Page 97 of Forsaken Oath

I see the question all over his face, but I don’t have it in me to tell him. Not right now.

“You don’t have to come with us, you know.”

Beau stands from the table, closing the distance between us in two long strides. His hands settle on my hips, his touch warm and reassuring even through the fabric of my dress. “I know I don’t have to, Peach. But I want to.”

His blue eyes search mine, a silent question in their depths. I can see the concern there, the quiet support. He’s giving me an out, a chance to tell him I need space, that I need to handle this on my own. But for the first time in a long time, I don’t want to push someone away.

“Okay, Beau,” I murmur, wrapping my arms around him and pulling him into a hug.

The chimeabove the door jingles softly as we step into Fiction & Folklore, the cozy scent of old pages, fresh coffee, andsomething faintly floral enveloping us like a warm hug. Vivie darts ahead, her sneakers squeaking faintly against the polished wooden floors as she weaves through a table of new releases, her eyes alight with excitement.

The bookstore is pure magic.

Golden sunlight streams through tall windows, casting a warm glow on the eclectic mix of furniture and bookshelves. Some shelves are sleek and modern, lined with shiny hardcovers, while others are mismatched and lovingly worn, holding gently loved paperbacks. Wicker chairs and overstuffed armchairs are scattered throughout, each adorned with cozy blankets or colorful cushions.

Fairy lights twist around the shelves, twinkling softly, while plants of all sizes spill from hanging pots and windowsills, adding bursts of green to the space.

On one side of the room, there’s a small café counter with a chalkboard menu written in curling script. A barista is making coffee, the hum of the espresso machine blending seamlessly with the soft, indie music playing overhead. A chalkboard sign readsTry our seasonal caramel maple latte!in elegant script lettering.

“Wow,” Beau murmurs behind me, his voice low and admiring. “I didn’t even know this place existed.”

I glance up at him, smiling. “It’s a hidden gem in Avalon Falls.”

Vivie’s voice floats over from a nearby shelf. “I’m going to check the used section first.”

“Okay, I’ll be in the romance section,” I murmur as she walks away with a little skip in her step.

Beau leans down, his lips brushing against my ear. “I’m going to check something out. Be right back.”

I nod, my pulse fluttering at the warmth of his breath against my skin. “Okay.”

I wander toward the romance section, running my fingers along the spines of the books. My heart feels light, as though the morning’s tension is finally starting to ease. Fiction & Folklore has that kind of effect. It feels like a refuge, a little bubble of calm amid chaos.

I lose track of time as I browse the shelves, pulling out books that catch my eye and reading the back covers. There’s something soothing about being surrounded by stories, each one a doorway into a different world.

I’m so engrossed in reading the blurb of a new small town that I don’t notice Beau’s presence until an iced coffee appears in front of my face, startling me out of my reverie. The plastic cup is slick with condensation, a green straw poking out the top of a mound of whipped cream.

“An iced caramel latte,” Beau murmurs, his voice smooth as the drink in his hand.

I blink up at him, a slow smile spreading across my face as I take the cup from his hand. Iced caramel lattes are my favorite coffee drink. “Be careful, Beau, or I’m gonna think you’re obsessed with me.”

Beau chuckles, that deep, rumbling sound that I’m starting to crave like a drug. He leans in close, his lips just grazing the shell of my ear as he murmurs, “Baby, if you only knew the half of it.”

My heart flutters at his words, warmth spreading through my chest. A shiver races down my spine at the intimate timbre of his voice. I take a sip of the latte to hide the way my cheeks flush, the creamy sweetness bursting on my tongue.

“Find anything good?” he asks, tipping his head to the book in my hand.

I smile up at him, holding it up. “Yeah, I might treat myself to this one. It’s aBeauty and the Beastretelling about a princess and a dragon king.”

Beau quirks a brow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “A dragon king, huh? Sounds intense.”

“The best kinds of stories usually are,” I tease back, nudging him gently with my elbow.

He chuckles, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. “I’ll have to take your word for it, Peach.”

I take another sip of my latte, the sweet, creamy caramel hitting my taste buds and making my shoulders relax even further. “This is really good. Thank you.”

“My pleasure, Peach.”

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