Page 5 of Shifting Winds
Amusement glimmered in his eyes. “My stuff might be a little more challenging.”
I scoffed. “You know what I’m saying.”
Cernunnos rose and dusted off his hands. “I am sorry for thrusting you into a position you don’t want. While I do wish to retire soon, you’ve opened my eyes to the error of my ways. I still need someone to train, and I want that person to be you.”
“Cernunnos—”
He exhaled. “It is your birthright, Evangeline. If there is anyone who can figure out a way to have it all, it’s you.”
“You have way too much faith in me.”
Cernunnos shook his head. “You don’t have enough faith in yourself. I will return once a month.”
When I opened my mouth to protest, Cernunnos stepped forward and put his hands on my arms. “I will move the timeline to accommodate you as you learn our ways. You need to know who you’re dealing with. Our people are powerful and complicated. Even if you decide not to accept what I’m offering, I’d like to make up for my past failures. Allow me to teach you about our people and my kingdom. At minimum, it will only serve to help you.”
I frowned. “You’re saying if I refuse you, you will let it lie?”
“I will move the timeline.” His enigmatic smile and non-answer made me roll my eyes. “Thank you for teaching me this morning, daughter. I like learning with you.”
With a wink, he disappeared in a flash of green and golden light.
I’d managed to move the goalpost but not the goal. If he wanted me to take his place as the fae ruler, he was going to have to wait a lot longer than a few months.
Maybe even forever.
Chapter
Three
Moira, Tess, and Ash were gathered around my worktable when I finally made it in to work. An anticipatory silence hung in the air while all three grinned at me.
“Nope,” I said by way of greeting. “We are not doing this.”
Moira cackled. “Aw. Spoil sport. We know you’ve been up to some serious nonsense. Aren’t we your besties?”
I rolled my eyes and set my purse behind the register. “We’ve been seeing each other for a couple of months now. Are you ever going to stop asking me?”
“Absolutely not,” Ash said.
I gave him a look. “And here I thought Moira was the one corrupting you all.”
“She’s seventy-five percent of it.” Ash winked and returned his attention to the small bonsai he was putting the final touches on.
I came over and nudged Moira over so I could take a look. “That’s stunning,” I breathed.
Ash was a dryad, and his knack was nature magic, most powerful with trees. His bonsai work took months andsometimes even years, but they sold for thousands. “Why is it blooming so late in the season?”
“Because I’m a dryad.”
Moira laughed.
I shook my head ruefully. “Dumb question,” I admitted. “But it’s October. Azaleas are spring bloomers, so I’m curious why you forced it to bloom?”
“Much like you,” Ash said as he snipped a tiny, almost microscopic piece from the bonsai, “I can coax flowers and trees into blooms.” He smiled and straightened. “But this one has been happy from the moment I brought her into this shop. She’s been blooming on and off for months now.”
I reached a finger out and paused. “May I?”
Ash gestured to go ahead. “Be my guest. She’s yours after all.”
