Page 54 of Incurably Cupid

Felix nodded, his face lighting up. “I have just the table for you three. It’s in a quieter room, by the fireplace, so you’ll all stay warm.” He looked at my parents and me. “And of course, the catered dinner tonight is for you all as well. This night wouldn’t have been possible without you.”

Before I could open my mouth to protest, Mum squeezed my hand. Hard. “We’d be delighted. Thank you, Felix and Yvette.” Dad just nodded, too focused on eating to speak.

“Thank you, Felix and Yvette,” I echoed reluctantly. I hated feeling like I was taking advantage of their generosity, especially when all I’d really done was get kidnapped. Mum and Dad had done everything.

But on second thought… I’d earned that fancy dinner. I’d paid for it with a two-day headache.

Mesmer sat nearby in his wheelchair, quietly observing the room. I still couldn’t sense his soulmate nearby, but I had hope. The pub was still relatively quiet—most people hadn’t arrived yet.

Out of the corner of my eye, something caught my attention, a flash of sparkle. When I turned to look, it was gone. I frowned, but then shook my head. No, it couldn’t be.

“Felix, can we head there now?” I asked, scanning the room. “It’s going to get busy any minute.”

Felix nodded and stood, leading us to the other room, but I was stopped as suddenly as if I had run into a brick wall when Mesmer asked me quietly, “Where do you want me?”

My heart spasmed.

With me.

Except... I couldn't say that. Instead, I dug deep and smiled. “How about I move you to a table along the far wall? That way, Lance can be parked right behind you.”

Mesmer stared at me.

I couldn’t interpret everything his eyes were telling me, but I could read enough to know he wassad—yet determined. For all the things his expression and his eyes conveyed, I knew there was a world of things they did not.

Finally, he nodded. “Thank you.”

Did that thank you sound final?

I struggled to keep my breathing steady as I led him and Lance to a clear table by the wall.

Where is your coping sarcasm now, Indie?

Facing away from him, I let a tear fall down my cheek before I wiped it away.

I cleared my throat as Mesmer transferred from Lance to his seat. “Do you need anything else?”

He shook his head. I nodded quickly and hurried to catch up with Felix, who was waiting with my parents. My dad immediately wrapped an arm around me as we made our way to the other room. I leaned my head on his shoulderand tried not to sob my eyes out.

Mesmer

I knew exactlywhy Indie was doing this.

For what felt like countless hours, I had been stewing in pain. Even though I’d only known Indie for a short time, I felt like I understood her—and somewhere along the way, I had fallen in love with her.

At first, I thought I knew her simply because I’d seen her around for the past year. I’d shared space with her on countless nights, when she thought no one could hear her talking to herself. I’d overheard her thoughts, her sharp wit, her quiet insecurities, and her skepticism about love. I had listened as she ranted about how people didn’t understandreallove anymore. I’d seen her squirm more than once when those around her showed affection or were in any way romantic.

Looking back, there had always been a connection between us, even from the very beginning. For the longest time, I thought it was just because she was the cupid assigned to me and I was familiar with her.

Later, I convinced myself that it might be the result of some kind of bonding magic—perhaps that was the buzz I kept experiencing whenever she touched me. But now, I knew it had been none of that. I had grown so accustomed to her presence that I'd begun, in the long hours of protecting the king and consort, to consider her a friend. I appreciated her dedication to finding my mate, but more than that, I began to look forward to her company. I enjoyed her dry humor, her sarcasm, her sharp intelligence, and the goodness that radiated from her—whether she intended it or not.

And so, when she began pulling away, I realized why it hurt so much. Because I knew she could feel what I felt—and that she felt it too.

I loved her. I truly loved her.

All the little moments spent with her had added up, each one like a raindrop collecting in a river. And before I realized it, those drops had become a flood.

The love I felt for her was so deep and intense that it both overwhelmed me and filled me with gratitude. But it also terrified me, because she kept trying to give me away, as if I meantnothingto her.

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