Page 35 of Charlotte's Story
He blinked, as if surprised at my easy agreement. But then he smiled and leaned closer until the space between us collapsed into a single breath. An offering that still left me with a choice but was close enough that my rational mind lost the battle entirely.
I met him the rest of the way, pressing my lips to his. For a moment, everything blurred into silence around us until all I knew was the feel of William’s soft wool shirt and his cinnamon smell. The bell chimed overhead, betraying his happiness or mine.
But it also snapped me back to reality.
I pulled back, breathing hard.
“Was that okay?” His worried hazel eyes scanned me as if his kiss had hurt me.
And maybe it had. I wasn’t supposed to make myself vulnerable like that again. This wasn’t supposed to be the kind of marriage that came with kissing. It was meant to be tidy. Logical. Safe. But William wasn’t safe; he was kind, earnest, and dangerously easy to care for. He played the role of the perfect husband so well, I could see myself forgetting that it was just an act.
A small, stubborn piece of me wanted it to be real, but I forced it into silence. I’d gone down that road before and let myself believe in something warm and lasting, only to end up used and humiliated.
I could trust William not to hurt me, but only because I was keeping my heart out of it.
“You did fine.” I took a step back. “I’m just… I’m not…”
This wasn’t what we agreed to. There were no rules for what happened when pretend started to feel real.
He took a slow step forward and pressed a hand softly against the quill resting over my collarbone. “It’s okay, Charlotte. You don’t have to have all the right words right now, but if you want to tell me anything, I’m here. I’ll always be here.”
I closed my eyes, letting myself sink into his touch. I couldn’t spend my whole life worrying about Hugh. William was as different from him as it was possible to be, and I’d already admitted that I trusted him. Maybe it was time to show it.
When we made this agreement, I told myself I’d keep my head down and focus on the shop. No romance. No feelings. Just a roof over my head and time to chase my dream. I hadn’t counted on William. I’d promised myself I’d choose my shop over my heart—told myself again and again I didn’t need romance if I could chase my dream. But with William maybe I didn’t have to choose. Maybe I could share everything with him, even the parts I’d tried my best to keep hidden.
“A few years ago, I dated a man named Hugh.” I sucked in a breath. “I thought we were in love, and I’d even started planning our marriage.”
William stood still, except his thumb brushed along my cheekbone softly, the touch as delicate as when he touched the frostpetal.
“But eventually, I realized it was all a lie.” I swallowed hard. “He was an incubus feeding on my feelings. The more I loved him, the stronger he got. It was all a lie to him.”
“Then he was a fool.” William caressed my cheek again, but this time he wiped away a tear. “I would never hurt you.”
I bit my lip. “I know.” At least, I knew that he believed it, but what if he didn’t feel the same once he got his memories back? I put another ornament on the tree, a mini mug of cocoa that had real steam rising from the cup. “What are we going to do tomorrow? We can’t stay here indefinitely.”
“I don’t know.”
“Okay, let’s think about this logically.” I ignored William’s appreciative smile and started making a list. “As for people who might’ve wanted to hurt you, we have Brexton—”
“Wait.” His brow furrowed. “I thought you said Brexton was the one who married us?”
“He did, and apparently he’s been eying your position for a while. I don’t know that he’d actually go through with it, but it at least gives him a motive.” I thought back on my conversation with him and how he’d warned me against the sprite. “Plus, there’s one of your neighbors. That sprite, Pennyfern. Oh, and I think we should add Dahlia’s uncle to the list. You yourself mentioned that you’re pretty sure he doesn’t like you.”
“Is it normal for one person to have such a long list of enemies?” His hand fell to his cuff again, tracing the fabric in soothing circles.
“I don’t know, but we’ll figure this out before anyone else gets hurt.” I pulled out the star for the top of the tree and stared at it. I had no proof that the Star of Everlight had anything to do with the murder, but tiny indefinite strings kept pointing me back to Rosings Park. “I promise.”
I hesitated a moment, then filled him in on Lizzy’s message. It didn’t seem likely that Tessa would do anything to hurt Dahlia, but maybe it was worth talking to her tomorrow to see if she knew anything. I shot her a quick text asking if we could meet for lunch.
William flicked his finger and a gentle gust of air magic lifted the star to the top of the tree. We both gazed at the finished tree for a few moments in silent appreciation, then he followed me down the hall to the guest room.
William took one look around and gave me a beaming smile. “It’s wonderful.”
But I couldn’t tear my gaze away from the bed—the one taking up the far side of the room. We were married. Technically. On paper. But—
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong.” I flushed and looked down at my feet.
