Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Three months later…

I grabbed a cart, ready to head into the supermarket. As I swung around the corner, heading toward the doors, they opened and I froze. There was Faron, pushing a cart, and he almost rammed into me. Déjà vu all over again.

My heart raced, but this time, it was more from being startled than from seeing the wolf shifter. Bran and I were in a really good place, and we were pulling together plans for a summer wedding. Grams had her new house, and Bran was moving in with me.

Not sure if he would even remember me—I had no idea what had gone on with Faron over the months since Kyle sent me his letter—I automatically glanced at Faron's ring finger. Sure enough, there was a gold band there.

"Elphyra," he said, stopping short. He looked good as ever, the confusion gone from his eyes.

"Hey…Faron. How are you doing? I hope you're feeling better." I had no clue what to say. The awkwardness between us hung heavy, like the air before a thunderstorm.

His gaze darted back and forth, then he said, "Can we talk? Can we get some coffee and talk?"

Against all my best instincts, I agreed. "There's a deli inside. I could go for some coffee."

He followed me back into the store and we stopped at the deli. I ordered a latte and a croissant, and he ordered a mocha. We sat at one of the empty tables. I wasn't sure how to start, or where to start, but he began, making it easier.

"I'm doing much better. The inflammation is gone, and I've healed up." He paused, then stirred his mocha. He was staring at the table as he said, "I remember."

He said it so softly, I almost didn't hear him. When his words registered, I knew that he was talking about us. He had finally remembered us.

"I see…" I paused, then said, "I'm not sure what to say. Kyle did his best to keep me away from you. They didn't want you to remember me. In fact, I was forbidden to come to your compound." I spoke matter-of-factly. The sting had vanished over the months, and I had accepted what fate had planned.

Faron winced. "I'm so sorry. I don't remember a lot about that time. Kyle was doing what he felt best, but…he's overzealous sometimes." His eyes warmed, and he leaned forward, placing a hand on mine. "I miss you."

I stared at his fingers, then gently removed my hand. "I miss you too. Do you think we can resume a friendship without Kyle or the Pack elders getting upset?" Even as I said it, I realized he might mistake what I was saying.

"I'd like that," he said. "We'll have to be discreet—I'm married now, which wasn't my idea."

"Wait," I said, shaking my head. "I'm not talking about anything underhanded. I mean friendship when I say friendship."

He frowned. "My wife wouldn't care, but I have to keep up appearances. The Pack elders felt we needed an allegiance with the Rainier Pack, and she agreed, with the understanding that we'd each lead our independent lives, as long as we produce an heir."

I sat there, listening to him, searching for my feelings. I was so surprised that I was frantically trying to process what he was saying. Then it hit me: He was proposing we have an affair. If he was being truthful, and I believed he was, his wife wouldn't object, but still…

"You know I'm engaged to Bran, right?" I held up my ring, flashing it at him. "We're getting married in the summer."

"I remember that we were talking about a three-way relationship, yes." Faron leaned forward, his voice taking on an urgency.

"That's all changed," I said, backing up a little. "Faron, I would have happily married both of you—but only openly, without any subterfuge. But Bran and I…we've formed a tight bond. I love him, and he treats me like a queen. He would have accepted you as my second, but that was months ago."

"Let me talk to him—I've been meaning to visit you. I've just been waiting for the right time," Faron said. "I'll be honest with him."

I searched my heart, but the spark wasn't there. And at this point, I knew one thing, above everything else. "No," I said. "I'll be someone's girlfriend. I'll be Bran's wife. But I'm no man's mistress. I will never hide. I will never be kept in the shadows. I'm worth more than that."

Taking a breath, I stood, staring at him as his expression fell. Leaning down, I stroked his hair back from his face. He was still so very gorgeous, and he smelled good, musky and strong.

"Are you sure? I want what we could have had." His voice was plaintive, but I shook my head.

"That time is gone. Fate intervened. We can't go back. You have a wife, Faron. Regardless of how you both feel, you should do your best to make it work. Make her happy, give her a reason to fall in love with you. You're good at it—trust me. Have a happy life, make babies for the Pack, be the King you need to be. But I won't be part of it, except if you want me as a friend." I shouldered my purse. "I need to do my shopping now."

He squeezed his eyes together, then sighed. "You're sure?"

I nodded. "I'm sure. But Bran and I…we'd like to be friends with you. Maybe we can go out—as couples? Have dinner together? I'd like to meet her, if she'd be willing." It occurred to me that it had to be hard, being married off to someone you weren't in love with because it was convenient for the Pack.

Faron stood. "Of course. I'd like to see him again. Bran's a good man. Will you invite us to your wedding?" Just like that, the Faron I had first known, after we'd gotten over our spats, was back. Friendly, regal, slightly aloof.

"If you like, of course." I hesitated, then held out my arms. "Give me a hug."

He did, and as he held me close, I remembered those arms around me. The memory was vivid, but it was in the past, and I let it stay there, bringing myself back to the present.

"Go, and be well," he said. "I'll call you."

"Do that," I said. As I wheeled my cart toward the dairy and eggs aisle, I glanced back. Faron was staring at me, but the pained look was gone. He raised one hand to wave, and then, he turned and left the store.

I pulled out my phone and texted Bran. i love you. how goes everything?

everything's good. we're bringing the new cows home. fancypants is having great fun—he decided to come with me and he's talking to the cows to calm them down, bless his heart. so, do you have class tonight?

yes I do, but i'll make dinner before i head out. tonight we're learning how to bi-locate. I had signed up for courses at the adult annex of the Greater Grimoire Academy, and my magical skills were growing daily. I thought for a moment, then said, i just talked to faron.

Bran paused, then texted back, really? how did it go?

fine, I texted. i'll tell you all about it at dinner. oh, we got the band we want for the wedding. and my dress is coming along just fine. love you.

Pocketing my phone, I wheeled the cart down the aisle. I was ready for a future. I no longer felt like I was drifting, and I was looking forward, rather than back. I seldom thought about the Butcher now, or Rian. And I had the feeling that we'd see Faron a couple of times, but that he, too, would fade into my past.

I'd been ready to accept both men in my life, but fate had other plans. And I had learned the hard way to accept and move on, when life threw up barricades. True joy was often waiting in the shadows, but to set it free into your life, you often had to put aside what you thought you wanted, and be content with what you needed.

If you enjoyed this book, you can read the three other books in the Starlight Hollow Series , starting with Starlight Hollow . There will be a final novella coming later next year.