Page 76 of Bargains with Benefits
“Maybe I should have, too,” I said with a shrug. “But I figured it out. And learned a lot.” My face grew somber as I shook the mix and poured it into four glasses. I glanced at Evelyn; she deserved to hear this, too. “My mom was the one who put it there. She wanted to keep me from my fae heritage and from the inn that Darius wanted to gift me.”
Even though she’d already heard this, Seraphina’s knuckles whitened as she gripped the shaker.
“I’m so sorry, Luna,” Evelyn said, tucking a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. If anyone knew what it was to have family not approve of a part of her, it was Evelyn.
“There’s nothing I can do about it now,” I said, oddly at peace. “As much as I’d love to ask her about it, I can’t. I’ll never know if she hated my fae heritage, and me by extension, or if she was so lost she truly thought she was protecting me. I do know Darius didn’t want to stay away. This whole thing got me thinking about how I’m as much fae as human, and I am oddly comfortable with that.”
Seraphina nodded, and Evelyn seemed hesitant but said, “We’re glad you figured it out.”
“Thank you both for all your help.” I took a deep breath. “If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to ask for a little more.”
The sound of ice and liquid shaking stopped, and Seraphina turned me to face her. “You can always ask us for help. You know that. What do you need?” Her gaze held mine with a seriousness she hadn’t expressed since she’d first hired me and told me not to spill on guests.
“I need your help filling the inn.”
“Isn’t Fae Charming helping with that?” Seraphina asked playfully. “Where is he, by the way?”
I bit the inside of my cheek. “He is helping, but we had decided on a plan that worked for all his past recommendations,and recently, I’ve been wondering if that will work for me. Or if that’s the way I want to do things.”
“What do you mean?” Evelyn asked.
“All his successful recommendations have been places that were fae establishments. They never said as much but presented the fae owners as purveyors of exclusive goods and services. Inviting the reader to seek out these uniquely qualified items.”
“And you don’t want to be that?” Evelyn asked.
“Well, I didn’t have a problem with it before, but when I realized how much my mom had an issue with my fae heritage and how much she thought Darius would have an issue with my human side, I realized I needed to be true to who I am.” My voice raised slightly as I gained confidence in my words. “I need to be both. I don’t want to be seen as only fae or only human. I’m both and want to be accepted for that—and I’m sure there are those who would welcome me in the community, like this place has.”
Seraphina smiled, and I swear she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye with her dish towel.
“So, what do we do?” Evelyn asked, but her mouth was already tilting into a smile.
It wasn’t until then that I noticed how quiet the tavern had grown. Seraphina and I still had our backs to the bar. I turned slowly, to find wide-eyed patrons staring, their drinks raised half-way to their lips. More people might have heard my impassioned speech than anticipated.
“Tell us where to go to support a place like that,” a voice called from the crowd.
My throat clenched, and I wasn’t sure I could get out the words. I looked helplessly between Evelyn and Seraphina.
“Cliff House Inn,” Seraphina said. “They have vacancies, especially if you’re looking to stay through to Long Night. And it’s the best view in the city of the sky for solstice.”
The crowd cheered and clinked their glasses. More than one group started talking excitedly about the need for a change of accommodations. It seemed some had also arrived today and required somewhere to stay. My heart swelled and tears pricked my eyes. They wanted a place like I described—a place like my inn, where all were welcome.
I mixed a few more drinks with Seraphina behind the bar before she drew beside me, bumping my hip in her familiar greeting. “You should get out of here,” she said. “Another group just left, heading to Cliff House. You should be there. Get some bread ready so you have your post-hike snacks for them in the morning.” She winked.
“Thank you, Seraphina,” I said, wrapping her in the tightest hug I could, not having the right words to express my gratitude.
“This was all you, Luna. The community here supports you, and, of course, so do we. Now go.”
35
Vincent
Adull roar emanated from Cliff House Inn that was both unexpected and simultaneously utterly welcome. Sleep-deprived and a bit frazzled, I wondered if it was imagined. I ran a hand through my unkempt hair. This wasn’t wind-swept perfection—I was a mess. Nothing could stop me from finding Luna, though. I was already much later than I’d promised.
I pulled open the door and stepped inside, and the sight brought an instant grin to my face. There were customers…everywhere. A couple chatted at the desk, each with a mug of tea in hand. It was mid-morning, and the smell of fresh-baked bread permeated the entire first floor as I searched for Luna.
Celebrating her accomplishments would be second on my list once I found her. First, groveling. I hadn’t returned last night, and I couldn’t imagine what she thought of that. All I needed was a chance to explain.
Two women sat in the high-back chairs in the library wheremy and Luna’s bargain had begun. I couldn’t regret our beginnings when it was what had brought us together. I hoped the women chatting animatedly while sipping tea appreciated the history of the seats in which they sat. Another woman curled in the corner, happily reading, glancing up every few pages to look out the window, watching the waves crash.
