Page 126 of Hand-Fasting and Other Hazards
“The lies,” Lochlan replied.
Wulfric’s lips twitched, something that wasn’t quite a smile ghosting at the edges of his mouth. “Which ones?”
“All of them.”
For a long moment, Wulfric studied him, his gaze sharp and searching. His expression shifted from carefully projected indifference to understanding, then something closer to pride.
“I heard what you said yesterday,” Lochlan went on. “I disagree. I need to be the one to tell her, and it needs to be now. It can’t wait until Samhain.”
His chest ached at the memory of Nia walking in on them at the manor, suspicion flickering behind her eyes. The distance between them had widened every second he’d held on to Wulfric’s secret.
No more.
Lochlan pulled out his phone and messaged Nia before he could talk himself out of it.
Me
Can I meet you at your office? Please. I need to talk.
He would bring her home and show her everything. He only hoped he wasn’t too late.
CHAPTER 42
Nia
“NOT ALL IS WHAT IT SEEMS IN STELLA RUNE?” —THE STELLA RUNE GAZETTE
Nia walked briskly through the streets of Stella Rune, the cool morning air brushing her cheeks as the town slowly came to life. Early commuters filled the roads, their footsteps steady and purposeful, echoing her own.
She told herself she felt better after last night. Not because everything was fixed, but because for a moment they had simply been themselves. Awkward. Sweet. Honest. And it had felt perfect.
Lochlan wasn’t hiding anything. Maybe she was just looking for reasons to doubt the match her father had forced on them both.
Lost in thought, she didn’t notice the figure in front of her until it was too late—they collided, the impact jolting her out of her reverie.
“Oh!” Nia stumbled, steadying herself as she looked down. Recognition flickered almost instantly. “Naked Nancy?”
The woman blinked, startled, then let out a light laugh. “Oh, my apologies, dearest…” Her voice trailed off and her brow furrowed as she hesitated. “What did you just call me?”
Nia shook her head. “Nothing. You’re Nancy, right? I met you the other day.”
Nancy’s face lit up as she clasped her hands together. “Yes! Wow, yes.” She paused, her eyes softening with fondness. “I’m sorry if I interrupted your afternoon with Lochlan. My, I just love that boy.”
Nia forced a polite smile. “How do you know him?”
Nancy tilted her head, looking momentarily baffled. “We’ve been working at the Videt together for years. He’s so quiet and reserved, but always patient and kind. Just a lovely young man.”
Nia’s ears began ringing. The bustling noise of the street faded into the background as her thoughts, questions, and doubts all coalesced around a single possibility.
“Wait. At the Videt... in what department?” she managed to ask, suspicion building.
“In the archives. Oh, everyone else was so surprised when you two ended up together, but I wasn’t.” Nancy smiled and patted Nia on the arm. “I mean, I know how close he is to your father. I just think it was serendipitous.”
“Close to…” Nia’s stomach dropped, her throat tightening further. “My father?”
“Of course!” Nancy said, as if this were common knowledge. “It’s only natural, after your father got him that scholarship. Then an internship. Goodness, but you should know all this already!”
Nia forced out a stiff nod, her lips pressing into a thin line. “I should,” she said quickly, the words clipped. “I do.” Clearing her throat, she straightened. “Will you excuse me?”
