Page 82 of Bargains with Benefits
This was a great start. We’d have plenty more time to celebrate the inn’s success.
In about an hour, when full dark fell, we would lead our guests and friends to the beach. Ambrose was already busy using his Vesten element to start the bonfires. Seraphina had closed the tavern for the night, and she and Evelyn had set up an impromptu bar on the beach, serving Solstice Sips to anyone in need of one.
“You should be proud,” Vincent said, kissing the back of my hand still interlaced with his, as we walked up the steps to the inn’s porch.
“I am,” I replied. “Thank you for believing I could do it—as me.”
He laughed. “You know you can do anything. You never needed me to tell you that.”
“Sometimes I am over here just faking confidence until I believe it,” I said quietly. “It’s nice to know someone else bought the act.”
He tugged gently on our intertwined fingers, pulling me to face him. “I bought the act the moment youaccidentallythrew your drink at me.”
We’d kept testing my magic. I didn’t need much moonlight to control my element. Darius was helping me understand its capabilities.
Vincent glanced up, probably thinking about the pull of my magic that had sent his drink flying at his face the night we met. The sky was dark. The solstice fell on a new moon this year; the moon was barely visible, but the power thrumming through my veins was now recognizable enough for me to realize it was there.
“So, it’s my magic you’re after,” I said playfully.
“You are magic to me. It has nothing to do with your element.” His wind swept in and wrapped around us even as he said it.
“Yourelement might have something to say about that.”
He glanced over his shoulder like his magic was a physical thing perched there. “We’re still in a heated debate about which of us brings you more pleasure.” He winked.
“I’ll never tell,” I replied, dragging him to the front door.
The inn was packed. So many people from town had shown up to celebrate.
“Hi Daisy, hi Earl.” I waved.
“Luna, this is Patricia and her partner, Sara,” Vincent introduced me to his boss, who was standing to the left of the door. I noted that Vincent and Patricia seemed to be on better footing with the new funding structure announced for the paper.
“Wonderful to meet you both,” I said, closing the door behind us.
Before it clicked shut, a large black bird flew in and landed atop the front desk. I stared at it as it tilted its head, examining the silver call bell. There was a sign that saidRing me if no one is presentnext to it. It allowed me to slip into the kitchen without guests waiting too long. My mouth hung open when the bird’s long black beak closed around the handle and lifted. It was ringing the bell.
“Excuse me,” I said as I left Vincent with Patricia and Sara and walked over to the desk. Vincent’s gaze followed as I slipped behind it, but he stayed put. I felt more than a little ridiculous as I cleared my throat and looked at the bird. “Can I help you?”
The sentence wasn’t out of my mouth before the bird transformed. My eyes widened as a man, fully clothed, appeared before me. He must be Vesten to shift from animal to fae like that. I’d never had someone do so right before me like this. He was tall, well over six feet, and had long blond hair messily tied back. His green eyes were bright with mischief at my surprise.
“I thought all were welcome here,” he drawled. “Don’t tell me it doesn’t apply to Vesten…or gods.”
My mouth remained open, trying to work through the order of his words and make them make sense. “Gods?”
Each of the fae courts was connected to one of the four gods. They were responsible for creating the fae, their courts, and granting the elemental magic. It was rumored that the gods had been seen on the continent again, some even working with the Compass Points to remove the recent mist plague.
“Of course you’re welcome…” Admitting I’d never paid too much attention to the gods didn’t seem like a great idea, but I struggled to find the name for the Vesten god.
Evelyn walked up at that moment. Her mouth hung open farther than mine. “Lord Arctos?” she whispered, sliding into the space beside me.
I knew her big brain would continue to prove useful. I let out a sigh of relief as she glanced between me and the being…or god, Lord Arctos.
“Can we help you?” Evelyn asked, realizing I still hadn’t said anything.
“Yes, I’d like one room, please.” He peered at her like he was trying to place her. “You’re not the proprietor here, are you?”
She shook her head and pointed to me while she went about the registration necessities.
