Page 47 of Wanderer

“He’s right. Gareth avoids all situations where Eason might get the impression that something could happen. I’m sorry to have suggested it,” Keeley apologized. “I just know this is time sensitive. We have seven days left before the curse enacts.”

“I get it. Just wanted to be prepared and not blindsided,” Riley whispered. “We all have pasts.” I knew he was thinking about Mira.

“I’d never judge you for anything in yours. You know that, right?” He nodded, sitting straighter in his chair. “I’m sorry if this is going to be awkward with Eason, but I really don’t feel anything for him. All I want is to get this curse off you, so we can plan our future.”

“Yeah, it’s fine. The bond…”

We all smiled. “So glad I’ve not met my mate yet!” Keeley cried, reaching to scoop more salad onto her plate. “These bonds really do a number on you, don’t they?”

Riley and I agreed with widening grins.

Eason didn’t knock, just swanned into my house in one of his beautifully tailored suits, a Christmas theme going on with the elaborate outfit. I caught Riley looking down at his plain navy T‑shirt and black jeans. “Gorgeous,” I whispered only for him as I squeezed his thigh under the table.

Riley clasped my hand tightly in his as Eason approached and introduced himself to him and Oscar.

The young witch looked enamored with my demi-god ex. Oscar was really not his type, so was only in for disappointment there.

I caught my mate and ex measuring each other up before defeatedly, Eason said, “Let’s get this show on the road.”

Eason tried to undo the spell first, thinking that his demi-god talents might stretch to curse breaking. Riley held up well under Eason’s attempt, yet didn’t hide his disappointment when the demi-god failed like the rest of us. Clearly, what Tatsuya said weeks ago was true. It had to be a warlock. Then Eason took Keeley’s hand and let her channel him.

My cousin gasped and pulled away from Eason. “Fuck! That burns!”

Sure enough, her hand that had been in Eason’s was blistered and red. She cradled it in her unharmed one and directed a tear-filled glance at Riley. “I’m sorry. That was my last hope.”

Riley surprised us all when he stood and wrapped my cousin in a hug. “Thank you for trying. I’m sorry you’re hurt.” His embrace was loose and brief, but it meant so much to Keeley that she cried harder. He returned to my side and wrapped an arm around my waist, leaning into me for comfort.

“Here,” I gently took her injured hand and sent healing magic into it. Unfortunately, my healing worked best on plants and not people or animals.

“Oh! Let me!” Oscar shouldered me out of the way and took over with the healing. Under his care, the blistering reversed course, and the red faded into the peach tone of Keeley’s usual skin.

“Wow, Oscar, that’s amazing!” Keeley praised.

Eason looked over. “Are you a healer?”

“No, I’m a librarian,” Oscar answered, a flush rising in his pale cheeks.

He received an appraising look from Eason, making him blush harder, all the way to his blond hair. “You know, with that healing skill, you should be at the hospital or clinic. You’d do wonders there.”

Keeley raised an eyebrow at me. “Well, why don’t we clear out and let these guys enjoy the rest of their day. Eason, you could show Oscar the clinic. He likely didn’t know that was an option for him. I doubt your mom would have overlooked his healing skill if she’d known about it.”

“I didn’t tell her I could heal. To be honest, I didn’t think much of it. Do you really think I could be useful there?” Oscar asked, still slightly awestruck by Eason.

“Sorry, both of you. I really wanted this to work,” Keeley said as she gathered her things. I caught her looking at her hand in wonder. Oscar had done an amazing job on it.

“Thank you for trying.” I squeezed her to me and shook Eason’s hand. Riley did the same, adding a hug for Oscar.

They cleared out of the house, leaving me to fold Riley into my arms. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. We’ll figure it out.”

“I know.”

We stood holding each other for a long time until Riley’s phone rang. “It’s Pax!” he exclaimed when he took it from his pocket. “Pax?”

“Where’s this path again? I’m nearly here.”

Riley started with directions until I cut in with a better road for Paxton to take. I sent a text to Tatsuya to let him know we wouldn’t be needing the welcome wagon. We were going to go get Paxton ourselves and introduce him to Greyhaven.

Twenty-Two