Page 155 of Love & Heart Braking

Resisting the urge to cackle like Soleil, I retreated into the bathroom.

When I exited minutes later, espresso martini in hand, the pair were in animated conversation. My whole life I’d forced my power back, terrified of the repercussions, but this entire nightmare with the twelve had me realizing that I’d been cutting off one of my limbs.

If I got through this bullshit, then I had to change that. I was a heart elemental and born to spread love.

I walked into the conservatory and joined Rolli at the Yearning Harmony booth.

“Lunas and I are full next week,” he said proudly. “The week after is starting to fill up too.

Yes! Maybe I should organize a friendship event next, help bulk up numbers there. Word of mouth was the real winner, but that took time. “Great work. That should keep Lunas satisfied.”

“He’s easily bored,” the cupid said. “But he does have great ideas when asked. He just doesn’t offer them without prompting.”

Good to know. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks.”

“Thank you for doing something about that couple in the hall. They’ve been annoying me all night.”

He’d felt that? I winked, not replying out loud.

Wandering around the tables, I helped to keep people’s energy high, dropping hints on occasion when I sensed good friendship and love matches. When they were really good, I couldn’t resist dragging them to sit next to each other, going as far as to tug a woman all the way across the conservatory to a woman on the other side—another pink and purple braid that meant amazing things would likely happen.

The hours ticked by, and then the love and friendship seekers were floating out of the doors into Juno Park. I watched as couples and small groups of new friends wandered into the night and listened to their plans to continue to Mercury’s Bend for more drinks.

That made me happy.

“We did it,” I whispered to Sol. Wherever she was right now, my bestie would absolutely be consumed with wondering how this event was going.

“That was fun,” Enzo said. “Did we get a lot of sign-ups?”

Rolli and Annya came over with their boards.

“Our waiting list at Hearts is long again,” Annya told me. “I’ve booked up Kiki for two weeks. Most people who came tonight have been to a previous event or know someone who has been. That’s good, huh?”

Sure was.

Rolli flicked through the pages on his clipboard, then handed it over.

“Harmony is off to a great start,” I said after flipping through his sign-ups. At least I thought so. The number of bookings looked better anyway. Soleil likely had actual analytical ways of figuring out success.

“Hey.” Enzo stiffened suddenly. “Can we help you?”

A muscled descendant stood over at the entrance. I couldn’t tell his type or if his surliness was due to his thick eyebrows or his expression.

“I’m looking for Cerys Concordia,” the man replied. “I have a message for her.”

I held up my hand. “I’m she.”

I walked closer, my footsteps slowing when the man didn’t make a move toward me.

He waved an envelope. “Here it is.”

My stomach flipped. “Cool. I guess part of your job description is to put it in my hand.”

The man’s gaze narrowed. “Not my problem if you don’t want it.”

I did. But this guy was pinging my suspicion radar. “Okay.”

Turning away, I returned to my friends, who were looking on with interest.

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