Page 101 of Love & Heart Braking

The most powerful.

I exchanged a look with Devereaux. That cleared up one question then. Maybe I wasn’t the only heart elemental left, but I was the top heart.

“Keep going,” he urged.

I read on:

A phenomenon commonly misconstrued by the general descendent population; heart braking (not heart breaking) is designed to retrain those who have displayed themselves as particularly disrespectful to all the heart has to offer.

In essence, to brake one’s heart is to halt another’s ability to love and be loved; to find companionship and to offer it; and to experience the warmth of any connection.

As such, any braking undertaken by the chosen of Venus’s line must be considered with great care. For once braked, the target’s heart will not be free until they have learned all they must learn, a process that previous chosen have reported as lasting the course of several decades to centuries.

I lowered the book.

“Heart braking,” Devereaux said. “You think that’s where heart breaking came from?”

Must be. “People misunderstood when they saw the effects on the target, I guess. This is…” Incredible.

I mean, I believed what was written, but I couldn’t believe Venus’s power chose me.

Devereaux leaned back. “A big responsibility.”

“That’s for sure. I’m not sure how to wrap my head around it.”

“That the arrow came to you?”

“That’s one part.” I frowned. “And also the intent of the arrow. I’m a creature of love. Protecting the heart is my calling. No wonder the arrow fills me with horror. I’m just not sure I could ever brake someone’s heart.”

Devereaux read over the page. “That’s a harsh lesson to learn. But you choose when to use it and not. The arrow can just take up a space in your wardrobe and never see the light of day, right?”

Hmm, Venus’s gifts weren’t just objects. I’d pissed off her power when I distanced myself from Devereaux and she took the bow back in retaliation. If I refused to use the metal arrow even when its use was warranted, then I could expect another sign from her.

“I’m not sure it’s that simple.”

He nodded. “How’s the other gift going?”

“Distracting to see ribbons flying everywhere. I’m learning not to let them make me appear like a total weirdo when talking with clients. The ribbons have shown me how much I tune out my love radar now. Really, they’re a visual of what I’d feel walking down the street if I fully opened myself to love all the time. They do give me more information though. There has to be more to them that I’m not understanding. It’s like Venus is telling me to pay attention to the friendship and family lines, too, not just romantic love.”

“Her power must be happy you’ve started up a friend dating agency then.”

Assuming anything to do with a goddess was a risky business, but I had a feeling he was right. “Rolli has trained the staff at Harmony—as much as he’s able. And we open the doors on Monday.”

“Any bookings?”

“No direct calls, but Sol and I are directing some of our Heart clients over. Our event the weekend after next should help to kick things off. And we haven’t advertised anything yet.”

Devereaux’s face softened.

I looked at him. “What?”

“Nice to see my girl taking over the world is all.”

My girl. Always got me. “Oh yeah?”

“Only very.” He pulled me back and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “I have a question for you. One that might scare you.”

“Are you kidding? I love those questions.”

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