Gelsey nodded. “One of the many Magical families that made it into Aterna before the Shadow War.”
Maeve couldn’t understand.
“You’ve never been to the capital city, Crystalmore, have you?” asked Gelsey.
Maeve shook her head. Even when Mal had attacked the city, shortly before Reeve erased Aterna from their minds, she wasn’t there.
“Oh!” She laughed sweetly. “You’ll be in for a surprise then.”
Just before Gelsey closed the door on her way out, Maeve stopped her once more.
“Flowers would be fine,” she said. “Thank you for asking.”
Chapter 25
She yanked open the door to the hall where Maxius lay, mouth open and prepared to tell Gelsey to go away. Her mouth snapped shut as she took in Reeve, standing on the other side with one arm behind his back. She kept her hand on the door, prepared to close it in his face. He spoke before she even had the chance.
“I have a single proposition.”
Maeve’s brows raised, hiding half her frame behind the door. “Oh, suddenly I’m to be included in the plans?”
Reeve talked over her. “You eat with me every meal, and we can begin conversations towards a mutual trust.”
Maeve’s eyes narrowed. She frowned, disliking the idea she was the one undeserving of his trust when he was the one piling up lies and always keeping things from her.
“Every meal, meaning?” she asked hesitantly.
“Breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” said Reeve casually. “And you must actually eat.”
Maeve looked away from him, annoyed.
“I haven’t come empty-handed,” said Reeve.
Maeve looked back at him. He pulled from behind his back a single book, newly bound. He held it on display for her.
The Witch of Whitehaven Manorby Evelyn Starbound. Reeve flipped open the inside cover, where a sparkling signature swirled across the page in blue ink. Maeve’s face relaxed instantly.
“Where did you get that?” she asked with awe. “I’ve never seen that title.”
“She wrote it just for me as a special request,” said Reeve with a smile.
Maeve’s mouth fell open.
Reeve flipped open the pages and said, “Did I neglect to mention even your favorite author isn’t immune to the effects of such a handsome Immortal such as myself?”
Maeve rolled her eyes.
“Do you want it?” he asked.
Of course, she wanted it. “Obviously,” she snapped. “A single book in exchange for spending three meals a day with you doesn’t sound like a fair trade.”
“But it’s not just the book, is it?” said Reeve. “It’s the beginning of our ally-ship.”
Maeve hesitated. “I will consider it.”
She held out her hand, and Reeve laughed.
“You don’t get the book until you come to breakfast in the morning,” he said, his arrogant grin blown wide across his face.
