My jaw falls slack, but excitement thrums through me. “Okay,” I say in a hushed tone. “I’m ready.”
Heart’s Hollow is unlike any town I’ve ever seen in person. Sunlight makes the snow on the ground and rooftops glitter. Winding cobblestone sidewalks decorate the town with pretty pathways between colorful shops. In the center of the town is a beautiful park with a large gazebo in the middle.
“How are the flowers on the gazebo blooming with all this snow?” I ask.
Darius smiles. “Remember the witch I mentioned?”
“Autumn?”
“Make sure you ask him the story behind the gazebo. There are two stories there, actually. One that involves his brother, and the other is related to his fated mate.” Darius’ golden brown eyes swirl with amusement. “But to answer your question, it’s magic. Just like the cleared streets and sidewalks. All magic.”
I peer out of the car right as an honest-to-goodness orc crosses the street. It’s then that I take in all the people chatting and walking around. While most of them look human to me, I spot one person who looks like a dragon shifter, maybe. And then a few people who remind me of elves fromTheLord of the Rings.
Glancing over my shoulder in the back seat, I see Cleo sitting up in her kitty cat car seat. “We aren’t in Kansas anymore, Cleo,” I joke. She glances up at me and slow-blinks her acknowledgement. Something tells me none of this is new to her.
Darius laughs. “Mind if we stop by my tea shop early?” he asks. “I’d love to show it to you.”
I nod eagerly. Darius’ tea shop is where we agreed to first meet my parents. They invited me home, but for some reason, that made me really nervous. I might have grown up there for the first six years of my life, but I don’t remember any of it. I don’t remember Lyra or Edwin, and while it shouldn’t, it makes me feel guilty. As if it’s my fault I was taken. I know it isn’t, but I can’t help how I feel.
When Darius offered his shop as neutral ground, I agreed easily. It would be nice to see his shop and the things he’s passionate about before my parents and sister get there.
Darius parks his car in front of a cute peppermint-green shop. My favorite color. I stare at the building for a long moment, heart pounding. “I’ve seen this building before. I’ve drawn it.”
Darius cocks his head in question.
“I’ve had so many dreams about this building, but now I’m thinking they might have been visions. Every time I’ve been here, it was either with an older couple, an auburn-haired man, or a blonde woman.”
I step out of the car and take a better look around. In my dreams, there was never snow on the sidewalks, but I immediately recognize the buildings. Across the way is Rook’s Apothecary. Down the street is Bountiful Books. “Is the bookstore owned by a gorgeous Black man named Daniel?” I ask. “I think he has a crush on Jenny, the owner of Coffee’s Brew.”
Darius blinks at me. “Yes. Yes! You’ve had visions of Heart’s Hollow!”
Excitement thrums through our bond.
I nod. “I think this town was always meant to be my home.”
Darius holds the door to his tea shop open for me with a nervous smile.This is important to him.I can practically feel the pride radiating from him. I walk into the cute building and take in all the pretty décor.
Shelves are decorated with brightly colored glass bottles. The shelves are adorned with teacups and teapots. Various scents float around the room from the loose-leaf teas. I get hints of vanilla and citrus.
I place Cleo on the floor, and she walks off to go explore. Now that I know she’s a magical cat and my familiar, I trust she won’t get lost or get into trouble. Arms circle me from behind. I lean back against Darius. “What do you say? Wanna help me decorate our shop with Christmas décor later?”
Our shop.
I nod, stepping out of Darius’ embrace and spinning around. Damn, this place would look amazing with fairy lights and ornaments.
A pretty woman steps out from behind the counter. “Boss! You’re back.”
“Anna,” I say automatically, smiling at her. Her smile brightens, but I can tell she doesn’t recognize me. “Sorry,” I chuckle. “I recognize you from my visions. I don’t think we’ve ever actually met before.”
Anna looks relieved. “Oh, good! I felt bad for a moment. Well then, welcome!”
I blink at her. I just admitted to having visions to some random person, and she treated me like I was completely normal. I really am home.
“Anna, I’d like you to meet my fated mate, Kaleb.”
“Fated mate! Oh, gosh.” Anna throws her arms around me. “Come, tell me everything.”
Darius chuckles. “Will you keep Kaleb company for a few minutes while I do something?”
