Page 38 of The Witch's Spell
“I’m a traveler,” he says. “My wanderings have led me many places, and I’ve picked up a few things along the way.” One of his shoulders lifts in a subtle shrug. “Many people speak of the fair folk and their ways.”
“You’re a liar.” My hands curl into fists as Aurora’s green eyes flash toward me.
“Faolan—”
“No, he’s not telling us something. He had something to do with that storm. I’m sure of it.”
Now the look on Thorne’s face shifts. His snowy brows pinch together, his silver eyes narrowing. “Every word I’ve said has been the truth. I’ve not spoken a word of dishonesty since setting foot in this cottage.” Harrison jumps from his lap, and he pushes to his feet. When he stands up straight, he’s just a bit shorter than I am, more Rowan’s height. “Perhaps your time would be better spent trying to help us figure this out instead of picking fights.”
A growl rumbles in my chest.
Alden and Rowan both make to stand up, but Aurora beats them to it.
“Stop it,” she snaps. “The both of you. These past few days have been hard enough, and the last thing we need is you arguing on top of everything else.” Her hands are clutched tight. A mixture of anger and sadness floods our bond. “Just stop. Please.”
Now her green eyes are glittering with tears, and the sight of them takes the fire immediately from my chest.
Fuck.
I did it again. I’m a mess right now.
Shoving a hand through my long hair, I say, “I’m sorry.”
The floorboards make a sound as Thorne shifts his weight. “As am I.”
“Thank you.” Aurora takes a sniffling breath. “Now, I’m going to bed. I plan to go to the library tomorrow, and I want an early start. Alden?”
That’s right—it’s Alden’s night with Aurora. At least that means I’ll get the bed upstairs to myself. Rowan can slum it on the floor for a night while the lying stranger sleeps on the couch.
Alden pushes to his feet and reaches for Aurora’s hand. She lets him take it, calling a gentle “good night” over her shoulder as she goes. Before Alden steps into the bedroom, he looks back at me and gives me a pointed stare.
I get it. He wants me to keep it in check.
I give him a small nod, and then he closes the door, leaving me, Rowan, and Thorne in the parlor.
Turning toward the foyer, I say quietly over my shoulder, “I know you’re keeping something from us. And I’m going to find out what it is.”
Thorne says nothing.
And I leave it at that.
For now.
Chapter 22
Thorne
THE NEXT DAY, I JOIN Aurora, Alden, and Rowan as they’re donning their cloaks in the foyer. At my feet, Harrison twines between my legs and cane, purring.
I’ve always loved cats.
Faolan still hasn’t come downstairs, for which I’m grateful.
Of all the men in this cottage, he’s easily the most suspicious of me. And for good reason. I don’t want to cause tensions between Aurora and the others in the house, but for now, I appreciate that she’s letting me choose when—or even if—to reveal my secret to the others. Those in the human realm can have a variety of reactions to my kind, be it fear or lust or hatred. I had a feeling Aurora would be accepting of me, but I don’t know the men well enough to determine how they may react, and for now, so long as Aurora is okay with it, I’d like to keep my identity to myself.
“Would you mind if I accompany you?” I ask Aurora.
She looks up at me with those beautiful green eyes, and the freckles along her cheeks change shape when she smiles. “You want to join me at the library?”
