Page 63 of Magic and Muffins

I rolled my eyes at her then left with Shepard.

“You heard Effora’s voice when you asked about the portal relic,” I said once we were in his SUV. “She’s hiding something.”

“I think you’re right, but I don’t know what. Which is why we’re going to her place, despite her lying to us when she said she had Orphia’s location. I want to know what she’s up to, and I think we’ll get more truth from her in person than over the phone.”

“As long it’s only the truth we get more of,” I said.

Shepard reached over and took my hand in his. “It will be okay. She’s a nuisance, but she’s not stupid. She won’t alienate her allies, especially now that we know what Orphia wants to do.”

We reached a gated entrance manned by fae guards. They took one look at Shepard and waved him through. The mansion that came into view looked like something out of a fantasy book. The white stucco between the glass walls and windows made it look like it belonged in the clouds with the blue summer sky as a backdrop, not on earth with the rest of the dwellings.

Shepard parked in front, and I looked up at the two massive steel and glass doors that had to be two stories high. While he got out, I silently thanked Cross for being discreetly rich.

“Ready?” Shepard asked, opening the door and holding out his hand.

I nodded and walked up the sweeping portico with him.

Shirtless fae men opened the doors at our approach. My necklace thrummed against my skin, shielding me from their pull. Inside the furnished entryway, I saw another shirtless man waiting.

He inclined his head to Shepard. “Welcome back. Queen Effora is in her boudoir.”

“Tell her we’ll stay here,” I said. There was no way I was going deeper into the house.

“Please sit. Relax. I will inform the queen.” He indicated the high-back chairs at a small side table decorated with a mixed flower bouquet.

I sat at the edge of the chair, and Shepard stood next to me as the man walked up a grand glass staircase. It gave the illusion he was walking on air, and I was sure I’d break an ankle or neck if I tried to use them.

He returned several minutes later. “Queen Effora will be down in a moment. Would you care for a libation?”

“No, thank you,” I said. I didn’t trust Effora wouldn’t spike it with something and steal Shepard.

Shepard declined as well.

Eventually, Effora appeared wearing a ridiculous scrap of dressing gown that was as see-through as her glass house. Her nipple and belly button rings and chains slid against the sheer fabric with each step.

Once she reached the bottom of the steps, she smiled at Shepard. Her gaze barely flicked to me.

“Hello, darling,” she said to Shepard. “Do you desire anything?”

“The relic.”

“I was hoping for more, but you continue to tease me, Shepard. Very well, come with me.”

“We’re in a hurry, so can you have someone bring it to us?” I asked.

Her eyes narrowed on me. “As I said, it requires a human. My staff is fae. If you want it, you’ll have to follow me.”

Thinking of all the ways I’d ask Shepard to strangle her if she was lying, I reluctantly agreed.

We followed her down a white hallway, her hips swaying dramatically with each step, the fabric not covering the dimples above her rounded cheeks. I tried to look away, but it was almost like looking at a pendulum.

With each step farther into the house, the pull of fae magic grew until I had my hands fisted by my sides, keeping myself from jumping on Shepard. Judging by his fisted hands, he was having the same issue.

Effora stopped at a door with a guard standing outside of it. “Open.”

As soon as the door opened, I felt a familiar pulse. The globe’s magic swept over me, washing away my resistance to the desire riding me.

“Shepard.” The whining, desperate plea ripped from my lips without thought.

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