I glance at my hands, assuming whatever’s happening has to do with them, and I bite back a scream as I realize the magic isso thick around my fingers that I can barely see them. It doesn’t feel like anything, but I still don’t like it.
A few seconds pass before the magic dissipates, and I hope my heavy breathing isn’t too noticeable as the store clerk reaches underneath the counter and pulls out my gloves.
They’re now the color of my skin, a perfect fucking match, and I can’t look away as Samuel pays—this time with small, hard coins he pulls out of his back pocket.
Now I’mreallyconcerned he didn’t pay at the restaurant.
Samuel grabs the gloves off the counter and wordlessly hands them to me, and I slip them on before following him outside. Things get awkward when we step onto the sidewalk.
He’s held up his end of the deal.
“Farbay is that way,” Samuel says, pointing down the street to our left. “It’s a straight shot, and you’ll find signs along the way.”
Good to know.
I muster courage before straightening my spine and meeting Samuel’s eye. He’s already looking at me, probably waiting for permission to touch me. What if I don’t give it? Will he touch me, anyway? I’m getting the feeling he wouldn’t, not that I plan to turn back on the promise I made.
“You can touch me.” I clear my throat before continuing. I hope I don’t regret this. “And you can do it… intimately… if that’s how you prefer.”
Samuel’s eyes grow wide before narrowing. He doesn’t look like he believes me, and I shove my hair out of my face with a huff before tilting my chin up in a clear invitation for him to touch my face or kiss me. He said that’s how faeries like to do it.
Samuel still doesn’t move.
“Do you mean that?” he eventually asks. “I was under the impression you wanted me to touch your hand with mine.”
I lick my lips. “You’ve been kind and helpful, and I like you. If you want to kiss me or touch my face, I’m okay with that.”
The column of Samuel’s throat bobs as he gulps, and after what feels like a century of waiting, he cups my cheeks. He’s still wearing his gloves, so I suppose this means he intends to kiss me.
I shut my eyes and pucker my lips when he begins to lean in.
Samuel’s lips are soft when they finally find mine, but nothing happens. No sparks, nowowmoment, nothing that I assume happens when a mate bond is triggered. He lingers for a moment, stealing a proper kiss despite the lack of bond, before pulling away with a dejected sigh.
“Thank you,” he says.
I nod. A tiny, minuscule part of me hoped I’d be his mate. He’s friendly, and the thought of having a mate is so romantic. It’s probably for the best he’s not, though. That would throw a wrench into my plans, and I can’t stray.
“Are you disappointed you helped me today?” I ask.
Samuel pauses, thinking through his response before answering. “No. There’s something off about you, and I know you’re lying to me, but you seem kind. I was hoping you would be my mate, and I admit I’ve spent the better part of the past hour fantasizing about it, but I’m not upset I helped you. I hope you find whatever it is you’re looking for.”
I blow out a long breath. “Thank you, Samuel.”
He dips his chin. “You’re welcome, Abby.”
He spins on his heel and walks away, and I watch him round the nearest corner before turning in the direction he pointed out earlier. I’ve only got a few hours of sunlight left.
I tighten my backpack straps, pulling them tighter, before taking off.
Chapter Ten
ABBY
I’M SO HAPPY to have food in my stomach.
It’s renewed the energy I didn’t even realize I lost. Energy I’m going to need to get through the night. I’ve been walking for what I estimate to be three hours, and the sky is quickly dimming.
The road isn’t as barren as the one I was on earlier, and while I’m definitely walking through the country, the houses are closer together and small streetlights illuminate the way.