Page 22 of The Purrfect Rival

Kalyna’s expression grew guarded. “Why do you ask?”

“Because I need to understand what he’s really after.”

She studied him for a long moment. The floating lanterns dimmed slightly, responding to her uncertainty.

“It’s called the Twinned-Tail Talisman,” she finally said. “A charm crafted during the founding of Enchanted Falls. It’s said to amplify a fox shifter’s natural illusion abilities—especially those with the rare twin-tail trait.”

“Like you,” Rust observed, his lion rumbling with pride at her specialness.

Surprise flickered across her face. “You know about that?”

“I’ve seen your council file.” He didn’t mention how many times he’d read it since their first meeting, memorizing details about her like a treasure hunter cataloging discoveries.

“Then you know how rare the trait is. The charm was created to help those with the potential to master their enhanced magic.”

“And in the wrong hands?”

“If the hands don’t belong to a fox, I don’t think anything could happen.”

Their conversation paused as a waiter approached with a dessert neither had ordered—a heart-shaped chocolate mousse decorated with delicate sugar flowers.

“Compliments of the chef,” the waiter announced with a smile. “For the couple celebrating their connection.”

“We’re not—” Rust began.

“This isn’t—” Kalyna said simultaneously.

Their denials tangled together, causing the waiter to look confused while the lanterns flared brightly in response to their shared embarrassment.

“A misunderstanding,” Rust clarified. “But thank you.”

After the waiter departed, they both stared at the romantic dessert between them, neither quite able to meet the other’s eyes.

“At least it looks delicious,” Kalyna finally said, breaking the tension.

“Silver linings,” Rust agreed, relieved when she laughed.

His lion urged him to feed her a bite—to watch her lips close around the spoon, to indulge in a ritual of sharing that bordered on courtship. With effort, he kept his hands firmly on his own utensils.

As they shared the unexpected dessert, night deepened around their secluded alcove. The conversation drifted back toward personal waters.

“How did you become mayor?” Kalyna asked. “Was it always your ambition?”

Rust gazed toward the misty waterfall in the distance. “No. I built Leonid Financial first, found I had a talent for investments. The mayoral position... that came after my father died.”

“I’m sorry,” she said softly.

“It was sixty years ago.” The pain had dulled but never truly vanished. “He was an exceptional mayor—fair, a visionary. My mother hoped I’d continue the family tradition sooner than later.”

“I remember your father as the mayor. But I never met or had any dealings with him. I also remember reading that the city council was taking over the mayoral job responsibilities until a new mayor was selected. So you took the position because of her?”

“Partly. But also because I knew what it meant to my father.” Rust rarely spoke of this to anyone. “When you live for centuries, family legacies matter differently.”

Kalyna’s eyes softened with understanding. “I know. My grandmother taught me fox magic through storytelling. After she passed, I continued the tradition with children at the library. It feels like keeping part of her alive.”

“Is that why you became a librarian? Family tradition?”

“No, that was pure selfish passion.” Her smile turned impish, sending his lion into a frenzy of interest. “I spent my childhood exploring dusty archives, finding magic in forgotten texts. Eventually they hired me to stop me from living there unofficially.”

---