Page 19 of Magic in His Arms

“I believe so.There was someone who had engine trouble on the highway, so I am having a better day than they are.”She looked at the menu and smiled.

“I am glad for it.So, how long did you stay at the party?”

“I left around five.The dancers who stayed were playing with the rest of the guests, and it was a lot of fun.When did you leave?”

“Around three.I had business matters to attend to.”He sipped at his tea.“You didn’t notice?”

“I was busy keeping the girls from being lured away by the dark elves, the XIA, and the other men that were there.It kept me busy.”

“Four young women.You did very well with them.”

She smiled.“Thank you.”

She looked at the server and ordered a tea tray for two and decaf Earl Grey.

Wymol ordered two trays for himself and more tea.“So, avoiding decaf?”

“In tea.I still have three cups of coffee today.I am down from six.”

He chuckled.“I see.Pacing yourself.”

“Well, I need what I need.”She shrugged.She looked at him, and in daylight, he was a midnight blue elf with the glowing white eyes.“Are you using a glamour or something?”

He chuckled.“I am.The blue is a tan, and the suit is a suit.The eyes are behind lenses.”

“Funny, to me, you look like a blue elf in a suit.”

He grinned.“Because I am.”

“Very formal for Sunday tea.”

“Well, I haven’t had it before, so I dressed for anything.”

“Anything?”

“This feels suitable for negotiations.”

Elida smiled.“Oh, it is.What are we negotiating?”

“My place, your life, and that of our child.”

“Ah.That.”

The tea arrived, and she poured a cup for herself before the towers of sandwiches and pastries were set on their table.She chuckled and took a sandwich.“I don’t know.I just thought you could visit when you are in town.”

He paused.“But you didn’t know who I was.”

“No, but if this child is anything like me, it will call its own blood the moment it shows up.You would know.”

He smiled.“Fair answer.You didn’t try to get the information from Amori?”

“Oh, I did.But for a woman claiming what I was claiming, he felt that my intentions weren’t honourable, so he told me to find another sucker.”

She shrugged.“So, my last daughter was an adult, and it was time for me to go home.So, now I am home, and my child will call this home.”

“Why was that a necessary criterion?”

“Oh, a friend is a seer of sorts, and she told me I needed to raise my daughters away from Redbird, or the traffickers would find them again.I didn’t want to put them through that sort of stress, so I left.Fortunately, I had the resources to settle us in Arutrus.Plenty of sunlight and great schools.Most of the girls have gone through undergraduate studies, and Miika has joined the XIA.We were all very proud when she made it through the entrance exams.”