Page 14 of Shamrocks & Second Chances

“What? I’m a critic now.” The little dog preens. “Someone has to maintain standards around here.”

Fergus approaches us, clapping his hands together. “You’ve completed all three challenges magnificently. As promised, here is your reward.” He waves his hand with a flourish, and a parchment materializes in the air between us. It floats down gently, and I catch it before it reaches the floor.

“‘Where luck runs deep and wagers are bold, seek the place where fortunes unfold,’” I read aloud. “Fortunes...?”

Bella peers over my shoulder. “The private gaming rooms at Finnigan’s Lucky Charms.”

I nod. “That’s what I’m thinking.”

Fergus grins. “Aye. Clever as always, you two. The private gaming rooms await your presence.” He winks at me. “You know the way, cousin.”

I roll up the parchment and tuck it into my pocket. “Thank you, Fergus, though I suspect you enjoyed this little performance more than was necessary.”

“Guilty as charged.” He laughs. “But can you blame me? The legendary Seamus and Bella, dancing once more. It was worth orchestrating just to see.”

Bella narrows her eyes. “Orchestrating? You mean you planned this?”

Fergus waves his hands dismissively. “I merely facilitated what the magic required when asked to take on the task. The dances revealed truths that needed revealing.” He bows dramatically. “My work here is done. I’ll see you both at Finnigan’s when you’re ready.”

With another shower of golden sparks, he vanishes, leaving Bella and me alone on the stage. Hecate trots over, looking smug.

“That was entertaining,” says the little dog. “Though if you two stared any harder at each other during that last dance, you might have set something on fire.”

“Hecate,” warns Bella, though her cheeks flush slightly.

I clear my throat. “We should head to Finnigan’s. The private gaming rooms are in the back, behind the main bar.”

Bella nods, not quite meeting my gaze. “Lead the way.”

As we step off the stage, the enchanted lights dim behind us. The flowers return to their normal colors, and the magic of the moment fades like a dream.

Still, something fundamental has changed between us. The dances revealed truths we’ve both been avoiding, and now, they can’t be unseen. I glance at Bella as we walk, noting she’s fighting it harder than I am, this pull between us, but the Tango of Truth doesn’t lie. There’s still hope for us.

Chapter 5—Bella

FINNIGAN’S PRIVATEGaming Hall glows like a runway strip with elaborate external lights and magic sparkles, while its windows are tinted with magic that keeps prying eyes from seeing inside. The building itself is unassuming—a two-story brick structure with a hand lettered wooden sign that simply reads “Finnigan’s Lucky Charm’s Pub.” No indication of the extravagance that waits upstairs.

I smooth down my green hair, wishing I’d worn something fancier than jeans and my favorite emerald sweater. Next to me, Seamus looks perfectly at ease in his fitted shirt and dark trousers, the Celtic embroidery along his collar catching the moonlight.

“Ready?” Seamus asks, his hand hovering near the small of my back without quite touching me.

“As I’ll ever be.” I adjust the strap of my purse, where Hecate is currently hiding. Her tiny head pokes out just enough to see.

“This place smells like expensive regrets,” she whispers, her nose twitching. “And something old.”

Fergus greets us at a side door, his grin wide and mischievous. “Cousin. Bella. Welcome to the finest establishment this side of the veil.”

He leads us up a narrow staircase that opens into a space so opulent it makes my jaw drop. The ceiling stretches impossibly high for a two-story building—magic at work—with chandeliers that don’t hang from chains but float, their crystals shifting colors with the mood of the room. The walls shimmer with goldleaf and enchanted murals that move subtly, revealing scenes of ancient fae revelry playing out in endless loops.

Patrons lounge on velvet couches or cluster around gaming tables, their laughter musical and dangerous. I spot several high fae, their otherworldly beauty almost painful to look at. A vampire deals cards at one table, and his movements are too fast for human eyes to track. In the corner, a group of wood nymphs giggle over drinks that change color with each sip.

This is the closest Evershift Haven gets to having a seedy underbelly, and I’ve never stepped foot inside before. Even when Seamus and I dated before, he never invited me here nor showed any sign of wanting to come either.

“Quite the crowd tonight,” says Fergus, guiding us through the room. “Lady Maeve is in rare form. She’s won three fortunes and gave them all away just for the drama of it.”

I feel gazes tracking our movement across the floor. My witch senses prickle with awareness of the old magic saturating the air that is powerful and unpredictable. Seamus walks with casual confidence, but he’s constantly scanning the room, and his posture remains alert despite his relaxed expression.

In my purse, Hecate has gone unusually quiet. When I glance down, I see her charm has turned a murky gray, revealing her anxious color. That, more than anything, puts me on edge.

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