day together.”

Arielle's expression turned gentle. “So am I.”

“I think I needed today,” I murmured. “More than I realized.”

“I know,” Arielle said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “And it's just the beginning. I know we have a lot to deal with and the next new moon is upon us, but just know that you have people here who care about you, too.”

I nodded, believing her. “Thank you. That means so much to me.”

She grinned and picked up a radiant blue candle. “We should each burn this tonight. It's for patience and forbearance. We'll need it for our Fae men.”

We laughed again and continued admiring our candle collection.

The rest of the journey passed in a blur of soft conversation and shared wonder. In no time at all, the elk were skipping across the sea and we were back at Vyrenth Hollow.

Night had fallen on our way, turning the sky into an endless canvas of deep indigo with clusters of silver stars splashed across it.

When the carriage pulled to a stop, Garrick appeared and opened the door for us.

“You two look happy.” He observed us with a gentle smirk. “I'm guessing you had a great day.”

“The best ever,” Arielle replied as we stepped out.

“With no excessive drinking,” I added, alluding to yesterday.

Garrick chuckled. “That's good to hear. I felt guilty for setting you on that path to destruction.”

“It wasn't your fault. Mine entirely.”

“At least it was funny for the most part.”

As the three of us walked up the path to the wide stone steps, Arielle started telling Garrick about the exciting things we did with our day.

More fireworks glittered in the distance, illuminating the sky in a shower of diamonds, then each sparkle transformed into a constellation of brightly colored flowers.

I stopped to look at it, and the others slowed, too.

“It's so beautiful,” I said to them. “I've never seen fireworks like these.”

“The night is just beginning.” Garrick grinned. “I could take you to the festival if you're not too tired.”

“Iwill take her,” a deep voice answered across from us, and Wolfe stepped out of the darkness as if he'd been carved from it. His dark hair caught the faint starlight, and his eyes held that familiar intensity that made my breath catch.

His piercing eyes found mine immediately, and the world felt like it was spinning away from me.

He walked toward us, and I glimpsed Arielle smiling and nodding at me, silently telling me to go with him.