Page 13 of Must Love Scones and Secrets
I clapped off my hands and turned to Bjorn again. “And what can I get for you? Pink blossom tea? Maybe Midsummer blend? It’s my specialty brew,” I said, gesturing to the tray. “Midsummer pairs very nicely with my orange-and-thyme scones,” I said, then reached for a teacup. Then, I saw my favorite cup, the one with pretty pink butterflies painted on the side. Its handle was broken. “Oh, burnt ends,” I whispered, frowning. Sadly, I set it aside and reached for another, topping it off with Midsummer tea, which I handed to Bjorn.
When I gave the cup to the Rune elf, our fingers brushed as the cup passed between us.
When they did so, Bjorn gasped lightly. For the flicker of a second, I saw a sparkle of blue illuminate on his forearm.
Confused, I merely smiled. “Is my pixie magic working on you already?”
Bjorn looked at me, a mix of confusion and horror on his face, then set the cup down and turned and walked away.
Puzzled, my wings fluttered with annoyance.
Smoke whined, pawing gently at me.
“Was it something I said?” I asked.
The firewolf wagged his tail, came in for a head pat, then trotted off behind his master.
Confused, I pushed the odd encounter aside and then made my way around the room, passing out drinks and using my magic to keep the teapots pouring. The elders snacked on my confections, and everyone laughed and joked, warmed by Primrose’s magic and the enchantments in my scones. I eyed the Rune elf, who stood politely beside Elder Thornberry. When a small mob of the elders surrounded him, peppering him with questions, I could see the struggle behind his eyes. He wanted to escape. While his physical mannerisms were kept in check—perfect posture, respectful nods, and polite smile—his eyes told a different tale.
I paused a moment to study him. I had taken his abrupt departure as rudeness, but was that really it? Maybe I had just overwhelmed him. Had he gotten overstimulated? This whole scene was a lot, and he was from another culture, another city.
Primrose, who had been busy working the room, finally joined me.
“It’s going well, I think,” she said.
I nodded. “Yes, the elders seem very happy.”
“Yes, they do. Thank goodness,” she said, then followed my gaze. “I see you didn’t miss that tall mug of ale.”
“I never thought it was possible to spontaneously combust in response to someone’s sex appeal, but I think I was dangerously close.”
Primrose chuckled.
“I’ve already envisioned him charging in on a white horse to whisk me away to some romantic cabin where all the ravishing will occur.”
“Of course.”
“Unfortunately, my imaginings must have reached my eyes, and I’m pretty sure I scared him off.”
“How so?”
“Well, he kind of…ran away from me,” I said, then laughed. “Oh my gods, Primrose, he literally turned around and walked away from me mid-conversation,” I said, feeling my stomach drop. “I’m doomed. Cursed. Forsaken by the gods. Maybe my mother’s right. Maybe I should return to Spring Haven and settle down with a nice pixie man. First Grakkar, and now this? The firsttrulyinteresting man to step into Moonshine Hollow and… Maybe I had hearts floating around my head. Do I seem desperate? I feel desperate.”
Primrose gave me a sympathetic smile. “I’m sure that wasn’t it.”
I studied Bjorn once more.
He leaned down and spoke to Elder Thornberry in a low tone.
“Right, right,” the elder said. “Friends, I must see Bjorn to the unicorns now.”
Bjorn smiled with what looked like relief.
“The rest of you, enjoy the breakfast. Delicious as always, Rosalyn! And very beautiful, Primrose,” the elder called, garnering our attention.
I gave the elder a polite smile.
When I looked toward Bjorn, he was already headed out the door. Smoke, however, paused and looked back at me.
