Page 51 of Blossoms and Bloodlines
Beth stepped inside, immediately enveloped by the warm, earthy chaos that was Elara’s home. Wood floors, glowing salt lamps, books stacked like barricades, bundles of drying herbs, and the occasional bone or jar of something suspiciously magical. It smelled like rosemary, lavender, and a hint of smudge smoke. She’d always loved it here. Comforting in its clutter. Entirely Elara. Aryon didn’t live there, clearly. He preferred the lodge near the grove, removed, spotless, and serene. Typical High Elf in the woods. Elara had once called it his “moody monk phase” and never walked that back.
Beth made a beeline for the kitchen table and dropped into a chair like her spine was the only thing holding her upright. “I love him,” she declared.
Elara sat across from her, expression softening. “I know. When you two are together, your auras sync like a spell circle. But even when he’s not here?” She gestured vaguely toward Beth. “Still glowing.”
Beth swallowed. “We’re fated mates.”
“I know that too. He came to us when he first realized it to ask if we’d enforce the old rules. We told him we wouldn’t. Not to him, not to anyone.”
Beth’s voice cracked. “I love you guys for that.”
Elara tilted her head, waiting.
Beth drew in a breath and straightened. “There’s more. I need you to teach me. Me and Gael? That’s settled. But his mother wasn’t wrong about one thing. I’m human, and I don’t know your world. Not enough. Bits and pieces from you andAryon, sure, but that’s not going to cut it anymore.” She leaned forward. “I want to be someone who belongs at his side. Not some clueless outsider who smiles politely and gets eaten alive. Teach me. Give me Elves 101.”
IT HADN’T BEEN AN ALL-nighter, but it cut close to it. Beth drove back home when night had lost its darkness. She’d scratched the tip of the iceberg, but she had to start somewhere, and Elara had been a great teacher, giving her a thorough introduction to everything Elvish and a list of books to read before they had a second lesson.
She got home, hit the shower, glad she didn’t have the morning shift so she could catch a few hours’ sleep before going in to work.
She fell asleep and dreamed of elves.
THE FIRST THING SHEsaw when she opened her eyes was sunlight streaming through the window of her bedroom. Then, sitting in the armchair in the corner of the room... “Gael?” And just like that, everything from the night before came crashing back.
She pushed herself upright. “Gael! Wait—how did you get in?”
His expression was calm, serious. “I opened the door.”
“Pretty sure I locked it.”
“You did.” He stood and crossed the room. “Your door is barely a suggestion,lïoræn.No wards or seals. You should really fix it.” He sat beside her, careful, like he didn’t want to startle her. “My mother came here last night.”
“She did. She really did.” Beth winced, then squared her shoulders. “I’m sorry. I was rude, I said bad words, and I know she’s your mother, but it was very unexpected and—”
Gael touched a finger to her lips, silencing her.
“Lïoræn,” he said quietly, “I will never, no matter how long our lives will be, apologize enough for that.”
The look on his face stopped her more than the words. He wasn’t just sorry, he looked wrecked with it. “Oh?”
He sighed and took her hand between both of his. “She had no right. None. She crossed a line, and I’ll make sure she never does it again. I know how she is, and whatever you told her, however you said it, she earned it.”
Beth gave a tiny shrug. “She wasn’t exactly dripping honey.”
“No, she wouldn’t be.”
A flicker of a smile crossed his lips. Then he cupped her face, looking at her like she was the center of his whole damn world. “I’m so, so sorry. I told her and Val about you. About us, which is what spurred her into action.”
“What did Val say?”
“He loves love. He’d be happy if I mated with a twig.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “But when I told him it was you, he was ecstatic.”
“He’s the sweetest.”
Gael pressed kisses to her forehead, her cheeks, her temple. “I’m sorry,” he murmured again.
“You don’t have to be.” She tugged his arm until he sat back against the headboard, then curled into his side like she belonged there—because she did. “And, well, she got me thinking.”
He tilted his head. “Okay, I guess.”
