Evelyn had fallen behind again. I couldn’t tell if she was avoiding me or if the sights and sounds of this place overwhelmed her. Either way, she didn’t need to walk next to me. If she wanted space, I wanted her to have as much as possible without the discomfort of our connection.
Things had gone too far last night.
It was like the moment she’d moved toward me, the moment she’d given me an inch, I’d taken a mile. My response was inevitable. In every scenario plotted—every outcome calculated—I hadn’t consideredshemight be interested inme.
My wolf preened in my head, as if he’d suspected this all along.
But is she? With our magical connection, she doesn’t know what she’s doing.
And I’d taken advantage of it—like the worst kind of male.
Her legs had already been wrapped around me, and I was throwing us both onto the tiny bed at the inn, when I’d cometo my senses. When I’d realized she didn’t know the truth about our connection.
I’d gone over the facts obsessively since she’d confessed we were bound. From our individual intents, there was no way the magic could impact our emotions. I wasn’t even sure blood magic could change a person’s emotions. To my knowledge, there was only one type of magic that could do that, and it was a rare gift of the Suden Court.
But that wasn’t the point.
The point was that, even if the magic wasn’t influencing us, Evelyn thought it was. I had no idea how to explain that without embarrassing her. She’d never forgive me for such a thing. The way her cheeks had flushed last night when she declared that it wasgoodthat I’d touched her, as she explained what she’d learned about the magic—I almost salivated with want.
She did things to me. And my wolf.
I knew she didn’t realize it. I hadn’t understood the full extent of it until her reaction to our shared room at the inn. Finally, I knew what Vincent must feel like with his wind magic around Luna. He could never keep it in check when she was involved. My wolf had sensed Evelyn’s anticipation, and for the first time in years, I’d fought for control. Evelyn probably believed that, too, was part of the magic connecting us.
My hand was in my hair, sending the strands in every direction while I searched the crowd for her. This was such a mess. I spotted her, but my shoulders tensed, and a growl loosed from my throat. A male was touching her. He held her in place like she had stumbled into him. I recognized that male. He’d followed us in the market for a few streets. I hadn’t thought much of it. Compass Lake Village was the safest place on the continent. Not many would pick a fight in the presence of the fae leaders.
It looked like this male hadn’t received that memo.
Brisk steps brought me toward the pair. Evelyn’s elevated heart rate thrummed in my ears, urging me forward. Surprise and maybe fear widened her eyes, emotions so far from the lustful looks she’d given me last night. Who was this male?
“Evelyn.” Her name alone drew her focus to me. I saw everything I needed to see there. Her teeth clenched, as if hearing her name flipped her fear to anger. I’d put myself between her and the male, not waiting for her reply.
“I think she’s fine,” I said. I gave her my shoulder in case she wanted something to steady herself against, but from her face alone, it was clear that she wanted space from whoever this was. She looked like a caged animal. Her control over her shift had improved drastically in the past few days, but the magic here could easily send her over the edge. She’d worked so hard to protect her secret. I wouldn’t let this male and this place expose her shifted form. “I’ve got this, Evelyn, if you want to go ahead.”
Finally, I made eye contact with the male in front of me. He hadn’t fought me when I stepped between him and Evelyn. As I studied him, I thought I knew why.
His dark brown eyes were a perfect match to Evelyn’s.
“I didn’t mean to upset her.” The male glanced over my shoulder. Or he tried to. He was short, and Evelyn used my body as a shield.
“Ambrose, I have to go,” she whispered.
I nodded. My wolf whined, but the scent of her tension was palpable. She must be losing the battle with her veil cat. “It’s fine, Evelyn. Do what you need to do. I’ll let them know.”
The male ducked under my armpit as he tried to see her again. “Evelyn, wait. I just want to?—”
“No.” She didn’t stop to listen or make more excuses. She turned and ran.
I knew she would go deep into the forest. Thankfully, it surrounded this place. Within seconds, she disappeared into thelush greenery. Given the speed at which she retreated, I didn’t think she had long before the veil cat took over.
The male moved to follow her. This time, I stopped him with a hand on his forearm. “She wants some space.”
He tried again. “You don’t understand. I’m her fath?—”
I didn’t need him to finish the sentence. Studying Evelyn Knowles was more than a hobby at this point. I could see the familial resemblance in this male’s eyes alone. “I think I do, actually. And I think she’s well aware of who you are to her. She’s made her feelings on the matter clear.”
He looked defeated, and a haunting desperation overtook him, but at least he didn’t start after her again. “I’ve been looking for her everywhere—for both of them.”
Well, that was … unexpected. Against my better judgment, I didn’t walk away. Part of me convinced myself I still protected her. It was my responsibility to ensure he didn’t follow. In reality, I stood there unsure whether Evelyn would want me to hear whatever he said, or if she’d like to pretend we’d never encountered the male who sired her.
