He nodded again.Said nothing.
Because something had shifted—the Crossroads had chosen me and I knew it.I felt it.And it was time to stop pretending otherwise.
I leaned in and kissed his cheek, gentle and deliberate.“Good night.”
Then I went inside, closing the door behind me.I stood in the dark, listening to his footsteps fade.The truck door.The engine.And then he was gone.
With deliberate steps, I moved through the house, flicking on a lamp as I passed by.I set the Sun Disk on the kitchen table as I made my way out the back door.Then to the greenhouse.
My heart fluttered with nerves as I opened the door and stepped inside.There was a soft glow from the string of lights overhead.Inside, it was warm and damp, rich with the loamy scent of dirt and plant life.Flowers in pots stood along the workbench like sentries.
I paused inside the door looking for the telltale sign of pink fairy dust.
There.Pink fairy dust hovered at the end of the table, tucked inside a tiny garden house built her size.
“I owe you an apology.”My voice was loud in the quiet, small space.
Pink dust flickered.Then, Tani’s voice, sharp as glass.“You owe me more than that.”
“I do.I was—it was a shock, that’s all.”How could I make the Queen of the Fae understand learning Alice was my mother from a monster was the worst.“I didn’t know.”
Tani flittered out from her fairy home trailing glittering light.Then she poofed and made herself life size.Her hands were on her hips, her gaze razor sharp.She wasn’t ready to forgive me yet.
“Anyone with two eyes can see you’re her daughter.”Then she dropped her hands to her sides and puffed out a breath.“But… I suppose I can see why that’d knock you sideways.”
“I’m sorry, Tani.Can you forgive me?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and looked out through the panes of glass into the night.“I suppose I’ll have to if I want your help to get Oberon back.”
Which made me grin.“And you have my word.I’ll do what I can to help you.”
Her gaze shifted back to me, narrowed.“Good.You’re in it for good now, girlie.”Then she dropped her arms and scanned the area behind me.“So… where’s Mr.Hottie?”
I laughed.“I sent him home.”
“Spoil sport.”She pouted.
“It’s time I start figuring this out on my own,” I added.
“Sure,” she said, “but you could let him help.”She put air quotes around help and waggled her eyebrows.
I huffed.“Good night, Tani!”
“I’m just saying!”she called as I walked away.
As I turned to leave, laughter bubbled up despite myself.But it didn’t loosen the knot of resolve in my chest.
Tomorrow was coming.
And this time, I would be ready.
Chapter Twenty-One
IarrivedatEnchantedBlossoms as the sun crested the rooftops.The only way I could face the early hour was armed with a latte, a bag of scones, and determination.
The scones were a peace offering to Rylyn.
Morning light spilled across the black and white tile floor, creating slashes of light and catching on colorful vases in the nearby case.Inside, the shop smelled like earth and greenery and possibility.
