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He shook his head, his beard tickling the sensitive skin of my neck. “No, I’m just repeating what the courier told me, that it was your next assignment ‘for your review.’”
I couldn’t help but pout a little. “I suppose I knew this was coming, but I haven’t even been back a full day yet. You’d think it could wait a week?”
Emrys chuckled against my neck, sending chills down my spine. “I’m sure you can open it later. You’ve earned some flexibility from the old dame.”
“I wouldn’t let her hear you call her old.” I sighed and turned around within his arms so we were face to face, which was when I saw the second envelope in his hand. My heart skipped a beat as I took it from him and read the return address, recognizing the florid script: “Mom? It’s been years since we last spoke!”
Emrys shrugged but remained silent, so I continued talking to myself out loud as I opened up the letter and skimmed it.
Dear Sera,
Your grandmother has informed me you’ve learned of your father’s faery heritage. I’m sorry I kept it a secret from you, but as Grams said, I had my reasons.
I’m so happy to know you’ve found your place in the world. I hope you’ll be able to forgive me for being absent from your life for so long. Your grandmother has invited me to visit and I hope that you’ll extend me the same courtesy. Perhaps we could even discuss your father.
I look forward to seeing you again, my darling daughter.
All My Love, Mom
A tear slipped down my cheek, and Emrys swiped it away with his thumb. “What’s wrong?” he asked in a gentle tone.
“Nothing bad. She says she’s coming for a visit!” I whispered, clutching the letter close to my chest as if it might vanish at any moment.
“Oh, that’s wonderful!” he exclaimed, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me back against him again.
When Emrys pulled back enough to look me in the eye, I felt like he was looking right into my soul and could see every part of me laid bare before him. It was both humbling and empowering at the same time. He held onto my shoulders as if he wanted to say something more, but then hesitated before continuing with a smile on his face like he had an idea or thought brewing in his mind that he wasn’t sharing with me yet.
“You’ve lived separately from the supe community for so long.” He leaned forward then kissed my cheek before continuing on. “Dara seems intent on putting your mage skills to work for the family business right away. Are you ready for that?”
I looked into his dark brown eyes, and realized he wasn’t doubting my ability to step up, just asking if I wanted to. I knew the answer.
“I’ve never been one to sit back and wait on life to happen for me, Emrys. Now that I have control over my magic, I’m eager to flex my mage muscles.” I bit my lip, glancing away from the intensity in his gaze, taking in the immense library around us before looking back. “Will my mates support me? Will you support me? Because there’s going to be an element of risk in any job. I can’t imagine Franc will, not after what he said earlier.”
Emrys placed his hands on my shoulders. “I will. Heck, we’ll all support you in your career. Even Franc. Even if it’s dangerous. It’s a part of who you are, and it’s a life you’ve waited far too long to start.”
“You’re not worried about my safety? That’s all the others have gone on about this morning.”
I felt Emrys’ wry smile all the way into my toes. “They’re just rebounding over the recent stressful events, which they’ll get over. I, for one, am not worried about you. I’ve brought you back from the brink of death once, and I’ll do it again.”
I let out a laugh over his dark humor. “Your overconfidence is reassuring, but infectious. You may have to spend some time convincing the others.”
“I’d be happy to, mate. Now,” he said, a wicked glint in his eyes, “can I show you what I found?”
I nodded and then accepted his hand. Emrys led me out of the library, down a corridor, and outside through a pair of arched, tall glass-paned French doors. The early-morning sunlight seemed to sparkle with energy. The scent of fresh grass and blooming flowers hung in the air. I could feel the life of the garden seeping into my pores, rejuvenating me after the long night. I turned a circle, taking in all the beauty around me.
He gestured to the tall grasses, which were swaying in the wind despite there being no breeze where we stood in the middle of the garden. I reached out with my mage sight and gasped at what I saw. The plants were alive with magical energy!
“This is amazing!” I exclaimed, throwing my arms out wide. The sun warmed my skin, and a light breeze blew against my hair, causing it to fan out around me. “I’ve never seen anything like it, especially not in the heart of the city.”
“I bet Dara gifted you this property knowing how your mage and faery magics would recharge just by a walk in these gardens,” Emrys said.
He took my hand, and I let him lead me through the tall grasses. They swayed back and forth in the magical breeze, tickling my legs. When we reached the center of a circle of standing stones, Emrys stopped and turned back to me. “I thought you’d like to see this place. The energy here feels different from the rest of the gardens.”
I felt the energy of the stones all around us, and I had to wonder if that was what made me feel so light-headed. Like I was floating on air.
“Are these enchanted?” I asked, my voice little more than a whisper.
“It feels that way,” Emrys nodded. “The moment I came across this, I knew I had to show it to you,” he explained.
