AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I elbowed her in the ribs. “Let’s go.”
She paid for her selection, and I attempted to browse book covers until she returned. Unfortunately, their history section didn’t hold much of interest. I resisted glancing over at Nigel until we were about to leave. When I did, he looked up from the book he was reading, met my eyes, and smiled. I waved and followed my aunt through the door.
“Well, that was productive,” Aunt Vivian said. “I get my shopping done, and you manage to run into possibly the most attractive young man in the entire town. Did you get his number, or whatever it is you young people do these days?”
“He asked me to dinner.” The cold air did nothing to chill my still warm cheeks. I tugged my hat over my head, hoping the earflaps might manage to hide some of my blushing.
“Well, then. A gentleman who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to ask for it. I like that. And you said yes, of course.” When I didn’t respond immediately, she clutched my arm with her free hand. “You did say yes, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” It thrilled me that Nigel had been so clearly interested. I pushed away the tiny thought that something wasn’t quite right and blamed my hesitation on the fact that I’d had such bad luck with guys recently.
“Good. Once we find you a boyfriend here, you’ll never want to leave.” She grinned. “When’s your date?”
“Tonight. And I’m not looking for a boyfriend. It’s just one date.” Nigel appeared to have everything I thought I wanted in a guy, but I was nowhere near ready to think of him as a potential boyfriend.
“Tonight? My. He certainly doesn’t waste any time, does he?”
I shook my head. “My thoughts exactly.”
“Did you see those biceps, though? And that hair?” My aunt sighed and fanned herself. “I wish my hair had half as much body as his does.”
I giggled. He did have nice hair. Dark hair, cut in a sleek short and professional style, but thick on top and shiny. It made you want to run your fingers through it. Only, shiny probably meant product. Guys and hair product were not a good combination, in my experience.
“What time is he picking you up?”
“Seven.”
“Good. We still have time to stop at a few more stores. Then I’ll get you home so you’ll have plenty of time to get ready.”
“Will Uncle Oscar be upset that I’m not staying home with you two this evening?” I needed to be spending more time with him, not less. But one dinner out couldn’t hurt, so long as I could convince him at tea to let me help him, at least while Liam was away.
“Oh, no, dear. He wants you to enjoy your visit. Besides, we’ll be home in plenty of time for you to have tea with him and catch up. Now, this may be a small village, but we happen to have an amazing bakery.” She started listing off more potential treats we might bring home for tea, but my thoughts drifted back to the temple ruins and the paper Liam had told me about. I was sure there must be a connection. Perhaps the legends had it all wrong and Godda had been some beautiful temple attendant whom Edric had met on one of his visits there. It was time to find out what my uncle had to say on the subject.
Thinking of Liam made me feel a little guilty about saying yes to dinner with Nigel. But I reminded myself that Liam had no claim on me. So what if I’d kissed my uncle’s secretary? It didn’t mean anything. He’d left without saying goodbye. And, besides, Nigel looked like he was more my type.
Mother felt stronger after resting most of the morning. I’d left her sitting up in bed, talking with Fiona, and stepped into the hall to find Arabella. Every minute I spent here was time I should be spending searching Oscar’s artifacts for something that would help us. I needed to get back to Lydbury.
I found Arabella pacing outside Mother’s cottage.
“Hey,” I called.
Arabella stopped and turned to face me. “How is she?”
“A bit better.” I sighed. “She insists that she won’t last much longer. Fiona is talking with her now.”
“We’ll need her magic to destroy the artifact, once you find it. There has to be something that can help her keep her strength, even if it’s just for a little longer.” She crossed her arms and frowned.
I ran a hand through my hair. “I know. I need to get back to Lydbury, but I don’t want to leave her.”
“Go see your sire. Maybe he can help. If we can’t find something to help her hold on, I’m going to need you here to help me protect Fi.”
I nodded. “Fine. Where is he?”
Arabella shook her head. “I heard he’s been spending time near the Falls. But he may be on one of his pilgrimages again.”
“All right. I’ll start at the Falls and see what I can find. I won’t be gone long.”
I walked to the edge of the trees and concentrated on pulling my magic up to the surface. There wasn’t time to waste worrying about being out of practice, but knowing Arabella was watching made me nervous. I closed my eyes and imagined my sire as I’d last seen him, standing in front of the glassy pool at the foot of Faerie Falls. When I opened my eyes, I was standing in front of that pool, but there was no sign of him. The magic cloaking this place was thick and newly patched. Other than that, there were no obvious signs that he had been here recently.
