Page 90 of Tempting the Fae Lord
Her gaze narrows. “Oh, not now. When you’re not expecting it. More fun that way.”
I’m glad it’s Jack on her bad side and not me. Amaris can be extremely inventive when it comes to revenge. She’s a clever thing. Too smart for her own good. Earlier this week, she finally beat me at Essin.
And who’s to say if I let her win?
My lips are sealed for the sake of my ego’s well-being.
I climb up the sandy beach to stand at Ezra’s side and watch the others at play. He wraps an arm around my waist and tugs me in.
“They like it here,” he says quietly. “Do you?”
“Sure. But we’d like it anywhere so long as we’re together.”
“Wise words, young man.”
True to his word, Ezra has doggedly pursued the mystery of my original parentage. It’s slow going, the earthside preternatural messenger network, but I don’t mind.
We discovered the fae I was swapped for is alive and well. His name is Sebastian. Which means my name was Sebastian! Though I much prefer Gale. And Mooncalf. He’s living near Pest, Hungary, with an incubus for a mate. They own a brothel. A brothel! Fascinating.
Of course I want to know absolutely everything. Arrangements are in the works for our first meeting. An anxious, excited little zing of energy swoops through me at the thought. I’m nervous about it but also happy. As long as I have Ezra with me, I know everything will turn out fine.
Wind rustles the tall dune grasses behind us, making a whistling sound, almost like the needles of the evergreens back at home.
As late night yields to early morning, our family dries off and retires to one of the two seaside cottages we’re occupying for our stay here. Ezra and I bid them good-night, then join hands and take a walk through the heart of the charming coastal town. Charming is my word. Ezra says it’s sticky and smells of fish. But I think it’s lovely.
Of course all the shops and taverns are closed, the cobbled streets are empty, and the residents are deep in their slumber. But the night bugs sing us a chorus on our stroll, and the moons and stars are good company as always.
For a while, we mosey in pleasant harmony, each in our own thoughts but always together. Out of the blue, he asks in a somber tone, “Do you ever miss the sunshine?”
“Erm, not really. Why? Are you worried about that?”
“Perhaps.”
“Don’t be.”
“It’s all right if you do.” He lifts my hand and kisses the knuckles. “Miss the sun.”
“I don’t.” I’d been thinking of dragging him back to our cabin and kissing him senseless. Planning it, actually. “What’s got you so pensive this evening? Doyoumiss the sunshine?”
“I hardly remember it. But no. It’s just when folks think of the beach, they think of the sun.”
“Not me. From now on, whenever I think of the beach, I’ll remember Eulie squealing like a schoolgirl every time a wave hits. That’s far better than the sun.”
This tugs a small smile from his tight lips. “Indeed.”
“Stop worrying.” I squeeze his hand. “I don’t have time to pine after things I’ve lost because I’m too busy enjoying everything I’ve gained.”
“That gladdens my heart, Mooncalf.” He squeezes back and lets out a sigh. “I fear it’s in my nature to fret, even when there’s nothing much left to fret about.”
This could fit nicely with my plans. “Oh, well, if that’s the case, I have plenty for you to worry about.”
“You do?” He stops and stares at me with a familiar, concerned edge to his gaze. “Enlighten me.”
I crowd his space, pushing him against a stone building. “Mm, big matters. Hard matters. Very needy matters for you to worry about.”
His eyes darken. He leans in. “Oh my. Have I been neglecting certain duties?”
“Severely.” I rub myself against his thigh. That ought to take his mind off the melancholy. “So neglected.”
