Page 70 of Bargains with Benefits
Luna
We may have woken up in all the haze of a burgeoning relationship, but too quickly after Vincent left, I, too, had to return to my duties. I might have cleansed this room yesterday with my water magic, but it still needed a proper cleaning with a dust rag, mop, and bucket. I was scrubbing the floor when I heard the call from downstairs.
“Hello?”
I didn’t recognize the voice. Standing, I wiped my hands on my skirt and descended the stairs. Two women stood by the check-in desk. Their clothes were slightly rumpled, and each had a large bag at their side. Both gave every appearance they had been traveling for days. My heart beat faster, though I couldn’t quite put the why of it into a coherent thought.
“Can I help you?” I asked.
“I’m Nadia. This is Rachelle. We’d like to rent a room through Long Night if you have vacancy.” They had the good grace not to glance around the empty inn.
Guests. They wereguests.
“You want to stay here?” I asked, unable to stop the words falling from my lips. Vincent’s article wouldn’t come out for another few days. Besides unlocking the room, I’d done nothing differently.
Part of me hadn’t wanted to believe the magic Mom used had caused all the inn’s problems.
Nadia’s brow furrowed, and she glanced at Rachelle as if double-checking that this was, in fact, what they wanted to do.
“Yes, we do,” Rachelle said hesitantly.
Immediately, I realized I was not only driving away my first customers but also scaring them. I snapped into action. “Wonderful.” I clapped my hands together and moved behind the desk. “You’ll get our best room.” I pulled out a check-in form and gave them the price before handing them a key. “I’m Luna, the manager. I’ll be around if you need anything, and I live out in the cottage if you require assistance and can’t find me.”
They nodded, and I directed them to the room. I slumped into the chair behind the desk when they walked away. I pushed my hair back from my face in disbelief. “I have customers,” I whispered to myself. The bright smile crossing my face was unstoppable.
“Luna?” a more familiar voice called. Darius was at the inn’s entrance. I stood, making myself visible behind the desk, and he strode purposefully toward me. “I’m sorry to come. I know you said you needed time, but…I felt your magic last night, so I wanted to check on you.” His blue-gray eyes searched mine with concern.
“You can do that?” I asked.
A blush touched his cheeks. “I think it’s because we’re family, but, yes, I’ve felt your magic multiple times on this property.”
“The night the current swept me away?” I asked before I could think better of it.
He ran his hand through his hair and swallowed thickly. “Yes.”
“Well, I’m fine,” I said. He took a step back, and I realized that sounded a bit dismissive, which hadn’t been my intention. Even these few words between us had opened up so much about my magic, my fae self, that had been lost to me the last twenty-five years.
“Let’s have some tea,” I said, gesturing to the library.
He nodded and followed me to the kitchen. I had been baking fresh bread while I cleaned.
“Did I see customers?” he asked as I boiled water.
I let the excitement slip into my voice as I replied. “Yes! My first ones.”
“I knew you could figure it out, Luna.” His smile was warm. I wondered if he knew what Mom had done. According to the memory, he’d left after their argument. Maybe he had no idea if the room was sealed the next day when we departed. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be the one to tell him. Though, I guess he deserved to know.
“That smells great.” He gestured to the oven.
“Thanks. I was planning to do breakfast for guests. Fresh bread and some muffins. You can help me test this batch for tomorrow.”
He nodded, clearly wanting to say more, but maybe he wasn’t sure how. “I’m sorry last night ended up being so eventful.” He finished pouring the tea while I pulled the baked goods from the oven. “Whenever you’re ready, we’d love to have you back for a quiet meal.”
He carried the mugs as I pulled two muffins from the tray and gestured for him to lead us into the library. After setting the snacks aside on a table to cool, we took seats in the plush gold chairs, and when he offered me my mug, I held it in my hand for the comfort of its warmth. I searched his features as he performed a similar routine.
“Do you know what was wrong with the inn?” I asked. If I’d learned anything from my beginning with Vincent, it was that the truth helped, even when it hurt. My parents had both left so much out in everything I knew so far. I didn’t want that to continue.
He set his mug aside and ran his hand through his hair. A nervous habit, I guessed. I assumed it meant he knew what I was asking and wasn’t sure how to respond. “I suspect, Luna.” He cleared his throat. “It’s different than knowing, and I won’t accuse someone so important to you without proof, which I know I’ll never have.”
