Page 50 of Bargains with Benefits
“Do you want me to walk with you?”
She waved me off. “No, you stay. It’s a quarter moon tonight. I need the walk and the moonlight to clear my head. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I wasn’t sure how things had worked out the way they had, but I couldn’t help but think they’d gone entirely in my favor. It only occurred to me after Luna left what we’d actually need to do at Darius’s house. She was bringing me to snoop. At least, that had been the original plan. We’d need to get into his study and search for any evidence of his attempt to bribe the governor to stop the school from being built. Luna said she still wanted to do it, no matter her father’s apparent change of heart. That part, I understood. I’d want to know, too, if he were being nice to my face but secretly tearing down everything I believed in behind my back.
Luna’s words about wanting me there with her warmed my heart as much as they sent chills down my spine. She wanted me there in case she learned the worst. She wanted someone who cared about her to be with her if the worst was true.
I downed the rest of my drink. I’d do it, of course; I’d prioritize her, but if that occurred, it would also mean I had what I needed to expose him.
23
Luna
When we’re nervous, we make bread.I kneaded a batch of dough the following morning. My cottage was usually my refuge. The hanging plants and ocean scent were usually a calming balm. Ever since I’d realized the problem may be inside me—with magic I apparently had, and my inability to use it—my nerves had followed me everywhere.
Even Darius thought I had to be the one to save the inn.
I wasn’t sure what to make of that. I hadn’t wanted to press him on it when I was still learning so much about the magic myself, but it appeared he at least suspected something. What did that mean about who had placed the magic on the inn? If Evelyn was right, there could only have been two people in the supposed memory. I didn’t like where the evidence was pointing.
So many of my questions had no answers, and the only thing I knew to do was knead the dough until it no longer stuck to my fingers.
As of late, I’d been lucky to make bread when I had visitors, either Evelyn and Seraphina to help clean or the group arriving today to test my magic. I wasn’t sure what I’d do when I was back to much less company at the inn.
Or maybe there won’t be a cozy cottage here for me to work in. Perhaps it will be sold and repurposed, so it won’t even matter.More unhelpful thoughts slid into my mind as I worked. The thoughts might be a possible future, but dwelling on negativity gave me nothing.
Instead, I’d focus on how to test my magic.
I remembered when Darius visited the village where Mom raised me. I’d been young, but he had been such a novelty in my childhood that the memory stuck with me.
“We’re going to play a game,” he’d said.
Our house had been small, with only one bedroom for me and Mom. He’d led me outside to play. Mom stood with her arms crossed on the step, but she gave me a tight smile before looking to the sky.
Darius had a bowl of water with him. He asked me to grab it and pull it to me. When I tried to do so physically with my hands, he laughed. “No, sweetie, with what’s in here.” He patted his chest. He spoke so warmly then. What had changed?
I looked at Mom, but she was determined not to watch. She stared steadfastly into the distance.
“I…” I stumbled, not wanting to disappoint him—not wanting our game to end. “I’m…I don’t know what to do.”
He set the bowl down as he glared over his shoulder at Mom. “You are half-fae, sweetie. That means you might have magic like me.” He tipped his palm up, and the water from the bowl leaped into it, swirling around like a self-crashing wave, never leaving the confines he gave it. My mouth opened wide.
“I can do that?” I glanced at Mom, who still refused to meet my gaze. She didn’t stop him, though. Mom was near enough tohear his words, to intervene if she thought he was saying something wrong. She didn’t.
“We don’t know, Luna. Since you’re a mix of me and your mom, you might not, but if you do, I want to help you learn to use it.”
I nodded, pretending to understand things that I couldn’t comprehend.
“So, close your eyes and focus on something in here.” He pointed to his chest again. “Magic comes from the heart of ourselves. You must feel it inside before the water will listen to you.”
“What does it feel like?”
He tilted his head, a reassuring smile crossing his face. “I think it’s a little different for everyone, but maybe like peace? Something calming?”
I looked at the wave crashing in circles on his palm. “That is calming?”
He shrugged. “It is to me. Now you try. Once you find the spot inside, ask it to come to you.”
With a final, unmet glance at Mom, I did what he said. My eyes closed, and I felt around inside for something peaceful.
