Page 64 of Bound and Tide

Xander screwed up his face, her words still not making sense. “But you did leave them,” he said. “For me.”

“I know, and I would do that again.” She reached out and took his hands while giving the empty chamber a long look over. “But I knew we would come back. I can’t just abandon this place.”

“You insist on staying.” It wasn’t a question, his voice going low and cold. “Your mind is set?”

She nodded.

“And even I can’t change it.”

She laced her fingers with his. “I’m sorry.”

“Fine.” He pulled his hands from hers and turned away.

“Where are you going?” she called as he strode to the door and pushed it open.

But he didn’t look back, stalking out into the darkness of the city on his own.

Evangeline stood unmoving behind the counter for far too long. Her ridiculous task stared up at her from the empty ledger, mocking her with the effort she would have to put in, already an impossibility, but it would be that much worse without Xander by her side.

“Do we go after him?” Maia asked under her breath.

“No, you two stay here,” Evangeline said, hiking up her skirt and grabbing her cloak from where she’d abandoned it. “Keep yourself warm and don’t let anyone in after I—”

A frigid gust hit Evangeline so hard that she was blown back from the door as she opened it. It felt as though her lungs froze as her breath was stolen from her, eyes shutting against the needling cold. She slipped on the ice that covered the entryway, scrambling to shut the door again and falling upon it when it finally slammed against the sudden blizzard that had come from nowhere.

Costa and Maia were standing to either side of her, leaning up against the door and panting from the effort.

“Where in the realm did that come from?”

“Arcana,” said Costa, his eyes wide, and Evangeline knew there would be no finding Xander in that storm.

Chapter 27

A FITTING END

Bendcrest’s high harbor was tranquil until it wasn’t. The storm came from the coast of the Maroon Sea and swept over the city, culminating in one very specific spot. It drove the few villagers still wandering about the streets indoors, but Xander Sephiran Shadowhart had no trouble walking through the terrible gusts and the frozen rain. Weather was funny like that when one could wield shadows and water both.

He was utterly soaked when it was over, that was really the only complication, but the discomfort didn’t stop him from making his way back to the apothecary. He knocked because that was polite, especially after leaving in a bit of a huff, but when the door opened, he could see on Red’s face that maybe she had taken it as more than just a bit.

“He’s dead.”

She blinked. “Who’s what?”

“Horace. Dead.”

“And you…” She looked him up and down, but there was no lusty fervor there just bewilderment. “You made him that way?”

“Yes.”

Red grabbed his soaking lapels and dragged him into the shop, closing the door behind him.

Maisie’s Magical Accouterments was warm, and it smelled of all the things he’d grown to love—brewing tea, crushed rosemary, Evangeline. The fire crackled in the hearth and though there were no bottles or tins for it to dance over, the orange glow was friendly and satisfying.

“Did you know his family was bothering quite a few other people too?” Xander yawned, stretching his arms overhead. “Found some of their own ledgers. Stupid to keep track of criminal dealings, but perhaps we’re all a bit dumb sometimes.”

“I had an inkling.” She fluttered about, stripping him of his wet clothes and ushering him over to the hearth. “But Xander did you really kill him?”

“Yes. Have I not made that clear?” He grinned down at her as she tossed aside his dripping tunic. “And not just him, but that father of his too. A whole lot of people, really—I knocked first and got myself invited in, and they were apparently having a celebration of sorts for their newly elected official, that Willy Bingly?”

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