Page 60 of The Incubus's Angel
Staring down the beach toward where Aurelius is tending to a fire, Beck nods admiringly, looking a little wistful. “I think I’m lonely. Now that Bodin has found someone, and you, I kind of want it to be my turn.”
I reach up and squeeze his shoulder, my eyes also tracking Aurelius where he’s flitting to the next fire. “I wish I had some great advice for you on how to meet someone. Maisie basicallyknocked on my door one day and became my best friend. It was easy to fall in love. The meeting part was the hardest for me.”
Beck snorts, the sound holding a note of derision. “Meeting someone isn’t hard for me. It’s making them like me enough for a second or third date that’s the difficult part.”
Something in my chest twists uncomfortably at that. There’s clear hurt in his voice and I want to help him so much, but I have no knowledge to go on. If Maisie hadn’t chosen me, or my tangerines, I’d still be stuck behind my window shutters right now.
The music shifts to an upbeat acoustic tune, drawing cheers from the crowd close to Marisol.
“You meet creatures regularly?” I ask Beck, trying to find some thread to pull on.
Beck lets out a slow, controlled breath and cracks his neck. “I spend a lot of time in the city running errands for Starry Hill. But the creatures I’ve met have been mostly short… encounters. They’re not very keen on coming back to the island with me. And leaving Starry Hill will never be an option I can entertain.”
I shuffle my feet awkwardly, unable to think of anything clever to say. “The weight of guardianship is difficult, isn’t it?”
“Not difficult. Just… heavy.” Beck’s light eyes flash with emotion, but he covers it quickly with a neutral mask.
“I’m sorry,” I state simply.
He shrugs. “It is what it is.”
We settle into a comfortable silence as we watch the party liven up even more. There are smiles everywhere, hugs, and laughter.
Aurelius ignites the final bonfire, the interspersed blazes flickering along the beach adding a whole new level of coziness to the atmosphere. On the water’s edge, I spot Viggo chatting with the purple-haired human he had with him at The Flowering Teapot, and judging by their body language, they might also be making an early exit tonight.
My gaze always drifts back to Maisie, like my soul has been magnetized by hers, following her wherever she goes as she chats animatedly to various creatures with Doc Calla at her side. When the doctor meets my eyes, she sends me a wink and I nod back my thanks.
Eventually, Beck and I make it to one of the bonfires and take our seats next to Calixta and Beryl.
Raising her brows and twirling a long-tipped nail at me, Calixta says, “You’re looking really healthy, Ren. Love the crimson glow.”
I snort, my cheeks heating at the comment. “Thanks. I’m feeling healthy. Life’s good.”
Beryl pats me on the shoulder, perhaps a little harder than strictly necessary. “Take care of our Maisie for us, will you?”
If I didn’t know it was meant with love and care for my angel, I’d be offended. “Always.” Silently I add, “But she’smyMaisie.”
Calixta leans forward, propping her chin in her hand and her elbow on Beryl’s thigh. “Have you shown Maisie yet?”
I shake my head. “Not yet. I’ll add tonight’s photos and the names Doc Calla’s collecting, then I’ll show her tomorrow.”
Beryl narrows her eyes at me. “So Maisie still doesn’t have any idea of what you’ve done? You’ve not even hinted at it?”
My shoulders climb high, but I don’t allow myself to cower. “She’s just been so busy and I didn’t want to distract her today. I thought it’d be better to tell her tomorrow when she’s calm and everything’s done.”
Tilly walks up behind us and flicks Calixta’s horn playfully. “Let him be. He knows what he’s doing. Can’t you see how much he loves the girl? Let him write his own love story.”
Properly chastised, Calixta sinks back in her chair and faux sulks. “Fine. But I expect a full report after she finds out. Take notes. I want every reaction.”
I lift a brow. “Every?”
Calixta’s gaze turns devilish. “Every.”
Beryl presses a finger to Calixta’s painted lips and shakes her head. “Nope. He’s entitled to a little bit of privacy.” Just when I’m about to blow out a relieved breath, she adds, “Unless Maisie tells us.”
Everyone laughs and the conversation shifts into neutral territory again until Maisie comes over, eyes blazing with excitement as she drops into my lap.
“Hi,” I whisper and press my lips to hers.
