Page 20

Reaching the inn, Nathan had barely shifted into park when the back door of the inn burst open with a bang.

Becca flew out like a whirlwind, her dark hair streaming behind her as she raced down the walk. She made a beeline for Remi, who had just gotten out of the car.

"Remi! Oh my goodness, look at you!" Becca launched herself at him, wrapping him in a fierce hug. "You're all grown up now!"

Left in her wake, Jake leaned against the doorway, arms crossed and a broad grin spreading across his face as he watched his fiancée's enthusiastic greeting.

A flush crept up Remi's neck as he returned Becca's hug. "Well, it has been a few hundred years for me since Salem."

"I can't believe you're the same gangly teenager who helped me escape." Becca pulled back, studying his face. "Though you still have that same mischievous spark in your eyes."

Remi ducked his head, running a hand through his spiky black hair. "Some things never change, I suppose." Despite his embarrassment, pleasure radiated from his smile.

"You saved my life back then." Becca squeezed his hands. "I never properly thanked you for that."

Harper watched as Becca grabbed Remi's wrist and tugged him toward the inn's entrance. "Come on, you have to tell me everything. Nathan, Harper, you'll want to hear this too."

Curious about the history between them, Harper followed, exchanging glances with Nathan. Smiling, he reached for her hand, and together they followed the trio into the inn.

As they emerged into the lobby, Angus looked up from behind the front desk, his dark eyes twinkling. "Well, if it isn't young Remi. Though I suppose you're not so young anymore." He smiled, showing those gleaming white teeth. "Had a feeling we hadn't seen the last of you."

Remi's grin spread across his face, transforming his features into that of the mischievous teenager Harper had heard about. "Actually, I was hoping you might have a room available?"

Becca bounced on her toes beside him, practically vibrating with contained energy. Her fingers drummed on the counter as Angus pulled up the reservation system on his computer.

The rhythmic tapping of keys filled the lobby, then the hum of the printer as Angus printed out the form for Remi to sign. Harper leaned against the wooden banister of the main staircase, curious to see how events would unfold.

"Planning to pop in and out at will, I assume?" Angus raised an eyebrow, his dark eyes twinkling with amusement.

Remi's cheeks flushed pink as he scuffed his shoe against the floor. "Yeah, if that's okay?" He glanced up through his spiky black bangs. "Old habits and all that."

"Wouldn't expect anything less from a Djinn." Angus's brows lifted. "Though I trust you'll respect the usual wards?"

"Of course!" Remi straightened, looking almost offended at the suggestion he might not.

Becca had graduated from bouncing to small hops. "Are you almost done with the paperwork? I have so many questions!"

"Geez, give me a minute!" Remi huffed at Becca's enthusiasm, though his eyes sparkled with amusement. He bent over the front desk, scrawling his signature across the forms Angus had presented.

Harper watched as he pulled out his wallet and extracted a sleek black American Express card. Her jaw dropped - those were invitation-only. Even in her years as a financial advisor, she'd only seen one of them. "How did you manage to get one of those?"

A smirk tugged at Remi's lips as he handed the card to Angus. "It's all Talya's fault, actually. Every time I visited Jacinth, she wouldn't leave me alone until I learned about computers and social media." He rolled his eyes, but his fond expression betrayed his true feelings. "She even insisted I get this cell phone."

He pulled an iPhone from his pocket, holding it up like a trophy. The latest model, Harper noted, complete with a sparkly purple case that had to be Talya's influence.

"She said I couldn't keep living in the sixteenth century forever," Remi continued, pocketing the phone. "Though I think she just wanted someone to watch TikTok videos with."

Angus processed the payment, his usual stoic expression cracking slightly with amusement at Remi's transformation from Renaissance era Djinn to modern tech user.

"But what's that got to do with having a black American Express card?" Becca's impatience bubbled over.

Remi assumed a lofty expression, drawing himself up to his full height. "It's called the Centurion Card, actually." His dark eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

Angus cleared his throat, extending a brass key toward Remi. "You're in room 214, second floor." He gestured toward the staircase. "Perhaps you'd all be more comfortable continuing this discussion in the lounge? I've got some paperwork that needs attention."

Becca snatched the key from Angus's hand before Remi could reach for it. "Perfect! Come on, you can tell us everything." She grabbed Remi's wrist again, practically dragging him toward the lounge.

Harper grinned and waved goodbye to Angus with her free hand as Nathan, emulating Becca, pulled her after him. In the lounge, Jake leaned against the fireplace mantel, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement at his fiancee's enthusiasm.

Nathan settled on the sofa, Harper close at his side, his arm about her shoulders, while Becca pulled Jake down beside her on the loveseat.

Remi settled into the plush armchair beside the fireplace, his lanky frame folding into the cushions with casual grace. The hearth lay dormant, unnecessary in the warmth of the summer evening that drifted in through the open windows.

With a casual flick of his wrist, Remi gestured at the coffee table. Five tall glasses materialized, filled with what appeared to be fresh lemonade. Condensation immediately began beading on the frosted glass, and Harper caught the sharp, citrusy scent wafting up from the drinks.

"Show-off," Becca teased, but she reached eagerly for one of the glasses. Taking a sip, her eyes widened. "Oh! This is perfect - exactly how my mother used to make it."

Harper picked up her own glass, the condensation cool against her palm. The first sip was heaven - tart and sweet in perfect balance, with indeed the subtlest hint of mint dancing across her tongue. The icy drink felt wonderful after the stuffiness of the meeting room at the clinic.

Harper watched as Nathan took a sip of his own lemonade, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Oh wow," he breathed, holding the glass up to examine it in the soft light filtering through the windows. "This is better than any lemonade I've ever had."

Reyna stirred in her mind. Magic makes good drinks , she commented, and Harper had to stifle a giggle.

"Why pour when you can conjure?" Remi's dark eyes sparkled with mischief.

Becca leaned forward, her stormy eyes intense. "Okay, enough stalling. Spill it about that fancy black card!"

Remi took another sip of his conjured tea, his dark eyes dancing with amusement. "Well, all that learning about the computer and stuff that Talya insisted on?" He set his glass on the side table. "When I was living in real time and the twentieth century rolled around, and companies like IBM were just getting started..." He spread his hands in an innocent gesture.

"You didn't!" Becca's jaw dropped.

"I did." Remi's grin widened. "IBM was my first investment. Then Microsoft. And Apple, of course. I bought in back in the seventies, when they were just starting out."

Jake whistled low. "That's quite the investment strategy."

Remi shrugged, a faint blush coloring his pale cheeks. "I figured if I had to learn about modern technology, I might as well profit from it. Now I've got enough money to last me the rest of my life." His lips twitched. "And since I'm immortal..."

Harper couldn't contain her snicker. "That's definitely a new type of insider trading I've never encountered in my financial career."

The room erupted in laughter, the sound bouncing off the inn's wooden walls. Even Remi joined in, his earlier self-consciousness melting away.

"I suppose the SEC wouldn't know how to handle time-traveling stock tips," Harper added, wiping tears of mirth from her eyes.

Becca tilted her head, her brow furrowing. "But why are you having to stay here at the inn, Remi? With those kind of resources, you could have bought a house ages ago if you planned to settle here."

Remi wrinkled his nose, setting his glass down with a soft clink. "It's complicated. All that time traveling I did to visit Jacinth here over the last few years?" He ran a hand through his spiky black hair. "I had to be careful not to cross paths with my younger self. One wrong move and..." He waved his hands in the air. "Poof! Time-space continuum goes wonky."

"Wonky?" Nathan raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Well, whatever it's called." Remi grinned, shrugging. "The point is, I couldn't risk settling here permanently until I was absolutely certain all my past visits were done. I had to wait until now, when I knew for sure my younger self wouldn't be popping in unexpectedly."

"That makes sense," Jake nodded. "Time travel seems like it would be a logistical nightmare."

"You have no idea." Remi slouched deeper into his chair. "Try keeping track of centuries worth of visits while making sure you don't accidentally bump into yourself. It's exhausting."

"So now you're finally free to stay?" Becca leaned forward, her stormy eyes bright with eagerness.

"Exactly." Remi's face lit up. "No more tiptoeing around my own timeline. I can finally be a proper part of the community here."

Becca clasped her hands together, her eyes shining. "That's wonderful, Remi! I'm so glad you're finally here to stay."

Jake wrapped an arm around his fiancée's shoulders, his blue eyes warm. "We're thrilled we'll be having you around."

Harper noticed a meaningful glance pass between Jake and Becca, laden with unspoken communication. Becca squeezed Jake's hand, and he gave her a slight nod.

"Actually..." Becca straightened, her stormy eyes fixed on Remi. "Jake and I wanted to ask you something important."

Remi's eyes brightened, his expression curious. "Oh?"

"We'd like you to be godfather to our first child," Jake said, his voice gentle but firm.

Becca's eyes welled with tears. "If it weren't for you bringing me here from Salem, Jake and I would never have found each other. You not only saved me, you changed my whole life that day."

The young Djinn's hands shook as he set down his glass, and he swallowed hard. His dark eyes glistened as he opened and closed his mouth several times, struggling to form words.

"I... I would be honored," he finally managed, his voice rough with emotion. He cleared his throat. "Truly honored."

Becca jumped up and wrapped him in another fierce hug, while Jake watched them both with a broad smile.

A sly grin spread across Remi's face as he pulled back from Becca's embrace. His dark eyes sparkled with mischief. "So... should I be preparing for godfather duties anytime soon?"

Becca's face flamed red as she dropped her head into her hands with a groan. "Remi!"

Jake's rich laughter filled the room as he tugged Becca back down beside him on the loveseat. "No, definitely not yet." He emphasized each word carefully. "That's still somewhere in the future... after the wedding." He stressed the 'after' with raised eyebrows.

"Just checking." Remi's innocent expression fooled no one. "I mean, with all those private history lessons you've been giving her..."

"Those are actual history lessons!" Becca's voice squeaked as she peeked through her fingers, her face still crimson. "I'm still learning about the three hundred years of history that I skipped over."

The clock on the mantel chimed ten, its deep tones echoing through the lounge. Harper glanced at her watch, surprised by how quickly the evening had flown by. Nathan stirred at her side.

"I really need to get home," he said. "I have private lessons tomorrow morning."

Remi stretched and rose from his chair, nodding as he stifled a yawn. "Yeah, I should head up to my room. Five hundred years of time travel catches up with you eventually."

"Sure it's not just old age?" Jake's eyes twinkled as he stood, helping Becca to her feet.

"Watch it, pup." Remi waggled his finger at Jake. "I may look twenty-five, but I can still turn you into a toad."

Becca swatted Jake's arm. "Don't tease him. He might actually do it."

Remi just grinned, a mischievous glint in his dark eyes.

"We're parked out front," Jake said, taking Becca's hand, "so we'll say goodnight here."

Goodnights echoed, and Remi headed up the narrow staircase toward his room, his footsteps fading into the quiet of the inn.

Harper walked out the back door with Nathan their fingers intertwined as crickets chirped in the warm summer night. The moon hung low and full in the sky, casting silvery light across the inn's parking lot. A gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of blooming jasmine from Renee's garden.

Harper leaned into Nathan's warmth as they walked to his car, breathing in his clean, woodsy scent. The summer night air wrapped around them, carrying the sweet perfume of Renee's jasmine on the breeze.

Nathan opened the passenger door for her, and she slid into the familiar comfort of his car. As he started the engine, soft classical music drifted from the speakers.

The drive to her apartment was peaceful, the streets quiet at this hour. Harper watched the streetlights slide past, their golden glow creating patterns across the dashboard. Inside her mind, Reyna curled up contentedly, radiating approval of Nathan's presence.

All too soon, they pulled into the parking lot of her apartment complex. Nathan cut the engine and came around to open her door, offering his hand to help her out. Such an old-fashioned gesture, but it charmed her heart.

They climbed the outdoor stairs to her second-floor apartment, their footsteps echoing in the night stillness. The security lights cast soft shadows across Nathan's features as they reached her door, highlighting the gentle curve of his smile.

Harper fished her keys from her purse, the metal warm from being nestled against her phone all evening. The familiar weight of Nathan's hand rested at the small of her back, steady and reassuring.

He is good mate , Reyna commented drowsily in her mind. Strong. Kind.

Harper couldn't disagree with either observation as she looked up at Nathan, his warm brown eyes soft in the moonlight. He reached up, brushing a strand of her foxy-red hair from her face with gentle fingers.

"Thank you for being here with me through all this," he murmured. "It's a lot to take in - shifters, vampires, demons..." He shook his head, a small smile playing at his lips.

"You're handling it amazingly well," Harper assured him, squeezing his hand. Reyna stirred in her mind, radiating contentment and approval.

Nathan leaned down, pressing his lips to hers in a tender kiss. His hand cupped her cheek, thumb stroking softly across her skin. Harper melted into the kiss, savoring the warmth of his touch and the way her heart fluttered in response.

After a moment, she drew back. "Listen, about tomorrow..."

"The big reveal," Nathan finished for her. "Katerina and Troy's interview. Are you nervous?"

Harper took a deep breath, considering her answer. "A little," she admitted. "It's a huge step for all of us. But I trust Katerina. If anyone can handle this, it's her."

"I'm sure she'll do great," Nathan agreed. "Hey, I was thinking... would you like to come over and we can watch it together? I could make dinner, and we could, you know, offer them moral support from afar."

Harper felt a warm flutter in her chest at the invitation. "That sounds wonderful," she said, unable to keep the smile from her voice. "What time should I come over?"

"How about 6:30? That'll give us plenty of time for dinner, before the talk show at 8."

"Perfect," Harper replied, already looking forward to it. "I'll bring dessert. Any preferences?"

Nathan chuckled. "Surprise me. Just… nothing with coconut."

"No coconut. Got it."

"I should probably head inside," Harper sighed, stifling a yawn. "Tomorrow is going to be… well… regardless, it's going to be kind of stressful."

"Yeah, you're right," Nathan agreed. "Get some sleep, Harper. I'll see you tomorrow evening."

"Goodnight, Nathan," Harper said softly. "Thanks for checking in on me."

"Anytime," Nathan replied, his voice warm. "Sweet dreams, Harper."

"Drive safe," she whispered, watching as he walked away, disappearing into the night.