Page 28 of Enchanted Hero
“I asked you a question during the blackout, but you didn’t respond.” She breathed deeply. “Where did you go?”
He clenched already taut muscles. Untruths were necessary to safeguard his people, yet this woman somehow saw beyond his mask. If she discovered the truth… “I didn’t go anywhere,” he said firmly. “I was right next to you.”
“Are you sure?” Her gaze never wavered. “The whole time?”
“Where else would I be?”
She opened her mouth, closed it. Would she outright accuse him? Yet she asked no more, not then or as they walked through a crowd that grew calmer as distance and time grew from the incident. Yet snippets of conversation shared it had not been forgotten, and a quick glance at the news – theinternationalversion – showed fervent interest in both it and the tornado.
Despite everything, he relaxed as time passed. Thankfully no more incidents occurred in an afternoon he somehow still enjoyed, no doubt solely due to the woman next to him. Yet he couldn’t quite ignore the discussions around him, the sideways glances or the cell phone videos speculating on the mysterious man’s – his – identity. The damage was unknown, the ramifications uncertain. The outcome… concerning.
The quest that brought him to Everleigh’s side had changed, expanded to encompass more than business. Despite their short acquaintance, an attachment was forming, a bond he couldn’t deny. When he sat next to Everleigh in a classic convertible during the parade, a sense of pure rightness descended. She smiled widely as she waved – animated, joyful and absolutely gorgeous. She was always lovely, yet pure happiness made her irresistible. For a few minutes, she forgot he was her perceived enemy, even if he never truly was.
Was this what the fortune teller meant? Despite his denials, the old woman truly did see a sliver of the real him. What had she seen in her visions?
So many questions swirled, and yet one burned above all others: When Narissa told him to seize what was his, did she mean Everleigh? If matters were as they were rapidly appearing, there could be only one conclusion.
He’d just have to keep Everleigh.
The fluff of strawberry cotton candy melted in her mouth, syrupy, sweet and delicious. It was one of many treats Everleigh had enjoyed this day, myriad delights tempting all the senses. Now the late afternoon sun cast an amber glow on the colorful tents, warming the fairgoers as they laughed and chatted, emerging from the day’s last showings. It was almost time for the gala, and they were strolling the grounds in the few minutes before they had to prepare. Despite the incident with the magician, the day had beenmagical, and no matter how she tried, Everleigh couldn’t convince herself it was the fair.
She simply loved spending time with Alexander.
Something had changed between her and the businessman. As if they’d been friends for years, he drew her into conversation, sharing stories that made her smile and laugh and imagine. Minutes passed like seconds, and hours minutes, and the world somehow seemed brighter with him by her side.
Of course, the events at the magic show arose repeatedly, in countless conversations all around them. Alexander had been present at both mystical events, and for a crazy few moments she’d considered whether he could have anything to do with the impossible events. She’d regained sanity a minute later, discarding the fantastical theory. He couldn’t possibly be some sort of supernatural being. Although when the theaters lights had blackened, she’d asked Alexander if he was all right.
He hadn’t responded.
He must not have heard her, even though they were close. And his reluctance to believe in anything out of the ordinary was just stubbornness. The fact that talking about it seemed to upset him was also pure coincidence. He wasn’t hiding anything.
And if she kept repeating that to herself, maybe she’d believe it.
“Is there anything you’d like to do before the gala?” He squeezed her hand. “You look worried.”
Did he suspect her thoughts? She wouldn’t share them, at least not yet. She needed a distraction.
She stopped at the strongman game, where a behemoth of a man was swinging a mallet down on the thick base. The puck rode up, reaching “Super Strong” but falling short of “Strongest Man in the Universe.” Onlookers cheered.
He tried again without success. Another man, even more muscular, came next, accepting a kiss from a laughing woman. It was of little help, as he scored even lower.
“You can’t win,” she whispered to Alexander. “I read about it on a local exposé. The company rigs it so it’s impossible to get to the top. You’d truly need superhuman strength to ring that bell. Of course, when the vendor demonstrates, they adjust it so it looks easy.”
Alexander rubbed his hands together. “Do you mind if I give it a try?”
“You can’t resist a challenge, can you?”
He roamed his gaze over her, electrifying her with pure heat. She ignored the flash of excitement. “Come on.” She led him to the line.
“Look, folks. It’s our guest of honor. You think he’s powerful enough?” The vendor gave a cocky grin. The lanky, bald man was fit but not nearly as muscular as the players. “Let me show you how it’s done.”
The man briefly touched the console, and Everleigh nudged Alexander. When he swung the mallet, the puck soared easily to the bell. “And that’s how you win.” He swiped his hand under the console again. “Ready to go, big guy?”
With a neutral expression, Alexander took the offered mallet, then stepped in front of the pole. He lifted the heavy tool. “Now hold on a moment.” The vendor stopped him with an outstretched hand. “You can’t swing just yet.”
Alexander put the mallet down. “I can’t?”
“Of course not. Not without a kiss for good luck.”
