I amsoscrewed. There are people at the door, probably demanding my imminent removal from the village, and I’m obsessing over Aiden’s unshaven face. I stifle a groan. No need to make more of an idiot of myself.
“What do the villagers want?” Aiden asks.
Jack frowns at him, then glances at me but thankfully doesn’t comment. “They wouldn’t say.”
“Is there trouble?” I stand, not wanting to leave until I hear the news.
Ty grimaces. “Maybe.”
“Fuck. All right, I’ll deal with them.” Aiden finger combs his short hair, then straightens his shoulders.
A cowlick still sticks up at the back of his head, and I fight the urge to smooth it down. That would be a girlfriend move. I will never play that role for this man, no matter how my heart squeezes at the thought.
I should go straight up and shower Aiden’s scent off my skin. But curiosity and worry tug me forward, and I follow the three men out into the front room of the Lodge. There, I slip to the side and find an old coat at the door—I’m still only wearing that t-shirt, and I have no wish to flash any of the sea dragons gathered on the front porch.
It wouldnotimprove their impression of me.
The window Aiden accidentally smashed has been boarded up until we can get a replacement pane of glass in Anchorage. Aiden throws the front door open and stands in the doorway, but he doesn’t invite the villagers inside. It’s a clear message that he won’t allow them to trespass on his turf without invitation.
“How can I help you?” he asks.
His voice is deceptively polite, but if I were in their shoes, I’d scamper off fast. There’s a hint of danger around him, even though he holds himself with rigid control.
“We heard about what Skye did for Maya,” a voice calls out.
I peer around Aiden, because I’m sure I recognize the woman—yep, it’s Mrs. Hobb from the bakery. Her bread rolls have been my constant companions these past weeks, and if she’s come to demand my head, I’ll break down and cry right here. About a dozen villagers stand behind her, their expressions a mix of worry and curiosity.
“I’m not sure what rumors have spread,” Aiden says, “but I can assure you that Skye has been instrumental in Maya’s recovery.”
Mrs. Hobb waves at me and beams. “Yes, I know. I was wondering—Skye, dear, do you think you could take a look at my fingers? My arthritis has been terrible this fall.”
She holds up her hands, and sure enough, several fingers are twisted slightly as well as swollen. Kneading dough must be so painful for her. I take a step forward onto the cold porch boards to examine her more closely. For some reason, I never considered that dragon elders might get…well, old. I don’t even know whether their life span is any longer than a human’s or a witch’s.
“Sure, we can try and—” I start to say, but Aiden steps in front of me.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he growls. “Did you all come here for this?” He stares down at the gathered handful of villagers. Then he gestures at a middle-aged, balding man. “Vance, I know I saw you with Ward the other day, and now you’re here?”
The man clasps his hands together and wrings them nervously. “I was just curious about Miss Skye. I never wanted to hurt her,” he mumbles. “But my back’s been acting out, and I wanted to…” He trails away under the force of Aiden’s glare.
I touch Aiden’s arm, and he swings around to look at me. His blue eyes flash with anger and annoyance, but I don’t move away.
“Listen, I could try,” I say under my breath. “If I can help them, why not?”
He scowls at me. “Because that’s not why you’re here.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes at him. “Fine, I’ll do it in my free time.” For a moment, I think he might object, so I nudge him in the ribs. “Hey, if they’re asking for my help, at least they’re not trying to burn me at the stake, eh?”
“I’m not sure that’s a good enough reason,” he mutters back. Then he turns to the gathered people. “All right. Skye will let you know when she’s available. No bothering her before breakfast, though.”
“Sure, boss.” Vance salutes him.
The sea dragons leave in small clusters, chatting excitedly.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Aiden says to me, then disappears inside.
Ty and Jack are wearing almost identical expressions of amused disbelief. Ty raises one black eyebrow. “Healer Skye has a nice ring to it.”
“You should name your business ‘Skye’s Salves and Sorcery,’” Jack quips.
