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Emmett’s face twisted in confusion as he picked up one book. His mouth dropped open in surprise, and he picked up another, then another, and read the titles.
The History of Celtic Faerie, Vol. I: Royal Lineages and Marriages
The History of Celtic Faerie, Vol. II: Mating Rituals and Pagan Matrimonial Customs
Scottish Faerie Society and Mating Processes
An Analysis of How Faerie Mating Changes Biology
“Your plan is to give Fern a bunch of historical texts related to mates and just…hope that she puts two and two together?” Emmett looked at his friend like he had lost his mind.
“Yes,” Calum grinned, undoubtedly proud of himself. “And…this.” He dug into Emmett’s desk drawer until he pulled a small, well-loved novel out of it. There was a scantily clad couple and the title ‘Taken on the Moors’ stamped on the cover.
“Heeyy,” Emmett whined, drawing out the word as he saw what Calum was after. He blushed and crossed his arms over his chest, positively pouting. “That’s not fair. Why do you have to drag me into it?”
“Because,” Calum shrugged, adding the book to his pile, “if all else fails, your penchant for pulp fiction will seal the deal. And please stop pouting. I’ve seen you crush a man’s skull with your bare hands.” He lifted the stack of texts one-handed and tapped the end of his cane on Emmett’s desk in farewell with a wink. “You’re a lifesaver.”
“They remind me of home!” Emmett yelled after Calum as he stepped out and answered him with a renewed laugh without turning back.
“You’ve been trapped in this world since 1746. Get a Kindle!”
Chapter Seventeen
Fern woke up mid-afternoon and was putting her boots on before she was fully awake. The bean-nighe had nearly drowned Calum, and she still didn’t know what it’d said. Fern wrestled with her jacket and was surprised to find that was only one of her concerns.
He also refused to talk about the fact that we hooked up.
After years of giving everything to everyone else, Fern woke up in a taking mood. She’d come to Scotland somewhat begrudgingly but with the full intention of putting herself first. Something had changed the night before and now she knew that choosing Calum, choosing Scotland, choosing this—it was her choice to make.
The campus on a Saturday afternoon was nearly empty, except for the more studious types who were on the way to the library.
The human library, of course.
Fern couldn’t help but smile as she saw them, completely unaware of how much magic they were intermingling with every day. The department building greeted her with its stoic presence, its ivy-covered walls and gothic towers standing out against the chilly October sky.
Fern spotted Mara on the steps, waving at her and the female wulver she was with.
“Is Calum in his office?” Fern asked them breathlessly, her cheeks pink from the cool air. The wulver looked confused.
Mara grinned. “I think she’s referring to our boss.” Fern flushed deeper from embarrassment.
“I mean, um, Dr. Welsh.”
“Oh, yes!” The wulver recovered and gave her a small smile while Mara only smirked. A little shiver of unease ran down Fern’s spine as she disappeared inside the building.
“Have a good meeting!” Fern could hear Mara giggling behind her.
The baobhan sith were seductresses, almost like succubi, and Fern prayed to every god she knew, both Christian and pagan, that Mara hadn’t picked up on the transforming nature of her relationship with Calum.
He’s our boss. Fern chastised herself and tried to quickly smooth over the seemingly innocuous slip of the tongue. She navigated through the maze of hallways, peering at the top of the stacks of books for her next read as she went.
They probably don’t call him Calum. I mean, shit, he’s their prince. Oh. Wait. I mean… I guess that makes him my prince, too, doesn’t it?
The rest of Fern’s body flushed to match the heat in her cheeks.
My prince. I like the sound of that.
Fern was smiling and nearly shaking with anticipation as she knocked on Calum’s door. She didn’t wait for a response and swung the door open, nearly tripping over an ancient wooden shield on the floor. She practically fell into the office as her scarf tangled around her legs.
