Page 77 of Enchanted

“Harry?”

“Our guide.” He returned to his own seat. “He’s taking us on a nature hike this morning.”

“I still can’t believe you booked all those activities for us.”

“Me either,” he said, sighing dramatically as I took another sip of tea. “If I’d known about the whole benefits situation, I would’ve insisted we just stay at the cottage.”

This time, we both got up to fetch the kitchen roll.

Chapter 21

Rami

Our guide, Harry, met us at the cottage. He greeted Ethan first, shaking his hand with such enthusiasm that his glasses slid down his nose. “I’m the estate’s ecologist. You’ve picked a great time of year to visit.”

I shook his hand next. “We ended up here quite by accident, but we’re looking forward to exploring.”

“Oh, how fun!” Harry clapped his hands, bouncing on his toes. “Spontaneous trips are my favourites. Is there anything in particular that you’re interested in or would like to see?”

“Ethan’s a photographer,” I said, making him blush. “I’m sure he’d like to get some shots of any wildlife.”

“I don’t have my camera, just my phone,” Ethan admitted, shifting on his feet. “But I would love that.”

I had considered flying back to his house this morning to grab it, but there was no way I would’ve been able to explain how I’d managed to get there and back so fast. Also, getting into the house would have been an issue, given the wards.

That was before even considering the man inside, who I probably wouldn’t have been able to refrain from murdering for making Ethan sad.

When I’d checked in with Micah last night, after Ethan had gone to his own room, he’d informed me that they were no closer to tracking Damien Gaunt down. But Micah had flown here while I popped to the supermarket, adding his own wards while also keeping my mate safe until I returned.

With both mine and Micah’s wards surrounding the cottage, Ethan was as safe here as at the compound. Safer, even, because by staying here, there was no chance of Gloria accusing us of betraying our secrets.

“I can totally show you those spots,” Harry was saying as he led us down the path towards a waiting Range Rover. “There are plenty—whoa!”

He threw a hand out to make us stop. I immediately stepped closer to Ethan, my arm going around his shoulders and tucking him into my side. My power thrummed under my skin, ready to protect my mate.

But all that happened was our guide dropping to his knees. “Uh-oh, how’d you get out here, little guy? Come on, let’s get you home.”

My lips twitched in amusement as Harry gently scooped an earthworm into his palm. He carried it over to the grass, cooing to it as he gently nudged it off his hand.

“Sorry about that,” he chirped as he sprang back up. “Earthworms are a vital part of our ecosystem. I don’t want him getting trodden on.”

With that, he spun around and continued to the car. Ethan watched him go with an almost wistful smile on his face.

“Are you okay?” I whispered. My arm was still around him, so I gave his shoulders a little squeeze.

“Yeah,” he replied, his eyes still on our guide. “He’s like sunshine, you know? Reminds me of someone I used to be close friends with.”

My heart twisted. I suspected I knew exactly who he meant. Would bringing Matty back into Ethan’s life make him happy? Or would it cause more guilt and shame?

“Ready when you are,” Harry called cheerfully from the Range Rover.

Ethan bustled out from under my arm and jumped into the front seat beside Harry. The two of them started chatting away. Evidently, Harry was driving us to another spot to start the hike. A constant stream of chatter left his lips as he pointed out various flora and fauna we passed, taking each hairpin turn at breakneck speed.

I knew Ethan would be fine in the event of a crash, but Harry wouldn’t. I threw up a shield that covered the two of them, thankful I’d be able to heal any injuries Harry might sustain.

“Oh!” Harry said suddenly, cutting himself off mid-sentence. He slammed on the brakes, the tyres screeching as we came to a sudden halt. Thanks to my reflexes, I was able to grab Ethan’s shoulders so that he didn’t move even an inch.

He shot me a grateful look over his shoulder. He widened his eyes at me as if to say, ‘we might die here today.’ I chuckled and shot him a wink. Little did Ethan know he’d never been safer than he was right now.