Page 29 of Must Love Scones and Secrets
Unicorns were sensitive to magical changes.
Somethingwasbothering them.
Maybe there was something else I could do.
I sat down on the carpet of honeybloom violets and closed my eyes. I was a Rune elf from far-off frozen lands, but magical blood flowed within me. As an elf, I was tied to the land, even if I was a long way from home. And Iwasroyal. That gave me magical abilities that not everyone had. My personal magic granted me the ability to easily fix things. Could I use all my blessings to find the source of the unicorn’s problem?
Exhaling deeply, I tried to focus. It had been years since anyone in the royal family had the deep and strong magical gifts of our ancients. Even rarer were the gifts of a seer. However, I often suspected that Asa’s ability to get away with just about anything might have been due to more than just instincts. But still, I had to try. I closed my eyes, feeling the magic that flowed around me. The buzz of bees and the call of birds, not the sounds of waves and cracking ice, greeted me when I focused. I relished its softness. My thoughts got in the way when I tried to reach deeper. My mind drifted to a woman with flowing red hair who smelled of vanilla. Even as I thought of her, I could feel the runes on my arms warming. But I tried to push past that, to feel what the unicorns felt…
There was an odd bolt of energy, a strange shift.
Thunder rumbled in the distance, and I swore Ifeltlightning. Below the gentle hum of Moonshine Hollow was a wild magic. I could almost feel it, but it was just out of my reach.
But then, I felt something else.
A warm, glowing pink energy entered my space. As the magic drew closer, everything inside me felt soft, warm, and peaceful. It was such an odd sensation. It washed over me like unending waves of…
“Love,” I whispered, then opened my eyes to find Rosalyn hovering before me.
Her blue wings held her aloft and cast a golden shimmer around her. In one hand, she held a picnic basket. In the other, I saw a very curious-looking caticorn with its head poking out of a wicker carrier.
She smiled at me, the warm gaze washing through me.
“Rosalyn,” I said, surprised.
“Rose-and-strawberry scones, which are made with my top secret recipe, lemon-basil loaf, assorted meats and cheeses, and a bottle of bloomberry wine,” she said with a smile, gesturing to her basket. “And, I think I might have an idea about your unicorn problem.”
Smoke, who had been frolicking in the field with the unicorns, joined us, barking excitedly.
“And dog cookies,” Rosalyn added with a laugh.
I rose and strode toward her.
Whatever energy this place held, it made Rosalyn light up. She was beautiful. Beyond beautiful. Perfect. Like the Lady of Spring herself. My heart pounded in my chest. I had met the love of my life. All I saw, all I wanted, was her. I strode across the grass, took the picnic basket from her hand, set it aside, pulled her close, and kissed her passionately. I melted into the softness of her lips, the sweet vanilla scent clinging to her hair, and the butter-soft feel of her skin.
I’m in love.
I’m in love with a total stranger.
And, as if to confirm my suspicions, my runes glowed bright blue in agreement.
CHAPTER 11
ROSALYN
The giggle that had bubbled up in my throat faded when Bjorn crossed the field with purpose, grabbed me, and put such a passionate kiss on my lips that it took my breath away. I saw stars, my head feeling light, and the rest of me feeling… My gods, how strong he was. He held me against him like I weighed nothing. His lips were so soft, his mouth tasting sweet from…was that sugar blossom? I breathed in his heady scents of sage, leather, and the ocean breezes that had clung to his hair and clothes from lands far away.
My stomach knotted, and deep within me, I felt bubbling desire. Warmth flooded between my legs, and a surge of want crashed over me as I pressed my breasts against him and kissed him back, only to feel guilty.
I had let myself take a moment I hadn’t earned.
Giggling, I pulled back.
Bjorn looked at me with passion in his eyes. “Rosalyn, I lo?—”
When he saw the expression on my face, his passion gave way to confusion. “Rosalyn?”
I took his arms and turned him around.
