Page 19 of Incurably Cupid (Moonhaven Cove #5)

Chapter 19

Indie

“Love is loyal.”

Cupid Inc. New Recruit Training Manual

A s the evening wound down and Mum and Dad went to check in with Astra and Dieter, Lyrica settled into a seat at our table.

I frowned at her. “I thought I saw you. You tripped me!”

She smiled demurely, but I wasn’t buying it.

“All for a good cause,” she assured me, placing an order with a wandering waiter.

I snorted. “I was already on my way to see him.”

She shrugged, looking completely unrepentant, nodding at the people who were now staring at her because she was glowing and sparkly. “I wanted to be sure.”

Mesmer cleared his throat politely, reminding me that I hadn’t introduced him yet. I nodded at Lyrica. “Mesmer, this is Lyrica, my boss at Cupid Inc. Lyrica, this is Mesmer, my mate—which you somehow already knew.”

Lyrica’s smile was patient and kind. “You match up those with soulmates; I match up cupids.”

I blinked at her. I hadn’t even known that was a thing. “I’ve never heard of a cupid for cupids before.”

She tapped her fingers on the table, glancing around the pub with interest. I got the distinct feeling Lyrica didn’t have many opportunities to leave Devotion and explore the world. Maybe she had in her younger days, before she’d been promoted within Cupid Inc.

“Thank you, Lady Lyrica, for bringing Indie to me,” Mesmer said gravely.

Lyrica nodded, her smile sweet. "It’s lovely to meet you, Mesmer." Then she turned to me, one brow arching. "It took you long enough to realize he’s your mate."

I sat up straighter, ready to defend myself. Mesmer kept a loose but steady hold on my waist. “To be fair, how was I supposed to know he’s my mate? We’re not a species that has mates!”

Mesmer frowned, and I quickly added, "Unless we’re someone else’s mate, I meant."

His brow cleared, and he nodded in understanding.

Lyrica chuckled. “Yes, it surprises many cupids that they sometimes have mates. But that’s just how love works sometimes.”

I leaned forward, putting my elbows on the table. “Does Mordecai have a mate?” I could ask that, right? He was my friend, and I was just looking out for him.

Lyrica smiled knowingly and shook her head at me. Technically, we weren’t supposed to talk about our assignments or their potential matches, but cupids had never really followed that rule. I had a feeling Lyrica would tell me. If for no other reason than so I could tease Mordecai relentlessly—like any good friend would.

“Let me put it this way: she’s someone you’d get along with quite well.”

I gaped, then shut my mouth. Me? I would get along with her? I could infer so many things from that, but I really hoped it meant she was a firecracker, because Mordecai needed someone fearless and capable of outwitting him at every turn. And I admitted, as his friend, that this was sometimes difficult since he was ridiculously clever.

Mesmer chuckled and raised his glass. "To Mordecai’s mate, whoever she is."

I raised my glass too. "May she be fearless—because she’s going to need to be."

“May she be intelligent,” Mesmer added.

“And may she be prettier than he is,” I said, clinking my glass with his.

Lyrica laughed and raised the water glass that had just been delivered to her. “And may she run him in circles until he can’t even see straight.”

“Hear, hear,” we cheered.

After a thoughtful moment, I said quietly, “And may her fierce love begin to heal his broken heart and soul.”

“Hear, hear,” Mesmer and Lyrica murmured.

Later that night, as we exited the taxi, and I helped Mesmer find his seat on his wheelchair, he took my hand, and I kept pace with him and Lance as we made our way to our rooms.

“Last night here at the hotel, and then we can go back to my house in Devotion. You should be strong enough tomorrow.”

“I should be strong enough tonight, but we can wait until tomorrow to be sure.”

I pulled out my key card, opened my door, and turned to him. “Wanna come in for a bit? We can watch a movie or something?”

He smiled. “I might fall asleep, but if you don’t mind that, I’d love to spend more time with you tonight.”

Gah. What did I ever do to deserve someone this sweet?

As a cupid, I wouldn’t have paired myself with someone who had Mesmer’s kindness and thoughtfulness before I met him, but he really did it for me. I was ruined forever because he was just that amazing.

As I stepped aside to let him and Lance in, Mesmer hesitated and glanced at his wheelchair. "Lance, do you want to hang out in our room, or..."

I snorted. I adored that he was trying so hard to figure out what a fae wheelchair would do if given the night off. “It’s not like he’s going to go dancing.”

Lance turned to face us. “I’ll stay here, boss, just in case you need me. And I’ll have you know, Indie, that this fae wheelchair can cut a rug!”

I laughed and patted his seat back. “Best dancing wheelchair on the planet, I’m sure. Have a good night, Lance.”

“Night.”

The moment we walked into my room, I noticed right away that it was freezing. “Stars and hearts, it’s cold in here!” I moved to shut the window I had accidentally left open earlier, but Mesmer held me back with a gentle hand. He was glancing around the room, frowning, and alert.

Oh. Right. Bodyguard.

“I left my window open accidentally earlier. Sorry, my fault.”

He nodded, relaxing slightly. “I’ll check the entire room, just in case. You stay here.” He pointed to my exact spot near the door, his eyes threatening dire consequences if I moved.

I snarkily saluted him, and he smirked at me before checking the room and clearing it. When he finished, I kissed him as a reward for trying to keep me safe, and just because I could. The kiss grew pretty heavy before Mesmer pulled back and kissed my nose, then my forehead, slowing us down and returning to something sweet and unhurried.

I sighed, my eyes and toes practically crossed from the heat of that kiss. “That’s right. You’re a wait-until-marriage person, aren’t you?”

He chuckled. “You say that like it’s a terrible thing. I assure you, we’ll survive.”

I groaned, resting my forehead against his chest. “You’re asking the cupid who has no patience to have patience.”

He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. His warmth seeped into me, and his scent—clean, familiar, undeniably him—wrapped around my senses. “Yes, I am,” he murmured, his voice steady as he tilted my face up to meet his gaze. “You’re worth the wait. We’re worth the wait.”

Something in his tone settled deep in my chest, grounding me. I nodded. We were worth the wait. After all, we’d already waited this long for each other—what were a few more weeks?

Stepping back, I toed off my shoes and rummaged through the dresser, finally finding my pajamas. As I made my way to the bathroom to set them down, I glanced over my shoulder. “But we’re still doing a quick justice-of-the-peace thing, right? Like, tomorrow maybe?”

He was trying to take his shoes off too, but was having difficulty. I hurried over. “Here, sit down before you fall down. I’ll get those off for you.”

He sank onto the bed, his expression a mix of gratitude and affection. “Thank you. Sorry about this. I don’t have full range of motion yet.”

I winked at him. “To have and to hold. In sickness and in health.”

His expression turned pained. “I’m afraid you’ve gotten more of the sickness than the health this past week or two.”

I unlaced his left boot and tried to tug it off. But it wouldn’t budge. With a small huff, I unlaced it enough for it to slide off, then worked on his other one.

“Yeah, but you have to remember—I’ve known you for almost a year now. I think I’ve gotten to know you pretty well during that time.”

Mesmer smirked. “Yes, so have I. All those little conversations you had with yourself? Adorable."

I froze, blinking up at him in confusion. “What?”

He grinned down at me. “You don’t remember? All those times you’d mutter to yourself, making observations out loud because you thought no one was listening?”

I groaned, throwing my head back. “Stars and hearts, I did do that.” With a sigh, I yanked his other boot off, then set them under the table to keep them out of the way. Folding my arms over my chest, I scowled at him. “You know, I may have to kill you now, right?”

He chuckled and held out a hand in surrender. “Please, spare me, oh fearless warrior.” Then, softer, he brushed his lips against my forehead. “Besides, I think that’s part of what made me fall in love with you.”

I pulled back enough to see his expression. “Really?” I found this hard to believe since I’d probably sounded like a grumpy, insane person.

He arched a brow. “Well, it certainly wasn’t because you’re demure, quiet, and obedient.”

I pinched his side, and he laughed. We settled back against the padded headboard, cuddling close.

“I can’t believe I found you," he murmured. "Do you know how rare it is for a gargoyle to find their mate?”

I laid my head against his chest, gazing up at the ceiling. “Really, I found you.” I was quiet for a moment, then asked softly, “Are you sure? She probably would have been wonderful.”

His fingers traced gentle circles on my back before tilting my chin up. He kissed me—slow, lingering, like a promise. “She wouldn’t have been you. You’re the only one I want.”

I nodded, trying not to cry again. This man and what he did to me.

We spent the next hour curled up together, half-watching a movie, his steady heartbeat beneath my ear when there was suddenly a knock at the door.

“You expecting anyone?” I asked, tilting my head back so I could see his face.

Mesmer frowned and shook his head. He gently eased me aside and struggled to his feet. “Stay,” he ordered, moving slowly to the door.

“Arf!”

He huffed a quiet laugh. Shaking his head, he checked the peephole, then pulled the door open.

“Felix,” he said in surprise, “what can we do for you?”

Felix stood in the entryway, his top hat in his hands, looking miserable. “May I come in?”

A prickle of unease ran down my spine. Oh no. Had something happened to Yvette?

“Of course!” I jumped up, waving him inside.

Felix stepped in, his movements tense. He took a seat at our table while Mesmer and I settled back on the bed. Mesmer’s hand found mine, his grip firm.

Felix exhaled heavily. “I’ve come because you helped us, Indie, and I always repay my debts.”

“I didn’t really—” I began, but he lifted a hand, cutting me off with a shake of his head.

“No, you did. Without you and your good parents, we four would still be blindly stumbling along, trying to find love.” His fingers fidgeted with the brim of his hat. “And I needed time —to be sure of my own thoughts and feelings before coming forward.”

Something in his expression shifted, darkened, and my heart dropped.

“I know who’s after the king.”

Mesmer’s posture snapped from relaxed to razor-sharp. “Who?”

Felix hesitated, his knuckles whitening as he clenched his hands. “I debated coming forward because my information is secondhand. But I have contacts. It’s how I’ve kept up with our kind.”

“Vampires?”

He nodded. “The one after the king is old. Charismatic. Powerful. He believed that when King Draven took power, it should have been him.” His laugh was bitter. “They all think that. But this one—he had followers, even then. He’s based in Italy, same country our sire hailed from.”

“Leo’s been tracking the assassin who just targeted the royal family,” Mesmer murmured. “They’re based in Italy.”

Felix nodded grimly. “It’s him. His name is Selio.”

Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating.

“I hesitated because—” Felix swallowed hard. “I knew him. I trusted him once.”

My stomach twisted. “What changed your mind?”

Felix’s smile was faint. “You. Your mum and dad. Mesmer. You see, Selio has been telling anyone who’ll listen that King Draven is ruthless. Depraved.” His hands clenched together. “But then I heard what happened the night Mesmer was shot.”

I stiffened.

“They told me how the king refused to leave for the safe room until Mesmer was in an ambulance. That he knelt, hands bloodied, trying to save him. That he’s gentle with his consort, his friends, his people.” He shook his head. “I knew then—I couldn’t stay silent.”

His next words were whispered, raw. “I loved Selio like a brother.” His gaze lifted to Mesmer. “I’ve known for a long time what kind of man he truly is. I’m just sorry it took me this long to do something about it.”

He slid a piece of paper across the table. I'd bet anything it led to a castle in Italy.

Felix’s expression hardened. “Selio knows the king and consort are on one of Sebastian Solace’s ships. He’s sending a team to kidnap Consort Mia and use her as leverage. He’ll exchange her for the king—then kill him.”

“When?” Mesmer was already shifting, ready to act immediately. I pressed a hand to his arm, grounding him. We needed a plan.

Felix exhaled. “I don’t know. But they plan to take her straight from the ship. And they don’t care who gets in the way.”

Mesmer stood, shaking Felix’s hand. “Thank you. You know the king will want to speak with you?”

“Yes. Yvette and I are ready, should he call.”

I stepped forward, hugging Felix. “You may have just saved their lives.”

Felix swallowed, voice thick. “I only hope it’s not too late.”

As he left, Mesmer and I turned to each other.

“I’ll pack our things,” I said.

He nodded. “I’ll alert the villa and form a team.”

I held up a finger. “About that—I may have an idea…”