“You’ll get used to it.” She gives me a sympathetic look. “At least you’re only sparkling for one of them. Let me tell you about the time Bailey?—”
“When did I sparkle?” My eyes fly wide, betraying my horror.
She presses her lips together, trying not to grin. Once she controls herself, she says, “When Ash called you Kit in that weirdly affectionate tone.”
“It was disturbing,” Ryder says, pretending to shudder.
“It wasyummy,” Meg corrects, smirking at me. “Ryder is just jealous because you’re not sparkling for him.”
“Darn straight,” Ryder says, and then he grins at someone over my shoulder. “That doesn’t mean I’ll stop trying though.”
I turn, feeling my knees go weak when I find Ash right behind me.
The councilman gives Ryder a bland look, and then he turns his eyes on me. “Are you ready to go home? Or would you like to stay longer?”
I should probably take this time to get to know more people, but I find myself saying, “I’m ready.”
“Bye, Kit,” Ryder says, his emerald eyes teasing me.
Meg nudges him in the ribs, silently telling him to behave. He grins down at her affectionately…but maybe not as affectionately as she would like.
Poor Meg.
I was joking when I said half the town must be in love with the elf, but it seems that assessment might have been more accurate than I realized.
The cool evening air is welcome after the heat of the meeting hall. And I have plenty of time to enjoy it because Ash is stopped by half a dozen people asking questions that probably should have been addressed in the meeting.
Finally, we get away and walk down the street to the livery stable, where one of Hudson’s men already has Ash’s cabriolet and horse waiting.
“Ash!” someone hollers just as we’re about to take off.
She’s a high fae woman in her late fifties, and she looks a little eccentric. Breathing hard, she presses her hand to her chest like she had to run to catch up with us. “I’m glad I caught you.”
“Hello, Marjorie,” Ash says patiently, but his face says he’s annoyed. “What can I do for you?”
“Do I need one of those fae beast permits for Barnaby?”
“Barnaby is your husband.”
“Yes, but…” She lowers her voice. “He’s afae beast.”
“He’s a shifter.”
“Adragonshifter. I don’t want to break the law, Ash.” She looks up at him with an owlish expression. “Not again.”
Ash makes a sound like he’s suppressing an annoyed groan. “You know what? Why don’t you talk to Anna about this on Monday? She will be happy to assist you.”
Marjorie nods as if that’s excellent advice. “I’ll do that. Thank you, Ash.”
“Have a pleasant evening.” Ash shakes the reins, alerting his horse that we’re ready to go, and we leave the stable.
“You just pawned that woman off on your sister,” I whisper, trying not to laugh.
“Anna is better with people than I am.” He shakes his head. “I hate meetings.”
“You’re good at leading them,” I say. “Though you should have warned me you were going to make me introduce myself.”
He chuckles. “If I’d warned you, you would have stayed home.”
