Page 46 of Wanderer

“Did you know the mayor has a son?” Keeley asked, as she leaned toward Oscar to gossip conspiratorially.

“Hestia? Really?” Oscar moved closer to her. Riley stopped wiping down the countertops to listen in.

“Yeah, Eason is a demi-god. Half druid. If anyone could break the curse aside from Gareth, it would be him. Demi-god magic has to out power a warlock, right? And unlike Hestia, he’s able to meddle since he’s half druid.”

“Why didn’t you mention him before?” Riley asked mock casually. My avoidance of Eason had hurt him.

Possibly realizing her error, Keeley backtracked a little. “Well, to be fair to Gareth, he was out of town until I got back. We flew back together.” Keeley shrugged and took a sip of her water.

“That’s right, you’re both part of the Westhaven outreach,” I said, watching as Riley relaxed and resumed wiping up.

“So, Eason might help?” Oscar asked.

Keeley raised an eyebrow at me as if daring me to deny it. “He will.”

I glared at her before picking up my phone. “I’ll give him a call.”

Before I dialed, I made my way to our bedroom. I closed the door and settled a silencing spell before I dialed Eason, taking no risks of being overheard for what was sure to be a sensitive conversation. My gut churned. It rang a few times first, making me think it was going to go to voicemail. Then he answered. “Gareth! It’s lovely to hear from you. How’ve you been?” His voice was warm and friendly. Friendlier than I deserved.

“All good here. How was Westhaven?”

He chuckled. “Come on, I know you didn’t call to ask about the sanctuary outreach. Lonely, or do you need something?” His tone turned frosty. Ah, there it was. The bitterness I expected and had fully earned.

Nervously, I pulled at a loose thread on the comforter. “I, uh, well—”

“Spit it out, Gareth,” Eason demanded.

“I wouldn’t have called to ask, but Keeley suggested you could help.”

“Help with what?” He sounded wary.

“Uh, well, I found my fated mate.”

I had to pull the phone away from my ear because Eason was cursing up a storm on the other end of the line. Okay, I could understand what was going through his head. “What the fuck, Gareth? So, is this for him? You want me to use my magic to help him?”

“Shit, E, you make me sound like a monster.” I felt like one, but this hadn’t been my idea. He didn’t have to rake me over the coals for it. I’d do anything for my mate, even swallow my pride. “Riley came here to Greyhaven needing help with a curse. He’s terrified of warlocks, and against all odds, I’m his fated. It took a lot for him to trust me, but the nature of the bond—”

“Means you can’t use your magic on him. Not even for that. Fucking hell, Gareth. You don’t half get into some shit,” he muttered, sounding resigned.

“Keeley isn’t powerful enough on her own. His friend is a witch, and he’s not strong enough to amplify her either. Dragon magic can’t undo warlock magic. You’re the only one Keeley could think of. I wouldn’t have dared to ask. It’s just… I love him,” I finished, my voice low.

Riley should have heard those words of love first. Not my ex.

We sat in silence while Eason chewed over what to do. I knew him. We may not have worked as a couple, but I knew that deep inside, he had a healer’s heart and couldn’t stand to see anyone suffer. “I’ll come over in a bit, okay?

I returned to the kitchen and found them sitting at the table, waiting for me. “He’ll be here soon.”

“So, is Eason an ex-boyfriend or just a hookup? You’ve slept together, right?” Riley asked as he pushed his food around his plate. He avoided my eyes.

“Ex. We were together for a couple of years just after my parents left. He wanted to travel, and I wanted to be here teaching. We both wanted different things in life. We’d never have worked long term.”

“He still wants you, though, right? You hookup now and again, don’t you?” There wasn’t quite a hostile accusation in his expression when he finally met my eyes. More like resignation.

My mate deserved total honesty. No holding anything back, even if it could hurt us. “No backsliding for the last couple of years. It wasn’t healthy for either of us.”

“You’re completely done? No feelings left over?” Riley confirmed.

“None on my part. Even before you showed up, so don’t even question it,” I said firmly.