Page 34 of Frost and Felines

"You helped," she reminded him, surprising herself with how natural it felt to lean into his touch now.

"Only because you ordered me around so effectively." His grin turned playful. "She's quite bossy when she wants to be."

"Well, someone has to keep you in line," Mallory shot back, making the Andersons laugh.

"That's what makes a good marriage," Mrs. Anderson nodded approvingly. "Finding someone who complements and challenges you."

Mallory caught herself thinking how right that felt - how Kieran's strength balanced her caution, how his playfulness drew out her hidden smile. How perfectly their hands fit together, still linked on the table.

"More wine?" Kieran offered, his voice a low rumble that sent pleasant shivers through her.

"Always," Mallory answered, letting herself enjoy the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled at her.

For just a moment, she could pretend this was real - that she deserved this kind of happiness again. That the storm inside her could be calmed by his steady presence.

The rest of dinner passed in a blur of laughter and shared glances, each moment feeling more natural than the last. When had pretending with him become so effortless? When had Kieran's touch started feeling like everything she's been missing?

Mallory lay in her plush suite bed that night, staring at the intricate crown molding while snow drifted past her window. The mattress cradled her like a cloud, but sleep remained elusive. Her thoughts kept drifting to Kieran - his infectious laugh, the way his auburn hair shone in the firelight, and how his strong hands steadied her when she stumbled this morning.

"You're being completely ridiculous," she whispered to herself, rolling onto her side. But the empty space beside her only emphasized what her heart already knew.

She had fallen for him. Hard.

The realization sent a jolt of electricity through her body, making the wind outside howl. Mallory forced herself to take deep breaths, trying to calm the storm that threatened to build with her rising emotions.

"One week," she reminded herself. "The bridge will be fixed in one week, and this fairy tale ends."

But the thought of leaving caused her chest to suddenly ache. The Hearthstone had become more than just a temporary shelter. The staff truly felt like family with Charlotte's motherly wisdom and Amy's sweet enthusiasm.

And Kieran... God, Kieran. The way he commanded everyone's attention without trying, how his presence filled every room he entered. How he could switch from playful banter to fierce protectiveness in a heartbeat. The gentle way he touched her, like she was precious but not breakable.

"Stop it," Mallory scolded herself, burying her face in the pillow. It still held traces of his cologne from when he'd sat there earlier, going over the week's events.

Lightning flashed outside, illuminating her room. Her magic reacted to her inner turmoil, making the air crackle with electricity. This was exactly why she couldn't let herself fall deeper. Her powers were too dangerous and too unpredictable. She lost Eli - she couldn't bear to lose anyone else.

"I won't risk hurting Kieran," she whispered into the darkness. "I won't risk destroying everything he's built here."

But even as she made that promise, tears slipped down her cheeks. The thought of returning to her empty house, of never seeing Kieran's bright smile or feeling his steady presence beside her - it hurt more than she had expected.

Sleep finally came, but her dreams were filled with blue eyes and the echo of a laugh that made her feel like she was coming home to where she belonged.

16

KIERAN

The crash outside made the lobby windows rattle. Kieran's head snapped up from where he had been reviewing the daily itinerary with Mallory at the front desk. Through the glass windows, he saw sparks dancing across fallen power lines.

"Everyone stay inside!" He vaulted over the desk, pressing a hand to Mallory's shoulder as she started to follow him. "Stay here."

The bitter December wind hit him as he burst through the front door. A massive utility pole lay sprawled across the parking lot, its wires still crackling with live current. If it had fallen just a few feet to the left, it would have crushed Mrs. Chen's minivan - with her kids still inside.

His tiger instincts bristled at the near miss. This wasn't just petty sabotage anymore. This was getting dangerous.

"Oh dear, what an unfortunate accident." Gregory's smooth voice drifted from down the sidewalk. The chaos witch stood there in his expensive wool jacket, not a hair out of place despite the wind. "I do hope your insurance covers Acts of God."

"Cut the crap, Gregory." Kieran's voice came out in a growl. "You could have killed someone."

"Such accusations." Gregory pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. "I'm merely a concerned neighbor checking on the commotion."

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