Page 40

A fter starting a pot of coffee, Elle gathered items for breakfast, including pancake mix.

She planned enough for a houseful, assuming they would have company soon.

She and Tony hadn’t talked about Elle getting a job, but since she couldn’t read or write as well as most, she didn’t know what she would be able to do for work.

Tony had money, so maybe he wouldn’t mind her staying home and learning.

She had yet to meet Luna’s sister, the one who made potions.

That was something Elle would be good at, but Solara wasn’t in Atlanta often.

By the time Tony made it to the kitchen, the coffee was ready, so she fixed him a cup the way he liked it and held it out. He wedged the phone between his ear and shoulder, took the mug with one hand, and tapped her nose with the other. It was a sweet gesture, if odd.

“Please put Dad on the phone,” he said before taking a sip.

“I know you’re capable of thinking for yourself, woman.

Just...” Tony closed his eyes, and Elle turned away so he wouldn’t see her laughing.

Tessa was a force, so Elle didn’t know why he was arguing with her.

“It’s already going to be six to one.” Tony set the phone on the counter and pressed the speaker button.

“And like I told you, I want my pound of flesh. Nobody harms one of my kids and gets away with it.”

“He tried and failed to hurt me.”

“I’m talking about Elle. Her dad can’t be there, so I’m stepping in. End of story.”

Elle ducked her head as her eyes burned. Having a mother’s fierce love was something she’d missed out on for many years. She reached out and placed a hand on Tony’s arm.

“I would like her to be there.”

Tony’s eyes softened. “Okay. We appreciate it.”

“You— what?”

“I said we appreciate it. We’ll want to do this soon.”

“Your father booked our flights as soon as Carleigh called. We’re pulling into the airport now. We’ll see you both in a few hours.”

Elle cleared her throat. “Thank you, Tessa.”

“You’re most welcome, Elle.” With that, the redhead disconnected.

“I think Tessa needs this,” Elle said, releasing Tony’s arm and returning to the pancake batter.

“What makes you say that?”

“You did. You’ve mentioned more than once about how much she thrives on adventure. I’m sure raising a small child gives her some excitement, but you are also her child, no matter how old you are, and she wants you to know she’s still there for you, and now me.”

Someone knocked twice before opening the front door.

“Good morning,” Carleigh said, entering the house with a black bag hanging from one shoulder.

She kept walking until she reached the kitchen and placed it on the table.

“Harlow should be here soon. Luna has a meeting with a client, then Lilly is watching Solaralun so Luna can join us.”

Elle retrieved the griddle from a lower cabinet. “I’m glad Luna’s coming. I want to talk to her about something.” After plugging the appliance in, she admitted, “I can’t get a regular job, but I would love to... what is it called when you work for free while learning?”

“Interning. You want to intern with the witches?” Tony replied.

“I have knowledge of potions. I would love to learn more, especially since there are an abundance of plants and herbs here that I didn’t have access to in Evyndral. You have your job, Nekoma has his furniture building hobby, so I want something of my own.”

Tony filled an empty cup and handed it to Carleigh before refilling his own. “I think that’s an excellent idea, Sweetheart.”

“Me too. On the days Tony can’t drive you into the city, I’ll be happy to take you, unless you want to drive yourself,” Carleigh offered.

“If it’s not out of the way, I would appreciate that. I don’t mind driving on backroads, but the city is hard to navigate.”

Carleigh snorted. “You mean you don’t like all the one-way streets that have the same name?

Ridiculous.” After setting up her laptop and plugging it into a small, black box, Carleigh sat down and began typing.

Her fingers flew across the keyboard. “And no, it’s not out of the way.

I’m one of the weird ones who still lives with their parents, and our house isn’t far from here.

I spend most of my time at the office, so I don’t see the need to buy a house when I’ll rarely be there.

My sister, Juniper, still lives there too, but that’s because she’s a momma’s girl. ”

Tony choked on his coffee, sputtering. He grabbed a paper towel, wiping his mouth. “Pot, kettle.”

Elle had no idea what they were talking about, but her mate explained, “Carleigh is a daddy’s girl, meaning they are two peas in a pod.

The same way Carleigh and Julian bonded over computers, Juniper and their mother, Kat, bonded over photography.

Juniper travels the world taking photographs of wild animals, often in Africa. ”

“And my parents usually go with her, so I have the house to myself more often than not.” Carleigh stopped typing and looked across the room. “Harlow’s here.”

Elle wished she had shifter hearing. Sure enough, a car door slammed less than a minute later, and soon after, the front door opened, and Harlow strode through, also carrying a case.

She greeted them as she unloaded her own laptop, sitting next to Carleigh.

Tony poured her coffee and placed it next to the computer.

Harlow took a sip and let out an ahh. “Zuri said to tell you hello. She’s off to Brazil.”

“Scouting another showing for Connor?” Tony asked. Alyssa had told Elle about meeting Connor’s assistant for the first time. According to Alyssa, Zuri was also a pilot. Elle admired the females of Tony’s Clan who were brave enough to learn things like flying a plane.

“Nah, visiting her grandmother. She goes this time of year because she hates the cold, and it’s a nice, balmy eighty down there.” Harlow angled her head to the side, her eyes narrowed. “Where’s Nekoma?”

“He went to see his mother. He’ll be back later today,” Tony explained as he grabbed plates, silverware, and three kinds of syrup. Maple was Elle’s favorite.

“So, who all is coming for the festivities? Harlow asked.

Tony took a piece of bacon from the plate Elle had stacked the slices on to drain. “My parents are flying in. I’m not sure about the Norway collective. Thran and Yari said they would be here for Elle, but I don’t know if they’re bringing the dragons or not.”

Carleigh stopped typing again. “What about Tabitha?”

“She’s sequestered at the hotel. A crazed man got too close to Craig Kilbrook with a knife, and even though the guy was arrested, he was shouting ‘this isn’t over,’ so the production company wants the cast and crew to lie low for a few days.”

“I bet she’s pissed,” Harlow said.

“That’s putting it mildly. She missed out on the West Virginia showdown too.”

Harlow plugged a cord into the side of her laptop, then inserted the other end into the small black box. “Do you have a plan yet as to how you’re taking him down?”

Elle removed the first batch of pancakes from the griddle and placed them on the table next to a bowl of blueberries and cut-up strawberries.

“Nekoma is opening a portal in the woods. He and I can call on the shadows to hide us. I’m thinking we lure Grevolus outside somehow, then Nekoma and I can take him down. ”

Carleigh pushed her laptop to the side so she could fill her plate. “But how? Not being an asshole; I’m seriously asking how you plan to do it.”

“We haven’t made it that far into the discussion. I guess when he gets back from Evyndral, we’ll talk about it.”

After making sure everyone had enough, Elle fixed her plate and sat down.

Tony handed her the maple syrup, which she used liberally before adding blueberries on top.

The females stopped working long enough to eat, and when they were finished, Harlow grabbed both plates and took them to the dishwasher.

Elle would get them back out later. No need in wasting water when a little bit of magic did the trick.

She didn’t know what they were working on, but it amazed her how they could type and talk at the same time.

While Tony told them about seeing the GIA agent the night before at the restaurant, Elle slipped upstairs for a quick shower.

Afterward, she dressed in new jeans and a sweater, then slipped into her boots, grabbed a light jacket, and headed outside.

Georgia weather was weird. One day it was freezing, and the next, mild.

She walked down to the glider, which was still by the firepit.

Elle sat, then closed her eyes, listening to the birds chirping.

With all the different songs, she couldn’t begin to imagine how many types there were.

She had missed this. Being outside with no care in the world.

Before Winterhaven, Elle spent most of her time enjoying the gentle breezes, the birds calling out, Novus’s presence, just being free to breathe.

When she wasn’t practicing with her bow, she foraged for plants and herbs.

She tended the garden. She ran barefoot through the tall grass.

At night, she lay on a quilt and enjoyed the twin moons when they appeared as if they would collide as the convergence neared.

Elle was grateful for the chance to enjoy herself once more.

Fourteen years was but a blip in the span of a fae’s life, but they had been a rough fourteen.

The back door opened, and Elle didn’t have to look to know it was her mate. Tony’s essence was tied to Elle’s. He slid his hand around the back of her neck, rubbing his thumb across her pulse. They enjoyed the peacefulness for several minutes before he said, “I have something for you.”

That had her looking over her shoulder. “What is it?”