“Causing you misery wasn’t my intention, and for that, I apologize.” Lupin’s gaze reflected that remorse. “I hear you’ve been invited to the autumn ball.”
I blinked in surprise. “How did you hear about that?” I had only told Maddox, Briar, and Lake… as well as Callum and the other knights. And Kuya knew. Which pretty much guaranteed that every person he spoke to would also know. “It doesn’t matter how you know, I guess. It’s not really a secret.”
“You accepted Prince Sawyer’s invitation to attend?”
“Yeah.”
“Interesting.” Lupin pinched off the edge of the muffin and ate it. “I see it’s already been set into motion, then.”
“What has?”
His gray eyes reminded me of rain as they lifted to mine. “Your fate.”
My gut coiled. “You gotta be more specific.”
“I’m afraid I can’t. At least, not so directly. Normally, once the Emporium grants a wish, I check on the person at least once to ensure everything went smoothly, but I never interfere with them again.” Softness touched his expression. “But you’re different, Evan. I’ve taken quite the liking to you.”
“Great. I’m so honored. I’ll be sure to tell your husband if I ever see him again. I’m sure he’d love to know.”
“Ah, yes. There’s that sassy mouth of yours.” Lupin took another drink of coffee. “But you misunderstand. My interest in you is neither romantic nor sexual. I feel… responsible over you, like a guardian would.”
“Why? We barely know each other.”
He didn’t answer. He just stared at me, gray eyes alight with the knowledge he refused to reveal.
“What will happen at the ball? Will I, like, die or something? Be captured by Prince Cedric, chained up, and forced to do tricks like a performing monkey?”
Lupin laughed. “That, I can assure you, isnotone of fate’s plans for you. The ball itself holds no misfortune for you. It’s merely a… stepping stone, so to speak. Please continue to make arrangements to attend.”
“Okay. Good. Because I really want to go.”
“And you shall.”
“Sorry if I seem on edge.” I braced my hands on the bar top and breathed deep. “I’m just terrified you’re going to send me back.”
“You’ll be pleased to know, then, that you’re stuck here forever.” Lupin offered me a small smile. “This is your home now.”
“Oh thank god.” Relieved, I tried to return his smile, but the tight muscles in my face probably made me look constipated. I suspected something dreadful was still on the horizon. “So if you’re not here to reverse the wish, what’s the reason for your visit?”
He leaned forward in his seat. “I’m afraid I wasn’t completely honest with you in the past.”
“Well, that’s not ominous at all.” Anxiety prickled at my chest. “Does this have anything to do with what you told me during the Festival of Lights? About me possibly being murdered by one of my love interests?”
I’d tried to put that lovely detail out of my head over the past two months, but you didn’t forget something like that.
“No,” he responded. “This is… something else.”
“Okay. What then?”
“The Emporium didn’t send you to Bremloc on a whim,” he said. “Your wish was to find the place where you belonged. Now, one might argue that you belong here because of the love you’ve found and the love you’re still destined to find.”
“My harem, you mean.”
He snorted. “Yes, Harem King. Three males have fallen for you and two more are still on the way.”
I suppressed a groan. “Right. And a possible doom ending with one of them when he kills me. Maybe. But anyway. Harem talk aside. If not for love, why was I sent here?”
“Because it’s where you belong.”
