Chapter Three

The setting sun alerted Brook to just how long they’d toured the gardens. Kerren was fascinating company. He was curious about everything they saw, and his interest was beyond killing time and making conversation.

He compared each flower, tree, and shrub to something from his home, the fae planet of Prism. She doubted the average person knew as much about a sunflower as he seemed to know about the herbology of his home.

And as if his mind wasn’t enough, he looked like sex on a stick drenched in hot fudge. She swore that the moment he’d kissed her hand, her ovaries exploded.

Tall, strong guys always did it for her. She loved a guy who could pick her up and wouldn’t require her to wear flats. At five-foot-eight she was already tall, but pair that with four-inch heels and suddenly she was towering over most of her past boyfriends.

Kerren caught her staring, his hazel eyes sparkling. Throughout the day he’d looked at her with an expression that felt teasing, but she knew she wasn’t the butt of a joke. Rather, he seemed to have a joking side that wanted to come out. Hidden behind the layers of quiet formality and gentlemanly manners.

“We seem to have exhausted the sun,” he commented.

“That happens. Something about time flying when you’re having fun,” she replied.

He nodded, and it made his mahogany brown hair bounce in the breeze. For some reason when she envisioned faeries she saw them as paler, or wildly colored. Kerren had olive skin and nothing about his appearance even hinted at him being anything but human. Same with Vevina.

Not that Brook had ever met a human that made her knees weak with just his appearance and the low accented sound of his voice. Not even close.

She led them to the exit, one hand on her rumbling stomach. Time had slipped by, but once she acknowledged it, her body had awoken. It was ravenous.

“Tomorrow we can visit downtown. I know all the landmarks,” she said.

“I look forward to it,” Kerren replied.

Vevina followed them both, appearing more interested in her handheld planner than anything else. She wasn’t moving to Earth, after all.

 

“Did you need a ride back to wherever you’re staying?” Brook asked.

“I thought we’d walk,” Kerren stated. “The drive was short. The hotel can’t be too far.”

“Cars move much faster than you think,” Vevina reasoned. “I’d rather not spend the next hour lost on the streets.”

Brook smiled. “I would be happy to drop you off. Then I’d know where to meet up with you in the morning.”

“That seems fair,” Kerren agreed. “It’s the Landsgate Faerriot.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s more than a brisk walk.” Brook made her way down the steps from the garden’s main entrance and pointed across the street. “I’m parked right over this way.”

They walked while Vevina and Kerren chatted about evening plans. Brook glanced down into her purse, digging for her keys once they reached the crosswalk. The sound of honking cars made her head jerk up. Kerren had stepped off the pavement, directly into traffic.

She grabbed Kerren’s arm and tugged him towards her with every ounce of strength. He tumbled back from the road and they both landed on the ground. The cars sped by, never hesitating.

“Why were you in the road?” she gasped. She sat on the sidewalk, brushing hair from her face. Her blood rushed, making her alert yet tingly. “You could have been killed!”

Kerren stared at the cars zooming by, not saying a word.

Vevina knelt by him. “Kerren,” she hissed. She shook his shoulders. “Have you lost your mind?”

“I…” He rubbed his eyes and shook his head. “Damn. I assumed they’d stop.”

“No, they’d sooner run you over,” Brook explained. “You have to wait for the light.”

He looked at her as if coming from a trance. “Are you hurt? Tell me my foolishness didn’t get you injured?”

“I’m fine.”

He stood shakily then offered her a hand up. As she stood he pulled her close, wrapping his strong arms around her and holding her tightly. The sudden embrace made her rushing blood slow and calm, as if nothing was wrong. Everything felt perfectly right, in fact. Beneath his suit hid lean muscle, the thought of which made her shiver. She took a deep breath, inhaling his scent, a strange blend of herbs and smoke.

“I’m so sorry, Brook.”

“It’s fine… I mean, don’t run into traffic again, but I guess I should’ve said something about the proper—”

“Is your dress alright?” He held her at arm’s length and looked her over.

His scrutiny made her blush, but she wasn’t sure why. “It’s fine.”

He scowled, but his silence suggested it was aimed at himself.

“The lights…” Vevina said softly.

Brook glanced towards the pedestrian signal. “Ah. See how it’s a man walking?”

Kerren looked up but said nothing. Brook took his hand and led him forward. Vevina rushed across ahead of them.

Safely on the other side, she released Kerren’s hand. He didn’t seem fully recovered. It had to be hard to be in a new place, and harder to grasp how a tiny mistake could end up with dire consequences.

“Kerren?” she asked.

He turned to her, seeming to snap out of his daze. “Join us for dinner? I owe you much more.”

He took her hand again and waited patiently. It took her a moment to realize they were waiting on her. She led them to her car, Kerren squeezing her hand gently.

Sitting behind the wheel, her heart sped anew. The reality of what had almost happened caught up with her. Day one of introducing a fae duke to her city, and he’d almost become roadkill.

She half expected her phone to ring and find a pissed off Gerri on the other end. What else could go wrong?

* * * *

Brook walked into the lobby of the Landsgate Faerriot with curiosity blazing. She’d never been inside before, and even if she knew to expect luxury, the hotel was more than she could have imagined.

Her pumps clicked against the glossy tile floor, a masterpiece of creamy white with black inlaid swirls. Crystal chandeliers lined the length of the room, casting a soft glow down on the ivory marble columns. A fountain topped with bright coral blooms stood center, the only splash of true color.

She could only guess what the rooms looked like.

“This is gorgeous,” she breathed.

Kerren stood next to her, following her gaze. “You’ve never seen it?”

“No reason to visit, really. Not like I’d have reason to stay in a hotel in the city I call home.”

“But you know the rest of the city.”

“I know the historical areas. The history around this building is oddly vague.” She took a few steps forward then turned back to him. “I just realized. Faerriot. Fae-rriot. It’s a fae hotel?”

He nodded. “Which is probably why the official past is vague, as you say.”

She shook her head, amused that she’d never suspected it before. Usually, she was quick to notice connections. For now, she observed that Kerren appeared unimpressed with the room they stood in, suggesting that Prism had plenty of splendor. As a duke, most of the modern human world would be dull, she imagined.

Wealth was something she didn’t judge but had often felt slighted by. Most of the guys with money tended to act like it. Entitled, snooty, arrogant. Men like Ethan.

With Kerren, she kept forgetting he was rich. He was charming but not condescending. His suit appeared to be custom and have cost a small fortune, yet throughout the day he’d knelt in the grass and sat on dirty benches. He put her at ease instead of making her put up her guard.

She hadn’t known what to expect when she agreed to Mrs. Wilder’s request. Working as a personal liaison for a duke had sounded as exciting as it was daunting.

“Okay. They’re ready. It took some sweet-talking, but I got you two the best seats in the restaurant,” Vevina announced, appearing at Kerren’s side.

“Us two?” Kerren asked in a confused tone.

Brook frowned slightly. “You’re not joining us?”

Vevina waved a hand. “Oh no. You seem to have everything under control. Actually, I’m heading back to Prism.”

“Already?” Kerren crossed his arms. “Abandoning me?”

“You know I’m not a fan of the human world. I caught myself in the mirror and nearly died. I can’t live like this.” She offered Brook an apologetic smile. “It was very nice meeting you. Perhaps we’ll meet again sometime.”

Brook wanted to ask what the mirror had to do with anything, but Vevina was clearly in a rush to leave. She took the small woman’s hand and shook it. “If you’re ever around, definitely.”

Kerren gave Vevina a hug, a distinct look of sadness softening his serious face. They whispered to each other while Brook tried not to eavesdrop. Not that it mattered—they spoke in a language like nothing she’d ever heard.

“I just have a few things to do before I go, but if you need me, use the phone I left in your suite,” Vevina said, pulling away and appearing to study Kerren’s expression. “Phone. The black rectangle… the… Brook can explain it to you. It’s how humans communicate when they aren’t together.”

Kerren rolled his eyes. “I’m not a child.”

Vevina pursed her lips.

“I’d be happy to look at it and help you figure it out,” Brook offered.

Vevina gave them each a smile. Brook turned to peek at the restaurant, and when she turned back, Vevina was gone. Kerren stepped up beside her.

“Shall we?”

She nodded. He crooked his arm and she slipped her hand into it, surprised at the action but eager to hold him. He was strange and new, exactly what she needed to keep her mind off her current man-less situation.

Part of her regretted not asking Gerri to set her up. In the week since her horrid blind date, she’d felt unusually antsy for companionship. Being up close to a handsome fae like Kerren was practically torture.

* * * *

The restaurant within the hotel served mostly Italian dishes, much to Brook’s surprise and utter delight.

The chicken alfredo was thick and decadent, and so delicious that she was tempted to lick her plate clean. She swirled the last of her steamed broccoli through the creamy sauce and somewhat mourned that she’d eaten so fast. Her eyes closed as she savored the last bite, and when she opened them again realized Kerren was staring—and she’d been moaning.

“It was so good,” she said sheepishly.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Are we thinking dessert?” Kerren asked eyeing her empty plate. “I think we need chocolate or ice cream or something…”

Brook grinned, embarrassment slipping away. “Do you have a sweet tooth?”

“I’m eager to try new things.” He sipped his wine and traced his fingers up and down the long stem of the glass, appearing to want to say more. “I’ve traveled plenty, but I’ve never felt as out of my element as today.”

“I can only imagine how different it is.”

He offered a crooked smile. “Prism is... I suppose it would be like your French renaissance mixed with Gaelic lore. Incidentally, we and a few other fae civilizations directly influenced that.” Swirling the wine in his glass gently, he continued, “I think the biggest difference is the atmosphere. Prism feels lighter, like the magic lifts you somewhat.”

“And you’re a duke… so why would you leave?” she asked. Immediately after asking, she regretted it. It wasn’t her business.

His only response was a shrug, and they sat in silence until the waiter came to give the dessert options. They opted to split a New York cheesecake, since Kerren had never tried such a thing.

After the waiter left, Brook reached across the table and brushed her fingertips to Kerren’s. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I sometimes speak before I think. Whatever you’re doing here, it’s not my place to inquire.”

He laced their fingers together, staring at her hand while his mind seemed to work. She could practically see the cogs turning.

“Prism is beautiful, but it is not perfect. The life of a duke isn’t magical, really. The restrictions tend to outweigh the perks.”

“Like what? I can’t imagine what restrictions could be so terrible,” she admitted. She half-prepared for his argument, expecting him to equate riches and luxury with prison, the way celebrities wanted to be ‘normal people.’

“For example, if I were to see a lovely woman like you, I couldn’t spend time with her unless she was of a certain house and breeding. Then, all noble matches have to be blessed by the King and Queen.”

That was unexpected. “What?”

“A couple could fall in love, only to have that love decided as unworthy. I suppose many think it’s an acceptable restraint, but it left my parents in a loveless union.”

“I’m sorry.” Brook hated the idea of seeking approval like that. Her parents had hated every guy she’d dated through high school and college, but it’s not like they were in charge of her decisions in the end.

“It made me less than eager to find a woman for myself.” He glanced up, the golden undertones of his eyes glowing in the candlelight. “Not that I’ve ever encountered a woman like you before.”

“Oh?”

“From the moment I first saw you, your hair was like a beacon. So vibrant and alluring.”

“It’s not natural.”

“So? It’s your personality, isn’t it?” He pulled her fingertips and placed his palm against hers, fully holding her hand. “It’s more than that, however. You have a regal bearing. Confidence that has a glow.”

Her cheeks grew warm, and she knew they were as red as her hair. “Ah. Well, thank you.”

“And you’re gorgeous.”

The waiter deposited the chocolate drizzled cheesecake between them and left.

Brook didn’t know how to respond. Wit escaped her. Flirting usually came second-nature to her, but Kerren disarmed her. He’d just more or less stated that he’d left his world to find freedom and love, and then hit on her.

“I bet you say that to all the ladies that save your life,” she teased finally.

He arched a brow but released her hand and picked up his fork. “So, this is cheesecake.”