Page 30 of Making Out With Mermaids (Haven Ever After #6)

CHAPTER ONE - CATHERINE

“A nnabelle,” I admonish as the black cat kitchen timer swivels on its base and meows at me. The countertop ripples, slinging the salt shaker toward the pan of vegetables I just started sauteeing. Rolling my eyes upward, I chuckle as the inn’s ceiling tiles ripple playfully, clacking like piano keys.

“No more salt.” I grab the shaker and shove it in the cabinet above the stove. “Guests can add it as needed, but there’s no need for us to go salt crazy.”

The cat timer spins to face away from me as the ceiling tiles still, the kitchen going utterly silent except for the sound of the vegetables in the pan.

“Don’t be irritated, my love.” Reaching out, I rub the tiles behind the stovetop.

One of the kitchen windows opens and slams angrily shut.

Sighing, I open the cabinet, withdraw the salt, and toss a dash on the vegetables.

For whatever reason, my home has a very strong preference on salt content and this is not the hill I want to die on today. Last time I disagreed with her about salting the breakfast foods, she locked my bedroom door for twenty minutes until I apologized profusely.

It’s funny what topics Annabelle feels strongly about. She and I are usually in lock step about everything , but occasionally she surprises me in her preferences.

The salt, for instance.

And her refusal to let me touch up the white paint on her shutters.

The tiny cat timer executes a darling series of flips along the countertop, popping onto the back of the stove, its kitty features curling into a smile.

We fall into an easy silence as I finish the vegetables for the breakfast buffet. All of our rooms are full but one, and I’m expecting a guest any mo?—

The ding of a bell echoes down the hallway, interrupting my thoughts. Annabelle ripples the backsplash tile to warn me that there’s someone up front. I laugh and stroke the tile again.

“Thank you, my darling.”

The cat timer meows as the front bell dings a second time.

Leaving the kitchen, I hurry along the skinny hallway to find a handsome young pixie male standing in the inn’s front entryway. He holds a suitcase in one hand, a long garment draped over his other forearm. Translucent blue wings flutter lightly at his back, the tips of his pointed ears twitching slightly.

“Welcome to the Annabelle Inn.” I slide behind the tall wooden check in desk and smile. “You must be Gilbert Sintjan?”

His blue lips pull into a half smile. “That’s me. I presume you’re Catherine, the Annabelle Inn’s famous proprietress?”

I laugh. “I do believe you made up that word, Gilbert, but yes, that’s me.”

The edges of his lips turn down. “You don’t happen to still have breakfast available, do you? I had heard the Galloping Green Bean diner makes a to die for burger, and I was actually going to have that for breakfast, but they were quite busy.”

When I give him a surprised look, he laughs.

“I know, it’s weird. I don’t like breakfast food. But anyhow, the line was out the door and the very terse centaur hostess told me in no uncertain terms that it would be two hours at least before she could seat me.”

I sigh, shooting him an understanding look. “Alba is direct on the best of days but you’re right that the burger is absolutely fantastic there. You’re in luck, though, I was just about to replenish the breakfast buffet. It runs from eight to ten a.m. each morning except on the weekends.”

He winks. “You don’t happen to have burgers though, do you?”

We laugh together as I shake my head. “No burgers, but I was just sauteing vegetables and there’s plenty of variety. I’m so busy these days it’s easier to justify a wide selection of offerings.” I return his wink. “And don’t worry, it’s not all traditional breakfast food.”

I take Gilbert’s credit card and hand him a key for his room—the mermaid themed room upstairs. We head for the second floor where I drop him off at his door and offer to give him a tour of Ever at any point, if he’d like one.

Remembering the vegetables, I rush back to the kitchen. The pan swirls slowly on the stove, the veggies sizzling and snapping.

“Thank you Annabelle,” I manage, grabbing the pan and tossing the perfectly cooked veggies in a bowl. The black cat timer turns to watch me as I carry the veggies through a small butler’s pantry and into the formal dining room. My guests are beginning to arrive, and I greet each monster, answering a few questions as they begin to dig into the buffet.

The breakfast hours are a blur as I constantly refill the buffet and clean up as monsters make a bit of a mess. It’s not until the last guest leaves that I return to the kitchen and sit at the island for a moment.

Around me, the Annabelle feels happy. I sense her the way I always have—she’s like a warm hug, constantly there, a friend by my side. I’ve often wondered if this is how shifter mate bonds feel, that innate and deep sense of knowing about another being. Because I swear I can think something and Annabelle seems to know.

I glance up at the beautiful coffered ceiling. “I’m headed to a meeting with town leadership, darling. Arkan thinks it’s time to expand downtown Ever. Most of the businesses are stretched past capacity, as are we. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Annabelle groans her assent, the floorboards creaking beneath my feet.

I rise and go to the fridge, grabbing a filtered water bottle. “I suppose we’d have to expand into the rose garden because I don’t really want to stack a bunch more stories on top of you.”

Around me, she stills. The only sound is the steady tick-tock of the wall clock. I look around the kitchen while Annabelle thinks. We’d need to bump out this space to give it more industrial size, and we’d cut into the rose garden a bit. But it’s an easy enough fix. Now, if we wanted more rooms we’d have to add on another story, because there’s not enough space in my backyard to expand that way. Although to be honest, I’m already a bit busier than I’d like to be. If anything, I want less rooms, not more.

The cat timer hops around the back of the stove and to the far end of the countertop. Scrunching down, it executes a leap onto the window ledge, spinning to face the backyard rose garden. Like always, it’s a perfect sixty-five degrees outside—a weather pattern I chose when I designed Ever all those centuries ago—and the rose bushes sway gently, their blooms beautifully vibrant year round.

The timer spins slowly to face me as the window behind it opens, allowing the breeze in. It brushes over my face, rustling pale gray waves over my eyes. Shoving my hair out of the way, I stare at the gorgeous rose garden behind the inn, musing about what it would be like to finally grow the Annabelle Inn…and if I even want that.

Realistically, the Annabelle might be my heart building and best friend, but she was always meant to be my retirement hobby. I’m already busier than I’d like to be, but I haven’t been willing to hire a helper just yet. It hasn’t felt like the right time…although as two separate guests appear in the doorway, I consider that it might be the time now.

Smiling broadly, I greet the guests.

No rest for the weary.

* * *

“S o, thrall attacks and warlocks and revenants don’t seem to be deterring anyone from moving to Ever. Have you all noticed?”

Ever’s Keeper, Arkan, crosses his muscular arms over his chest as he swishes his tail lazily against his black-coated sides. He looks around at us with glittering blue eyes. The rest of us are seated, but the handsome young centaur prefers to remain standing during haven leadership meetings. He walks circles around our table sometimes and it’s very distracting to me, but he’s an excellent Keeper. Much like a human mayor, if monsters have such a thing.

Alo Rygold, one of two gargoyles from the town’s protector team, leans back with a wry look on his handsome, angular features. “Hopefully Ever’s many charms are the main draw? Although to be honest, having a blue witch living in town is probably pulling monsters here, too.”

Arkan nods, making eye contact with each of us in turn. I’d almost laugh at how focused he is—young people can be so intense—but we need that excitement.

“Since the opening of the Grand Portal Station at Hearth HQ haven, we’re drawing in an average of twenty new residents per month. The wraith motel and Annabelle Inn are constantly full. Homes keep popping up to accommodate the new Evertons. I’ve got five requests to call humans here from the outside world via the town map. And our businesses are…well…” he glances at Ohken Stonesmith, the troll owner of our singular General Store and Fleur, the flower shop. “Ohken, you’re busy. Too busy. Tell me I’m wrong.”

Ohken sighs around the big tusks that stick up from his lower jaw. “I never thought the day would come when I’d need more help or have to consider expanding the General Store, but I am. Wren and I talked about hiring an architect to design a second floor, but I haven’t bitten the bullet yet. I’m not getting nearly enough time at home with her, and that’s a problem for me.”

I smile. I had the privilege of watching him fall in love with Wren Hector. And I watched her triplet sisters and their young aunt, the blue witch, all fall in love, too. Ever’s been awash with love stories in these last few months.

That almost makes my smile fall. I’ve been working on my own love story.

It’s not going well.

I risk a glance at Arkan’s father, Vikand, who rests comfortably on a long centaur bench by his son’s side. Like always, the brilliant centaur appears lost in thought, arms crossed over his broad chest and pale eyes glazed. Arkan says something, but Vikand looks across the table at me. A soft smile tips his lips upward.

Even from here, my succubus’ senses are strong enough to pick up a wash of pheromones from him. He’s always found me attractive, but he’s quiet, shy, bookish to the extreme. I’ve been pursuing him slowly, certain he’ll never make the first move. I return the half smile. After this meeting, I’m asking him out.

When he glances away from me and up at his son, who’s still talking, I shove that thought away. I need to focus because this meeting is important to Ever’s future.

Arkan barrels on, seemingly oblivious to my temporary inattention.

“I want to get ahead of the growth, because I believe what we’ve seen so far is just a trickle. Since the opening of the headquarters portal station, we’ve been slammed. Now that it’s easier to come to Ever, I predict our tourism to grow by leaps and bounds. We need more restaurants and inns. Actually…” his voice trails off as he sinks down onto his forelegs, pointing at a rolled up tube of paper on the giant round table in front of us. “This is a set of old plans from a very long time ago when Ever was created. It wasn’t the final design, obviously, but some elements could be reused now. Town Hall provided these to me when I spoke with her earlier this evening about potential expansion.” He looks around the table with a smile. “She’s on board, by the way, excited even.”

I’ve seen these plans. I know what he’s going to show us before he unrolls them. I was there when the various options were originally designed. But it’s still fun when he rolls the paper flat and sets paperweights at each corner.

“There,” he says, pointing to a street at the far end of Main, just before the Historical Society and Town Hall. “The reason there’s currently the grassy area between the last shops on either side of Main and Town Hall is because there was always meant to be another cross street there. We need it now. And I need to be courting business folks from other havens to open locations here. Restaurants, coffee shops, gift shops.” He glances at me. “Probably inns, too.”

“Let’s take a step back for a second. Do we want to grow Ever?” A handsome shifter male with white-flecked black hair stands and points at the edge of town. “I’m not saying we don’t, I’m just asking if we’re all in agreement that we do . All the new homes springing up are beginning to encroach on Shifter Hollow territory and my people are getting antsy. Which again, is fine if that’s what we want. But we’ll need to expand Shifter Hollow, too. The shifters, centaur and pegasi need more space.” He stares at the old plans before looking up at Arkan. “My population is growing.”

Arkan nods. “Don’t I know it. These old plans don’t account for that, but I think it’d be easy enough to expand the ward and grow Shifter Hollow’s surface area too.” He glances over at me. “Can you see any complications with that, Catherine?”

It sounds like he’s just asking my opinion as a member of Ever’s leadership team, but he and I know the question goes deeper than that. I’m involved in haven creation in a way few monsters know about. Not even everyone in this room is aware. But Ohken looks over at me, his expression neutral. He’s been there when I’ve used my power. He’s seen what I’m capable of.

I smile up at Arkan. “We’re not close to any human towns. There’s only forest around us for a hundred miles in every direction…plenty of space to expand into. It’s wise to think about this growth now.” I look around to the gathered monsters, wonderful beings I’ve known, some for centuries. “Our growth rate is only going to increase and as Arkan mentioned, tourism is on the rise thanks to the new portal station. We never had much tourism before since it was such a pain to travel between havens, but now?” I run my fingers over the slightly curled old plans. “We thought this might happen one day, that’s how these plans came to be. I’m in agreement that we need to have these conversations sooner than later.”

Arkan barks out a laugh. “Oh, I’m not done with my suggestions, either.” He opens his hands wide, grinning at the gathered group. “We have a shiny new skyball stadium and a team that never practices. Even so, we almost won last year’s skyball championship. I want to put a bigger focus on our team. I’d like to attract regular games and court some rising stars. There’s big money in skyball, and we don’t really get a piece of that pie now.”

Ohken lets out an uncharacteristic growl. “I don’t want to take more time away from Wren, even though I’m technically on the Ever team. You know most of us who play are part time at best. I assume you’d want regular practices? We don’t do that now and I don’t want to start.”

“I know we don’t.” Arkan crosses his arms again. “But we should. Again, with the new portal station it’s a rock solid investment for us to do this. It’ll bring tourism, and tourism will be good for everyone in this room.” He shoots Ohken a pointed look. “I’m not suggesting you have to become a full time skyball player, friend, just that we should consider investing in a professional team.”

“He’s right,” I offer.

“Catherine, care to expand on that thought?” Shepherd, Alo’s younger brother, smiles at me from across the table. “Ever’s got such a wonderful small town feel. Are we talking about losing that if we bring skyball here?”

I toss my long gray waves over my shoulder as I pull my thoughts quickly together. “During last year’s skyball tournament, Ever was packed and busy, but it was the best weekend on record for sales at many of our shops and restaurants. Money doesn’t buy happiness, but it can buy freedom. I’m in favor of creating that opportunity for our friends and neighbors.”

I look around at the group of monsters I’ve come to admire so highly over the years. “I have friends I haven’t seen in years because interhaven travel was previously such a pain. That’s already changing because of the new Grand Portal Station. Getting busier is going to happen whether we’re ready for it or not. The pinch we’re feeling now is nothing compared to what’s coming. I’m in favor of being ready.”

“Exactly,” Arkan says, looking around the room as the others chat quietly. “We need more infrastructure to support the growth. And selfishly, I’d like to see us get a skyball coach, seeing as how we’ve never had one. I have two candidates in mind and I’d love to bring them both to Ever on a trial basis.”

“Moving fast, aren’t you?” Alo frowns at Arkan from his spot across the table.

Arkan’s tail stops swishing. “Part of the reason I came to Ever was to usher in an era of growth. This haven hasn’t grown meaningfully in about two centuries. That was fine for a time. But Catherine’s point about growth happening either way is spot on. We can be ready for it and provide everyone with a good experience. Or we can ignore it and deal with being too busy and the pains that’ll bring.”

Ohken sinks back into his chair with a sigh, scratching at his stubble with the fingers of one big green hand. After a long moment, he nods. “I’m in favor of exploring this. At the end of the day, I want more time with my mate. Let’s keep Ever functioning like a well oiled machine.”

Arkan beams, white teeth flashing in the fluorescent light from Town Hall’s auditorium ceiling. “I’m glad you’re all in agreement, because I have a call with Manorin Longhorn tomorrow about coming to Ever for a trial period.”

Oh my gods.

Manorin Longhorn.

I clasp my hands in my lap as I try to gather the thoughts that dash around my mind at that name.

Alo snorts. “Manorin Longhorn? Are you shitting me? He’s a fucking skyball legend.”

Arkan’s smile grows impossibly broad, stretching across his handsome face. “He coached me when I was going through the Protector Academy. I tried to recruit him for my last haven but he had no interest in leaving Hearth Headquarters or the Hellions. He agreed to take my call tomorrow, though, so I’m hopeful things are changing for him. I’ll keep you posted.” He sighs. “I know it seems like I’m suggesting we move quickly, but if we can get Manorin Longhorn to come here and build a team, wow. That would really be something. And I don’t see why we can’t do that and plan expansion all at the same time. The stadium’s just sitting there unused…” His voice drifts off as he looks around the table.

I glance at Vikand, curious to see what he thinks. To my surprise, he’s holding a tiny book in one hand, glasses perched on the tip of his nose as he reads. He’s not listening. At all.

A delicious scent curls across my consciousness and my nostrils flare to pull in more of that delectable smell.

Across the table from me, Vikand glances up from his book, appearing lost in thought. I’d bet a million dollars he’s thinking about something sensual, because he smells so damn good like fresh hay and pine needles. My sensual nature rises as I watch him cock his head to one side. After a moment, he looks back down at the book, shifting on his bench.

Arkan closes the meeting, and when Vikand rises from the centaur bench, I round the table and approach him, marveling at how much taller he is than me. Not that that would be a problem between us. I’m a succubus. I can handle literally anything in that department.

Vikand’s dark coat shines with health, his form still fit despite his age. He’s got to be nearly as old as I am—many, many centuries—and I love that.

“Hello, Vikand.” I smile brightly up at the handsome centaur.

He jolts slightly, having been lost in thought. Just as quickly, he tucks the tiny book into a pocket in his vest and smiles down at me, adjusting the glasses perched on the tip of his nose. He and Arkan could be twins with the same dark skin and long braided hair, but Vikand’s age is evident in the creased lines at the edges of his eyes and mouth. Gods above, he’s handsome with those high cheekbones and brilliant blue eyes.

“H-hello, Catherine.” He clears his throat, slipping a thumb into the pocket of his fitted navy vest. “You look lovely this evening.”

I glance down at the figure hugging emerald wrap dress I picked out. I’ve always had a full, buxom figure—most succubi do—but this particular dress really shows off my curves.

“Thank you.” I beam up at him. “Listen, would you like to have a picnic with me one afternoon next week? There’s a great little spot I know, I think you’d really enjoy it.”

Vikand stares for a long moment, then clears his throat again as sensual pheromones saturate the air between us. My power means I can read everyone’s pheromones. It’s an ability that helps me read those around me more easily. It’s how I always know which monsters will end up together, because I can literally smell attraction the moment I see them together.

It’s how I know now that Vikand is sincere in his compliment. I take another step forward, knowing my proximity’s having an effect on him as the scent of pine needles takes on a bright, lemony edge. His mouth drops slightly open, his nostrils flaring as his pupils blow wide.

“I…yes, sure. I’d like that. Just let me know when and where.”

I knew I’d have to make the first move. Vikand is many, many enticing things, but forward in the romance department is not one of them. And honestly? I’m good with that. I was once mated to a male who could charm the pants off of anyone and it ended poorly. I’ve had enough of that sort of monster to last a million lifetimes.

“How about next Wednesday. Pick me up at the Annabelle and we’ll walk together, alright?” I reach up and rest a hand on his upper stomach, curling my fingers gently into the fabric of his vest.

He shudders and shifts from one foot to the other, his voice quiet when he speaks. “Alright, Catherine. Would lunchtime work for you?”

I try to shove disappointment away. Lunchtime feels like a business meeting. But still…it’s a start.

“Lunchtime sounds lovely, Vikand. I’ll pack us a picnic.”

“I’m not a picky eater,” he says with a smile.

Errr…okay.

Dropping my hand, I wink at him as I turn and flip my hair over my shoulder. “See you Wednesday for lunch, Vikand.”

I sashay toward the exit. My neighbor Alo stands at the door, a wry smile on his face.

“Not a word,” I chirp as he holds his elbow out for me.

Alo snorts out a laugh. “Oh my gorgeous friend, you already know my thoughts on this topic.”

“So I do.” I wave those thoughts away as I slip a hand through his elbow. “Remember how you ignored me for five years while I suggested you ask Miriam out? I’m going to ignore you like you did me and it’s going to be just fine, Alo. Now, can we talk about something more fun on the way back home or are you going to give me love advice?”

He rests his free hand over mine as he guides me along the long hall to the exit.

“I don’t need to give advice that’s gonna fall on deaf ears, Cath. You’re a grown ass woman. Do what you want. For the record, I did eventually ask her out.”

I grin up at him. “I will, thank you. And I’m glad it only took you five years to realize your best friend was your soul mate.”

He smiles down at me. “Point taken. Moving on. What do you make of this Manorin Longhorn news? I’m pretty excited about that, honestly, although I don’t wanna play full time either. I’d do part time though.”

Something deep inside me heats at Manorin’s name.

“I dated him back in the day,” I whisper, not willing that secret to go any farther than Alo’s ears.

“Get the hells outta here.” He scoffs, dark horns flexing as his amethyst eyes go wide. “Seriously?”

I nod. “It was pretty serious at the time, but we were younger. It was before he coached skyball at the headquarters haven. And before you-know-who.”

Alo waggles both black brows at me. “Well, Catherine. I must say, this is an interesting development.”

“Is it?” I feign innocence, then I scowl up at one of my favorite monsters in Ever. “Keep that to yourself. At this point, Manorin and I are nothing but old friends.”

“Certainly would give him a leg up in this coach search Arkan’s got going on.”

I shake my head. “Nah. Our ancient history will have absolutely no bearing on that. You know I love skyball so I’m fully on board with Arkan’s plan to bring it here. I want the best coach we can possibly get.”

“Mhm, okay.” Alo’s tone is agreeable, but I suspect it’s not the last I’ll hear on this subject. Just like he keeps promising not to insert himself into my pursuit of Vikand the centaur. Yet even so, he’s regular and loud with his opinions on the topic.

Not that it matters. I will do whatever, and whoever, the hells I want.