Page 35 of Magic & Matchmaking
“Emma,” Riven started but I was already turning, running toward the door as the tears began to fall.
Chapter Seventeen
EMMA
Iswiped at the tears falling down my cheeks as I walked on the riverwalk next to Shrubble River. We’d had rain the last few days, so the water levels were higher than normal, and splashes of water sprayed the bottom of my skirt.
Of course Riven was going to leave. I’d known from the beginning he was only here temporarily. This wasn’t his home, not like it was mine. It was a place he visited when he needed a break. His real life wasn’t here. It was out in the world. Without me.
That had been why I’d spent so many years denying that I had feelings for him. I knew it wouldn’t work. Then he’d kissed me, and I’d lost all sense. I’d started to believe that maybe we could figure something out. But what solution could we possibly have when his life was out there and mine was here, in Thistlegrove?
Tears blurred my vision, and I bumped into someone, both of us falling on the path. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” I said, coming to a stand and pawing at the tears.
“It’s okay.” A feminine voice with a thick accent spoke, and I looked up. She had long black hair that flowed down to her waist and dark brown skin the color of russet. It was Sarise.
“I’m late,”she said. “I was supposed to meet Layla at the tavern. Thank you for introducing us, by the way. She’s so lovely.”
I sniffled, glad she hadn’t noticed I was crying. “Well, I didn’t do much. Just hosted the event. It’s a tradition at the tea shop.”
“Yes, I’ve been to many of them across the realm. Every time I come to a new city, I love to meet a new partner, have fun, and then I’m off again.”
I frowned, my stomach dropping. “You aren’t looking for a relationship?”
“Oh goodness, no.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “How could I have a relationship when I’m always traveling? Unless my partner was able to travel with me, and not many want that lifestyle. I don’t even know if I would want that anyway. I like my life the way it is. Fun, easy, uncomplicated.”
“Right.” Her words burrowed deep, digging into the wound already festering in my heart. She lived the same type of life as Riven. He’d never even said he wanted a relationship. He said he had feelings for me, that he had so much fun with me, but that wasn’t the same as wanting a life with me.
My chest tightened.
“Are you okay?” Sarise put a hand on my arm. “Do you want me to stay with you?”
“No. You go. Don’t want to keep Layla waiting.”
She nodded, looking unsure, but turned. I groaned as she walked off down the path and out of view. I was going to have to tell Layla. I’d encouraged her to get to know Sarise, and now I’d have to let her know that Sarise wasn’t interested in anything more than a fling.
Riven was leaving, Steeped in Love still didn’t like me, and I was going to be responsible for Layla’s heart breaking. Suddenly everything seemed so impossible. I let out a sob, then tripped over a rock, and stumbled straight toward the river.
I let out a shriek as I braced myself to be swept away when a hand grabbed my arm.
“Emma!”
A strong arm pulled me in, crushing me to a very familiar chest.
And I lost it. I sobbed into my father’s tunic, big heaping sobs that made my shoulders shake as tears soaked his orange shirt.
“Emma bear, what’s wrong?” He pulled me away from the river and toward a set of stone pillars that travelers often sat on to rest or to take in the view of the river and the fields beyond.
“I’ve made a mess of everything.” I wiped at the tears streaming down my cheeks. “The tea shop hates me,” I admitted. “The plan with Riven didn’t work.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” My father patted my knee.
“And I don’t blame it. I’m not good with my own love life, and I’m certainly not good with anyone else’s.”
My father was silent for a moment, staring at the rushing river in front of us. The sinking sun cast a golden sheen over the top of the water. “Does this have anything to do with Riven?”
I stiffened. “I told you our plan didn’t work. The fake relationship. The tea shop knows we’re not real.”
That must have been why it was still attacking me. Even when I thought real feelings were growing between us, it knew otherwise.
