CHAPTER 7

 

 

Astix took the streets at a little less than twenty-five miles per hour. Sleet covered the asphalt and pelted the windshield with musical plinks. She considered herself an adept driver, but the added pressure of her sister in the passenger seat begging her to go faster had Astix’s caution tripling. No way would she risk another accident when Aisanna was finally on the mend. So she drove like an elderly person with a vision problem to be on the safe side.

“This is taking too long,” Aisanna griped. Her hands tightened on the oh-shit bar. “We need to get there before I go out of my mind.”

“Are you in the mood to die today?” Astix asked.

“No.”

“Then stop badgering me.” She shot her sister an evil grin and turned up the heater. “Speaking of badgering, we need a plan.”

“A plan, in this case, is about as effective as using a trap made of cotton swabs to catch a raging bear.”

“Ha! Good one, Aisanna,” chirped Karsia from the backseat.

“So…no plan?”

“We’ll talk about it when I’m not freaking out.” Aisanna bit her nails and tried to keep her breathing even, her heartbeat slow, her mind from racing down the worst-case-scenario highway.

Luckily, Astix took her panic into account. “Sorry, I was trying to lighten the mood. We’re almost there,” she put in easily to keep her own frustration down. “Just be calm.”

It was too difficult to be calm. Visions of her business going down in flames danced in her head. Elon was good, but not equipped to handle things alone. And with the extra tables and centerpieces added for the Peterson wedding… Of all the days for her to be out of commission.

“My post-traumatic stress from the accident is warring with my need to be there. Immediately,” she told Astix.

“Yeah, I figured.”

“I could help out if you need me,” Karsia said, leaning over the seat. “I’m not quite the gardener you are, but—”

“No thanks,” Aisanna put in hastily, then felt guilty. “I mean, thanks for the offer, but this is my thing. It’s something I have to do myself.”

Astix maneuvered at a constant pace, well aware of the slip and skid of her tires. She leaned forward and focused on the double yellow lines. Soon, she turned a corner and cut across two blocks using a side alley.

“Here, here!” Aisanna motioned for her to stop. “I’ll walk from here. It’s close enough.”

Karsia frowned. “Are you sure?”

The wipers madly hissed to keep up with the pelt of ice and rain. The wind howled, although the car remained steady. Astix hesitantly slowed to a stop with only minimal slipping.

“Yes, I’m sure. Thank you so much for everything.”

“Do you need me to stay and…” Astix trailed off.

“No. I’ll get Elon to drive me home.”

Astix opened her mouth to protest that rash decision when the door slammed shut in her face. She sat for a moment with the roar of the heater ringing in her ears, watching her sister walk away, hunched against the weather. A sigh escaped and she set her jaw.

“I’m worried about her,” said Karsia.

“Yeah, I know. So am I.”

“We definitely need a plan.”

“Definitely.”

The idea of Aisanna going it alone did not sit well with either sister. Unfortunately, there appeared to be little choice in the matter.

“Any ideas?” Karsia asked.

“Maybe…” Astix bent to retrieve her phone and punched a number. “Leo? I’m on the way home. I’ve got news.”

 

**

 

Aisanna reached the rear door to the shop moments later, soaked to the bone and shivering. She dug into her purse and only then realized she didn’t have the keys with her.

“You have to be kidding me.”

Her head banged against the metal. Lines of icy rain cut along the plane of her jaw. She kept her face low and raised her hand to pound against the metal, rhythmic booms resounding until she made out the sound of footsteps from inside.

“Come on, come on!” she yelled. “Open up. It’s me.”

Locks clicked and tumblers released. She jolted forward when Elon pulled open the door. “You made it.” He peered at Aisanna. “And you look awful.”

A hand shot to his mouth to squelch the rest of whatever he’d been about to say. “Tell me I look awful one more time and I’m going to permanently sew your lips closed,” she threatened.

“Sorry,” he mumbled through her hand. “You shouldn’t be out in the rain. Get inside.”

“Where’s the emergency? Why did you not call in a backup?” She cut right to the chase, pushing past him with a pained exhalation.

Elon trailed after her. “I did. And here you are.”

“I mean our regular employees,” she said in exasperation.

“The weather, boss. No one else wanted to come out. Johan yelled something about not risking his neck for minimum wage then hung up on me. I tried to call the Petersons and see if they wanted to reschedule but they said everything is still on, no return on their deposit if they cancel the day of. Like I told you over the phone, the freesias did not come in and I can’t put everything together myself.”

He hated getting her out of bed. More than ever she needed to rest, to recover from whatever horrors she’d gone through, whatever harm had come to her body. He blamed himself for the freesias. If only he had been more vigilant with the ordering and kept a better eye on deliveries. Then there would be no need for her to be there. It was true, he couldn’t handle things himself, but he damn well would have tried instead of forcing her to come in.

And there she was. If anyone could pull the proverbial rabbit out of a hat, it was Aisanna.

“I understand the weather. It’s just a pain in the ass.” She threw off her jacket and, though her gait appeared unsteady, grabbed an apron from a nearby hook. She took in the familiar scent of the shop, flowers, and greenery, and Elon watched some of the tension ease.

“You don’t feel well and this makes everything ten times worse. You have bigger things to deal with than work crap.”

She shot him a look over her shoulder. After a long breathy sigh, she came out with “Absolutely.”

She would do what was necessary. No questions asked, no hesitation. It was one of the things he admired most about her.

“You’re better at time management than I am. Show me what needs to be done,” he replied.

“You said the magic words.”

Even after four days at home, she was ready to go. His esteem of her bumped up a notch and he summarized the situation for her. They got to work, and Elon tried to add a bounce to his step for her benefit. Time ticked away with neither one glancing up for anything less than moving on to the next bouquet. The next garland. The next centerpiece. They took breaks to switch out buckets beneath the busted water pipe.

Soon she forgot about the pain in her joints. She forgot about her worries, the plan they hadn’t been able to formulate, and dove into the vigor of creation. Elon had music on for her. Another folksy tune with the wail of a fiddle and the richer, sensual tones of a cello. A woman’s voice cooed to them over the music, melodically telling them about the man who did her wrong.

He hummed along with the tune and made up the words he didn’t know. Aisanna listened to the way his voice rose and fell along with the notes he missed and those he did not. He carried her away until the work did not feel like a burden.

She made sure the rest of the arrangements were in order before excusing herself to the back room. “I’m going to go see if I can find some kind of replacement that will work. Or maybe we misplaced those freesias. The temp could have mislabeled the boxes or something.” She started down the hall, then turned around. “Who the hell orders freesias in February, anyway? The Petersons are out of their minds.”

“You can look, but I’m telling you, I searched through the boxes over and over again. There’s nothing back there and I blame myself for the oversight.”

“You can blame yourself later if you want. Now keep a handle on this while I search.”

While Elon distracted himself with the final changes, Aisanna inspected her inventory. Exhaustion threatened her, more now than it had earlier in the day. She was running on fumes and falling short of her very high expectations for herself.

Get it together, girl.

She pushed those thoughts to the side, as well as the overwhelming desire to turn on every single light, and willed herself to focus.

Rows of vases filled with blooms in shades of white and dark-pink lined the cases of the shop, ready to go when they’d deliver for the wedding. She surveyed the work with pride, immeasurable pride at what they had been able to accomplish in such a short time. Elon would not have been able to handle the order alone, she knew, no matter what he told her. It made her feel a bit better for asking her sister to drive in the weather.

A box tipped on its side and fell. Aisanna jumped at the sound before giving herself a slap on the wrist. There were no monsters lurking. Nothing lingered in the dark to swallow her whole or suck her into visions.

This was her space, her hour. If she didn’t feel comfortable in her workplace…then where?

The magic was slow in coming when she concentrated on the need, the pressing need for it. She’d used too much for healing and left no time to recharge the proverbial batteries. If she didn’t have those freesias in the next few hours, then it would be for nothing. She knew how particular brides could be, especially when their parents controlled the purse strings. One small slip, and a hard-won reputation was potentially besmirched by unhappy customers.

She’d gone the extra mile for Mrs. Ulrich. She could do it here.

Aisanna drew on every ounce of power she could muster and felt a swell of relief when heat built at her fingertips. This was real. This was stable. This was a physical manifestation of her soul. Maybe her doubts were misplaced. Maybe she and her sisters were powerful enough to face the beast before the eclipse.

“Come to life for me,” she muttered, closing her eyes and picturing what she desired behind her lids.

Instantly the scent of buds assaulted her with a sweetness so keen and sharp it brought tears to her eyes.

Branches of flowers sprouted from nothing, boughs dripping with red and orange blossoms and tufts of long narrow leaves along a slightly angled stem. Loose one-sided spikes of funnel-shaped flowers filled the air with delicious perfume.

Only when she was sure to have enough did she release the flow.

Freesia blossoms surrounded her, enough to decorate the entire room with their beauty. It took her longer than expected to gather them together, placing each delicately into a box and making sure Elon did not hear her tape the cardboard lids together.

That would do nicely.

She slid the box into the walk-in cooler, tucked it just under the bottom shelf.

“Hey!” she called out, standing near the box and holding the cooler door open. “Elon. Come take a look at this.”

He shuffled over from the front and flipped the wall switch on to flood the room with light. “What?”

Aisanna gave the box a small kick with the toe of her boot. “Just open this up and tell me what’s inside.”

Elon did as she asked. He removed a box cutter from his back pocket and released it with a slight snick. Bending, he slid the blade through the newly placed tape and drew the sides apart. For a moment he could only look at her.

“Holy shit!” His smile was wide and relieved. “How did you find these?”

“They were right here the whole time. They must have come sometime during the week. Like I said, mislabeled.” Aisanna surveyed her work. “This is why I stress the importance of knowing your inventory.”

She hated lying to Elon, hated hiding her gift from him and the others. Unfortunately, she knew the consequences of telling normal people of her magic. Resentment and bitterness grew at their lack of power. Soon they came to fear what they didn’t understand. It was a risk the higher-ups in their community refused to take. The rules were in place to protect everyone.

That was where the Claddium came into the picture. They had been birthed after the Spanish Inquisition in an attempt to close ranks on the community and protect those with magic from the rest of the world.

Elon could never know what she was. And she was not prepared to face the penalties if he ever found out.

She watched the play of emotions on his face. He peered up at her with happiness so acute it brought an answering grin, her lips drawing back.

“I can’t believe we missed this.” Elon dug down and removed several of the blossoms, bringing them up to his nose. “I feel stupid for calling you in. If I’d taken a second look I would have found it myself.”

“No, you needed the help. I should have been here, anyway. I hate sitting idle when I should be doing something. At least we found the box before it was too late.”

“You’re right. As usual.” He didn’t sound bitter about it.

She held the door open. “Do you want to bring those out? We can do the finishing touches.”

Elon lifted the package, sailing by her and bringing the entire container to the front room to complete the wedding preparations. Aisanna spared a quick glance at his skinny jean-clad rear before averting her gaze.

“Johan needs to get his eyes checked. With those Coke-bottle glasses, he still couldn’t see a bulls-eye on a horse’s ass,” Elon joked. “He helped me look yesterday. Olivia, too. I double checked today. Maybe I’m the one who needs his eyes checked.”

“You’re right about Johan. He just refuses to buy new ones. He still insists he has perfect twenty/twenty vision.”

Aisanna stifled a laugh at her oldest employee, the first one she’d hired. She kept him on because of sentimentality, when his work was not quite up to par and his eyesight was, indeed, going-going-gone. He was also a classic misanthrope who didn’t quite understand the concept of pleasing the customer.

“The other day, I caught him putting salt in his coffee instead of sugar. Do you know, he drank the whole thing instead of admitting he was wrong. I watched him do it. I’ve never seen someone so committed.” Elon shook his head. “He really is a character. I’m sure there are other things he’s done, funnier things, but I can’t think of them right now.” He dug into the confines of the cardboard for a bunch of flowers, delighted when she grinned. “I really am happy you came in today.”

“You want to know something? I’m happy about it, too.”

“Even if it’s just you and me? Alone?”

She exhaled a warm puff of air to move her hair from her brow. “There seems to be a bit more of you and me alone lately than I would like. But you know what? Yes, if it’s you and me, I’m happy.”

He gave her a quick laugh. “I’ve waited three years for you to tell me that.”

“Glad you didn’t hold your breath.”

“I think I would have died waiting. Now I know you’re not feeling well. You’re doling out compliments like Halloween candy.”

She schooled her face into one of annoyance. “I compliment you. Often.”

“I think I can count the times on one hand,” Elon insisted lightly, getting into the spirit of their teasing. “Don’t worry, I understand why. You wouldn’t want my head to swell up larger than yours.”

At her outraged gasp, he tossed a freesia blossom her way. Aisanna snapped it out of the air and used her other hand to smack his shoulder. “Maybe I should start putting salt in your coffee. How would you like that?”

“Probably as much as Johan.”

“I don’t know what’s gotten into you,” she let her hand linger on his arm a split second longer than usual, “but thank you. It helps.”

He placed his fingers over hers. “Anytime. Bet you didn’t realize I had such a rapier wit.”

“I might have had an inkling. If you can get out of your head long enough to show it to me.”

“I think what you meant to say was, ‘If I can stop yelling at Elon long enough for his creative thoughts to materialize.’”

They stayed like that for a moment longer, eyes locked and fingers touching. Then she broke contact. Elon cleared his throat. “How about you tell me how you’re doing. Or do I have to beg you?”

“I’m doing much better,” she said finally. “Thank you for asking. I’m trying to heal.”

“You ready to give me the truth of the nitty-gritty details? I’m working with the word on the street, which is cut brakes, and you said it wasn’t true.”

“Not true, still awful.” Aisanna eased back and contented herself with watching him. “I thought I saw someone in the backseat of my car. I freaked out, ran into an SUV, and then it was lights out.”

“I’m surprised your hard head didn’t damage the SUV,” he quipped.

“Always makes me feel better to hear you say it.”

He made her laugh, put her gently at ease once more. He had that way about him. They chatted about several nonsense topics, from employee idiosyncrasies, to the weather, to plans for the coming months.

She did like the way he moved. Patient and steady. He nursed the bouquet, made a few finishing touches, until he was sure everything was exactly right before moving to the next.

Before Aisanna knew it, she was telling him about various family feuds over the years.

“Russian temperaments never mix well, especially with everyone in one house,” she said. “I can remember one day my mother wanted to bake a cake. She does not cook well in the first place, let me tell you. My father brought her flour for the mix. In her mind, it wasn’t the right kind. She threw the flour, the pot, the spoon, and several knives in his direction. He managed to get to the door in time to avoid the butcher knife before it embedded in the wood. He still refuses to change the door. He keeps the gouge mark as a memento. Or a reminder whenever he wants something and she’s hesitant to agree.”

Because the sky had darkened with the swarm of clouds and snow, Elon took it upon himself to light several candles despite the fluorescents overhead. He retrieved two candles from the emergency kit beneath the counter and soon both wicks were lit. “I wasn’t really welcome in the kitchen. I had no idea about the danger of baking cakes. I should have realized what goes on behind those closed doors.”

“Not to mention having three girls and one boy under the age of fifteen,” she added, placing flowers intermittently amongst the vases. Oh yes, much better. Amazing how things came together with the smallest addition.

Elon sent her a look. “How did I not know you had these siblings?”

The thought of her missing brother had her stomach twisting in a sailor’s knot. She pushed the feeling aside and reached for the next bloom. One thing at a time. “I suppose it never came up before. It’s not a big deal.”

“I’m an only child. My parents decided they could only handle one of me. Apparently, I was a terror. I didn’t sleep for more than three hours at a time.”

He adored the look of her in any light. The muted golds of the candles did wonders for her complexion, put little flecks of light in those interesting eyes. He tried not to stare too often, although lately he could not help himself.

“I was never one for the kitchen. No, I wanted to be an explorer.” He smiled at the memory. “I was always outside, skinning my knees, breaking things.” He rolled up his sleeve to show her a long, crooked scar running from his elbow to mid-bicep. “Here I was crossing a grapevine between trees and I landed on a rock. Hard.”

“That looks like it was painful.”

“Yeah, no shit.” He yanked his sleeve back down. “I was always into something. Even the broken bone didn’t stop me. I was back at it within a week of getting my cast.”

“You should have seen some of the things my sisters and brother got into,” she started.

“But not you?”

“I’m the oldest. I was not supposed to do those sorts of things.” She leaned in close for a conspirator’s whisper. “Although I’ll admit to you, I did. I threw rolls of toilet paper at my neighbor’s trees on Halloween, and eggs at their windows.”

His smile was quick to come. “You little devil, you.”

“And I sold marijuana in college for about a week. Then the guilt had me straightening out.” The admission brought a blush to her cheeks. She could conjure plants, could she not? It was simple to produce a few buds and use the extra spending money for textbooks. It sure beat asking her parents for a loan.

“Wow. A devil and a rebel. I would never have guessed.”

“There’s more to me than meets the eye.” Aisanna tapped a finger to her chest. “I was a revolutionary.”

“Yeah? Not me. I did get into a pack of my father’s cigarettes when I was five. I ended up eating one instead of smoking it and being so sick I didn’t think I would recover.” Elon stood back and surveyed their work. “You think it’s good enough for the wedding?”

“Yes. We’re on the right track.”

While they continued, he poured two glasses of water and set them down on the counter.

“I can picture you as a little boy. You still have the touch of youth on your face…” Aisanna trailed off when Elon picked up his glass and downed the whole thing. He used the inside of his elbow to wipe his mouth, leaving his lips pink.

“You’re trying to tell me I’m too young?” he asked wetly.

She scowled against a rush of feeling. “That’s not what I said. Stop putting words in my mouth. I’m saying you have nice round cheeks.”

“You like my cheeks. Good to know.” Elon fluffed up and pretended to preen.

“Oh, hush. You’re young, that’s the end of it.”

“Not too young to love.”

She didn’t like how the conversation suddenly veered away from safe territory. “Love for some things, not for others.”

“I suppose that’s true. You really love your family,” he responded.

Aisanna deliberately kept her gaze on the arrangement, swiveling around for the last of her freesias. “For all their faults and failures—my own as well—I do. I…I don’t want anything to happen to them. I’m the oldest. I’m supposed to make sure of it.”

“That’s a lot of pressure to put on your shoulders.”

Her laugh was bitter. “You have no idea.”

She charmed him. Elon could listen to her speak for hours on end, her voice like a soft melody. There was no accent, no exotic lilt to set it apart from others. When she spoke she did so clearly, with a hint of a trill, as if on the verge of song.

She glanced around. “I need more baby’s breath.”

“I’ll go.”

“No.” She waved him down before he rose. “I’ve got it. It will only take me a minute.” She glanced over as she rose. “Stop sniffing the flowers and keep working.”

“Me? Stopping to smell the roses?” Elon set down the bouquet. “I don’t know what would give you that impression. I’ve been working steadily through the afternoon.”

“Presentation is half the battle. Remember that, Mr. Fayer,” she said, pleased with the progress.

Aisanna continued behind the counter, bending at the waist to search for her ever-ready stash of baby’s breath. At the touch of his hand on her spine, she froze.

It struck her then. They were standing very close.

“You need to rest before you pass out. Please, sit. Let me handle this.” He reached past her and grabbed the carton they needed.

“I don’t like being coddled,” she said irritably.

Elon walked back to their prep table, set the baby’s breath down. “I wouldn’t dream of coddling you. You’re a strong woman, Aisanna. I’m here to help you when you don’t think you need it, and when you don’t ask for it. I can see the secrets you try to hide.”

“I don’t want to talk about secrets. There’s too many. And it’s not your concern.”

“I’m not asking you to talk about it. One day, if you feel like you can, you’ll tell me.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“I’d rather talk about me and you.”

“There is no me and you.”

He peered at her, his fingers working on their own accord. Pieces filled in under his ministrations and the arrangements practically completed themselves. “There may be if you give it a chance. There’s something here between us. I know you feel it, too.”

“I don’t need a man in my life. Not in any serious capacity. I have nothing against you, Elon. I’m just not looking for anything,” she answered slowly. “You’re a handsome guy. Take the compliment and leave it alone.”

Elon recognized her discomfort. He knew she would rather talk about anything else other than the chemistry between them. And try as she might to deny it, he knew.

It was there.

“Stop getting your hackles up over silly things,” he observed and continued working. “Thank you for the compliment. It means you’ve considered me. Some men want a woman who will cave and give up the fight immediately.” He shrugged. “Not me. It seems an arrangement like that would get boring quickly. No spark, no flame. No passion.”

She shifted awkwardly from foot to foot, the mention of sparks and flames igniting a curious feeling in her chest. “Can we stop talking? I don’t want sparks.”

“Everyone does. Even me.” He paused, his voice low. Measured. “If you don’t give in to those sparks every now and then, you could miss something great. If you didn’t put the flames into your flowers…then your business wouldn’t be half as successful. Don’t you agree?”

She knew he would not give in, would not back down easily. He would continue the topic of conversation whether she wanted him to or not. Loath to admit it, part of her enjoyed the back and forth. The mention of flames brought Israel to mind. She tucked him away, knowing he had no business there. Not then.

“Maybe. You think you’re clever, don’t you?”

He grinned. “I have my moments. You know, if this were a real date we would have a meal in addition to these beautiful flowers.” Elon gestured at the spread. “We’d be stuck inside with the snow falling, a fire roaring, and a blanket wrapped around us, maybe a couple of mugs of hot chocolate to keep us toasty.”

“Sounds comfortable. Would we be at a ski lodge?”

“Depends on whether you’d like watching me fall down on the slopes.”

“I could go for some hot chocolate,” she admitted.

“One day. A better date, I think, would include nicer weather a little closer to home. We might take a walk by the lake, look at the stars overhead, and see where the evening takes us.”

“Ah, there you go again.” Aisanna leaned on the counter and shook her finger at him. “The magic word is if. Or date, rather. Two magic words. It will never happen.”

“Never say never. Maybe one day I’ll get up the nerve to ask you out for real. And maybe then you would say yes.”

She couldn’t think of a compelling reason to refuse him. Yes, maybe. One day she wouldn’t need to tell him. Oh, it would be nice, she thought, then shook herself at the realization.

Needle points of ice and snow pelted against the shop window. Midmorning turned into afternoon and soon it would be time to load their wares into the van and head across town.

“Enough. I’m done talking.” She rose and stretched her shoulders. “Go grab the keys and open up the back so we can get these to the church on time.”

She crossed the space to pick up the first piece. Elon took her hand in a quiet connection, though they remained a foot apart. “Aisanna.”

She lacked the strength to protest when he closed the distance, his palms gentle on her shoulders as he drew them closer until their chests touched.

“This does not equal grabbing the keys, Elon.” Her words were quiet.

He tilted his head to the side, the dark blue of his eyes catching the light and glinting with anticipation. “I’m sorry.” He kept silent then, as he brought his mouth down to hers. The touch of his lips was soft and he sank into her. Drifted beneath the waves and let himself go on a tide of feeling.

It was difficult to speak. To think rationally when emotions she wasn’t ready to handle churned inside of her. She resisted at first, hanging back from the contact though he persisted. Eventually, she moved closer, let him glide his tongue along the silky lines of her mouth. The bare parts of her skin heated and it surprised her when her lips curved up into an affectionate smile.

A thousand impressions assaulted her. The drugging perfume of her flowers, the slightly sweaty musk of Elon’s skin, how delicious he felt next to her. She reacted to the softness of his lips against hers and the feel of his hands when they moved up her back to tangle in her hair.

He remained patient with her, keeping the contact light without pushing too far. There were flashes of hunger, brief moments where she swore she heard the sparks pop in the air between them. Though he held her gently—afraid to bruise—he kept his arms firm.

He drew the taste of her into his blood and his memory. Her unique flavor. There was more to her than he’d first thought, something electric sizzling through his nerves and frying his senses. His arms tightened around her until her lean, slender body molded against his. Elon felt his heart kick into high gear. It galloped. It raced.

Her name slipped out from his lips once, when she broke free with an uneven breath. Her eyes were dark and huge. Indecipherable. Elon waited for her to berate him, knowing it was worth it for one taste of her.

“What are you waiting for?” he taunted.

With a curse, she moved to him. She locked her arms around his neck and took him for the ride of his life. Her mouth was heated, light. Magic. She pushed him to the limits, and Elon knew whatever the risk—whatever the price—he wouldn’t change a thing.

She nipped at his bottom lip before her tongue smoothed over the tiny ache. Then she changed the angle of the kiss, taking him deeper. Enticing him.

He wasn’t sure who stepped back first. He only knew his fingers trembled when he let go of her. One wrong move, one misstep, and he could lose her.

When Aisanna spoke, her voice was hoarse and a little unsteady. “Don’t do that again.”

“Aisanna—”

She shook her head and jerked when his fingers trailed across her chin. “I can’t, Elon. Not right now. Please understand.”

It took him a moment to answer. “I do.”

Somehow it helped, seeing how undone she’d become. Knowing she felt the same as he. It proved something. Proved there was an inescapable draw between them. Something like he’d never encountered before.

The rhythm of the falling ice…the dark sweep of the sky…the flow of his breath over her skin… The interior of her shop felt like a kind of enchantment.

She sighed, hating that their playful banter had to end on a sour note. Why did she constantly feel the need to push him away, even when desire shimmered between them and she wanted to dive back into his kiss. She wanted it more than anything.

“Come on. We’re going to need extra time to get to the chapel.” She curled her fingers at her sides, opened them again. “I don’t want the weather to put us behind any more than we already are.”

Elon shot her a jaunty salute and planted his feet, bending down to lift two boxes stacked on top of each other. “I’ll be careful driving, I promise,” he explained, noticing her unspoken unease.

He turned away because it hurt to look at her. To see her standing there with shadows on her face, looking too pale. He wanted to touch her again now that he knew how she felt beneath his fingertips, against his body. Now that he knew how she tasted.

There would be time for them, he thought. Time to turn her cheek back to him and make sure that, when she looked, there was more than lust there.

“I don’t regret kissing you,” he muttered.

“And I don’t want your regrets.”

He brought the boxes closer to the back door, unsettled, before making sure she was prepared for the weather. “Get your coat on.”

Her brows lifted. “You bossing me around?”

“Do you have your coat? Your hat? How about mittens?”

“Yes, yes, and yes. Get in the van and stop distracting me.”

 

**

 

He took his time driving, maneuvering more slowly than Astix had. The weight of the van made it difficult to take corners at any speed. They made it to the chapel with moments to spare. Although she was not much help setting up, Elon handled things smoothly. He looked dramatic, she considered, watching him. Angsty and moody. There was an almost frenzied energy about him. He took direction from not only her but also the bridal party with decorum and respect, and soon a grin split his face from ear to ear. Because of it, she indulged herself and sat back to survey his progress.

Dealing with weddings did nothing to make her want one of her own. Despite her mother’s wishes—or the urgings from other women her age—Aisanna despised the entire antiquated concept. She enjoyed the show, the flash, the ceremony, and seeing everything come together at the end with flawless execution. She adored the way her flowers brightened up a room and made the occasion memorable.

Anything beyond that? Not a chance. Weddings made her sick in the stomach, not the heart.

However, seeing Elon there, surrounded by women in aquamarine tulle dresses twittering at his jokes, was almost enough to have her rethinking the concept. She could picture him standing in front of an altar, one she designed and executed herself, looking discerning and mouth-wateringly attractive in a suit. She would want an outdoor wedding, though. Somewhere they could feel the sun and the grass underfoot. Somewhere fitting for an earth elemental.

No! What the hell was she thinking? She shook her head vehemently. Bad idea. Very bad idea. Especially considering the kiss in the shop. The delicious, gut-wrenching kiss that triggered a small explosion in her chest. She’d wanted to prove something to herself, she mused. Prove she could conquer the constant internal tug-of-war Elon Fayer inspired.

He belonged there amongst the beauty. He laughed with the girls and made small talk as he worked with the table settings. His audience was charmed, Aisanna along with them.

Once they finished staging the scene, he hustled her back to the van, concerned for her welfare. She caught the flash of jealousy on several bridesmaids’ faces and couldn’t help but feel privileged.

“I know you told me not to worry, but it’s getting late and I can’t help it,” he said. He held his jacket over her head until she was situated. “I don’t want you out here once the roads begin to freeze.”

She shrugged. “In any case, I imagine I’ve bossed you around enough for one day. It’s your turn.”

“We’ll call it job security. I believe that was your term?” He hooked his hands in his pockets and sent her a roguish grin.

“Um, yeah.”

They went down the road slowly, with the wipers working double time. At last, he pulled up in front of her parents’ house.

Aisanna stared up at the familiar façade of her home. She hated that he had to bring her here. The embarrassment she felt rose to choke her, though she had no choice in the matter. Elon took the circle drive like a professional and came to a stop directly in front of the entryway stoop.

“Are you going to be okay?” he asked.

Let it go, her mind warned. Let it go before you drag him down into something he has no business being a part of.

It took her a moment to answer, dread rising to choke her. If it was her fate to battle, she couldn’t beat it. Couldn’t fight against it, not if she wanted to keep her family safe. “Yes. I should be.”

“Do you want me to stay with you for a bit? To make sure you get settled?”

She appreciated his concern. “I’ll be fine.” She shot him a grin designed to put him at ease. “Stop worrying.”

“It’s part of my job.” He leaned in toward her, skimming a hand over her wet hair and pushing it away from her face. “You understand, don’t you?”

It was hard to swallow the flicker of excitement burning low in her abdomen. When she raised her eyes to him, they felt gritty. “I’m not for you, Elon. Let me go.” She pressed a hand against his shoulder. Cold air whisked over her and she used her free hand to open the door.

He stretched back. “Maybe you think so. But things are not complicated,” he told her lightly, although it cost him. “I’ll be here when you’re ready. There’s nothing casual about us.”

The kicker? She believed him.

Aisanna let the door close on his final words, her head filled with him, and watched him pull the van around the circle driveway. The street was deserted and quiet except for the steady plink of ice.

God, he was a good-looking man, she was forced to admit. Funnier than she gave him credit for. Okay, maybe he pushed her a little farther than she liked. And maybe he got overly familiar with her.

Maybe she liked him more for his tenacity.

And he’s your employee. And younger than you. And he’s human. Don’t forget those minor details.

No one was perfect. It wasn’t like she’d allow this tiny attraction to grow into anything bigger. Right?

Aisanna pushed inside the house and pulled off her jacket, wincing when it dragged along her shoulders and the bruises still healing there. She turned to glance in the hallway mirror.

Blood rushed from her head to her feet. The swell of dizziness had her toppling over onto the banister. Black lettering flashed across her face like little cuts. Symbols she didn’t recognize. When she looked up to the mirror, someone else was looking at back at her. Not the pale-faced woman with blue and green and amber eyes. Neither was it the empty black eyes of The One Who Walks in Darkness.

It was a woman with golden blond hair hanging in thick waves down to her waist. Heavy brows and a blistering smile. Behind her—behind Aisanna—there was a shadow. An abyss. Reaching out to both of them.

Aisanna was too scared to move. She stared at the woman in the mirror as a voice echoed in her head.

Come to me.

It took effort not to jump out of her skin. “Leave me alone!” she shouted.

Come. And know.

The words on her forehead glowed and shifted, a strange paralysis keeping her locked in place. Aisanna screamed at the top of her lungs—or tried to. Before she had a chance to draw breath, she heard the hissing sound of something hot being pressed into her skin, something slashed across her chest and down her arm. She felt the searing heat of the brand on her flesh, saw the outline traced through the thin fabric of her shirt. Saw the blood flowing out of her.

She sank to the floor in pain. Terrified of what she would find if she looked.