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Chapter Forty-Four

C lover placed a cup of tea on the table beside where Ari was sitting, then settled on the couch next to her.

Ari’s frame was tense as her gaze skittered around the parlor.

“Thanks for coming here. I would’ve met you somewhere else, but I still don’t have a car, and Whit is out,” Clover said.

“I know. Llew and I have been covering your shifts all week,” Ari reached for the cup and saucer.

Clover lowered her head. “I didn’t know that. I guess my parents haven’t hired someone else yet.”

Ari clicked her tongue. “You don’t really think they’re going to replace you, do you?”

Clover’s eyes snapped to Ari’s.

“They told me when they asked me to cover it would only be temporary until you came back.”

Clover scrunched her brow. “But they told me not to come back to work.”

Ari shook her head. “Do you not know your family at all?”

Clover’s heart squeezed, and she dropped her gaze again. “I thought I did, but then no one would let me explain.”

Ari frowned severely, answering Clover with silence.

Clover laced her fingers together tightly. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before I got married. I know you read it in the text, but I wanted to say it anyway.”

Ari sighed heavily. “How long has this been going on? All you said in your message was that there were signs and omens. Is this what you’ve been so depressed about lately?”

Clover shook her head. “No, all that was really as I told you before. I needed a change—a big one. Something didn’t feel right in my life, and I asked the gods for help and charged that good luck charm. Do you remember the guy I asked you about after the end-of-summer party?”

“The one you thought might be one of the Good Folk?”

Clover’s face flushed. She still couldn’t believe she’d actually thought that for even a moment.

“Yeah, well, he wasn’t. That was Whit. That was the first night we met.”

“That wasn’t even two weeks ago.” Ari’s tone sounded completely unconvinced.

“I know. But that night, after we kissed, I saw the crow on the van. Then he ordered some camellias.” Clover shrugged. “So when he asked me to marry him, I said yes.”

The scowl on Ari’s face shifted as she pursed her lips in thought. “Why would a winter sorcerer do that? I mean, you’d only just met. I thought they were pretty rigid. I thought they didn’t like to do things spontaneously. You know I think you’re great. But are you telling me that after one kiss this guy fell so madly in love with you that he could overcome his very nature? Not to mention facing all the hardships that will come from marrying someone from the opposite faction.”

Clover bit her lip. But after a moment’s hesitation, she told her friend the truth. “No, he didn’t fall for me at first sight or anything like that. You can’t tell anyone this—not even Rhys. Okay?”

She waited for Ari to nod before she continued. “He was in a tough spot.” Clover gestured to the room around them. “In order to inherit this house from his grandfather, he had to get married before the solstice. For whatever reason—maybe the kiss, but I never asked—he asked me. I assumed he didn’t have any prospects.”

Ari stared at Clover for a long time.

“You’re incredible,” she said finally, shaking her head in disbelief. “You married a man who you don’t even know but you know for sure doesn’t love you because of a bird and a flower. I’m honestly impressed. I don’t know if I could trust omens with something so important. I mean, what if you read the signs wrong?”

Clover smiled softly. “It didn’t really feel like a leap of faith. When he actually asked me to marry him, it felt like agreeing was the only option.” Clover chuckled. “He seemed more surprised than I was.”

Ari huffed a laugh. “I bet.”

“But you know what? Even though I upset you and my family, even though I’ve been pranked by ghosts and confronted by his ex, even though I’m having to take things slower than I’d like with him physically—I know we’ll get there. Every day, I feel a little closer to him. Every day, I see why the gods led us to each other. He was thorough in making sure I knew he didn’t love me when he asked me to marry him?—”

“How romantic,” Ari grumbled.

“—But I knew then, and I still believe, that it’s only a matter of time before we love each other. The summer gods provide, and they wouldn’t lead me to a loveless marriage. Every day, I find something new to love about him. I feel like I’m collecting a single dew drop at a time, but when I’m done, my heart will be full.”

Finally, Ari smiled. And even though it was strained with worry, it carried her understanding. “I hope you’re right, Clover. I love you, and I want you to be happy. If it has to be with a winter sorcerer…well, then I guess that’s that. If he’s going to be married to my best friend, then I’m just going to have to get used to him. I hope he’s as great as you say he is. And I want to apologize, too. I was so hurt to learn you got married without telling me that I just sort of busted into your house without thinking. I should have confronted you first. But, honestly, I thought your family would already know. And I’m sorry I’ve been silent the last few days. I’ve been dealing with all the emotions. We’ve never fought before. And…I was also a little ashamed at how I acted, too.”

Clover leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Ari.

“Whoa!” Ari said, her teacup clattering.

Clover giggled. “It’s fine. That’s what saucers are for.”

After settling back into their seats, Ari said, “All right, now tell me everything. I’m sure I’ve missed a lot. What do you mean you’re having to take things slow physically? Are you telling me you two haven’t even had sex yet? Even the night of your handfasting?”

“I know!” Clover exclaimed. Pulling her legs under her, she pivoted toward her friend, preparing to tell her everything.