14. Natalie

14

NATALIE

T he anticipation builds as I lean in closer to Rian, my heart racing wildly. Our lips are a mere breath apart, the tension crackling between us.

I want this, so badly.

From the moment he walked through the door at Orc’s Anvil, heat has been growing slowly and steadily in my chest. I believe he regrets trapping me in Elderberry Falls. I believe he’s a male of his word who is just looking out for his community. I believe he’s a good person and a good dad.

More than anything, I believe I’d like to kiss him, even just once.

Just as I’m sure he’s going to close the distance between us and make my fantasies come true, Rian abruptly pulls back.

Startled, I blink up at him in confusion.

His handsome minotaur features are etched with inner turmoil. “I’m sorry, Natalie, I can’t...” he mumbles, averting his deep brown eyes from mine.

Rejection washes over me in an icy wave.

I take a step back, struggling to maintain my composure even as hurt stabs through my chest. “Oh. I... I thought...”

“It’s not… I want to, believe me,” Rian says roughly, still not meeting my gaze. “But there are things you don’t know. Complications.”

An awkward silence descends, thick and heavy. The earlier magic of our near-kiss has shattered like a fragile spell. Rian shuffles his hooves, looking pained.

Forcing a smile, I try to salvage some shred of dignity. “Well, thank you for the lovely evening anyway, Rian.” My voice comes out overly bright. “I had a wonderful time.”

“I did too.” His deep rumble is strained. “Have a good night, Natalie. I’m sorry again.”

With that, he turns and strides into his bakery, leaving me standing alone on the moonlit cobblestones. I watch him go, a large, lonely figure retreating into the shadows.

Wrapping his soft flannel tighter around my shoulders, I’m taken over by the lingering scent of woodsmoke and cinnamon. Tears prick behind my eyes but I blink them back fiercely as I head to my apartment.

What the hell was that? I can’t shake the feeling that Rian is hiding something, wrestling with a secret he’s not ready to divulge. Why else did he look so tortured about pulling away?

Is he not ready for a new relationship, perhaps? I don’t know much about Rian’s private life, other than that he’s a single dad. Jessa has continued to pop by the storefront, but she’s never divulged the full story to me. I assume her parents have broken up. Maybe it was recently. Maybe he’s still in love with her.

For a charged moment there, I was positive Rian wanted to kiss me as badly as I wanted to kiss him. The way I felt in his arms, the thick muscle under his fur as he picked me up and spun me around. I haven’t felt such easy joy or laughed like that in a while… and that look he gave me.

His warm brown eyes seemed to be filled with desire. I was so sure he was going to go for it. I was giving all the signs, right?

Apparently, I read that totally wrong.

With a sigh, I let myself into the cozy apartment, kicking off my heels. I need sleep and to stop overthinking a simple rejection.

Rian and I were obviously not on the same page. Maybe not even reading the same book.

Time to focus on sorting out this property situation so I can get back to the human lands and away from minotaurs who send mixed signals. Elderberry Falls was only ever meant to be temporary, anyway.

So why does the thought of leaving suddenly make my heart ache? I collapse onto my bed, more confused than ever. Burying my face in the pillow, I wrap myself in Rian’s comforting flannel. It’s large enough on me to be a throw blanket, and its fading, comfortable scent lulls me into a restless sleep, full of dreams of what might have been.

The following day, I find myself back at Barnabus’ office yet again. The door creaks as I enter, and Barnabus looks up from his desk, his eyes warm behind his spectacles.

“Ah, Natalie! Good to see you again. What can I do for you today?” His inviting voice instantly puts me at ease.

I settle into the plush armchair across from him, the clutter of his office no longer as daunting as it once seemed. “I’ve been thinking a lot about the sale of Myrtle’s building,” I begin, “and I’ve decided I want to open it up to other potential buyers beyond just Munchin’ Morsels.”

Barnabus nods, a knowing smile spreading across his face. “A wise decision, my dear. It’s always good to keep your options open.”

“Am I even able to do this? Would there be any repercussions with Munchin’ Morsels?”

Barnabus shakes his head. “Other than possible sour feelings on their end, no. There were no contracts signed with them yet. You could possibly still take their original deal, if you don’t find an adequate alternative buyer.”

“Okay then,” I tell him. “Let’s proceed.”

He rummages through a stack of papers, pulling out a few forms. “I’ll get the necessary paperwork started right away.”

Barnabus launches into the details of the revised sale process, and my mind can’t help but wander.

What if I do end up selling to someone other than Munchin’ Morsels? It could definitely hurt my professional relationship with them, but that’s a risk I need to take. It’s not like Ecco doesn’t have other brands clamoring for her time, after all.

Plus, it is prime property, in a town that’s gotten a lot of buzz in the wake of Ecco’s stardom. What if there is a better offer out there?

I mentally kick myself. If only I hadn’t been in such a rush to sell the building in the first place! If I had just put it on the open market from the get-go, I wouldn’t be stuck here for two whole months. Two months away from my life, my career, everything I’ve worked so hard for.

Then again... I glance out the window at the charming storefronts and the colorful characters milling about. If I’m being honest with myself, I’m kind of grateful for the opportunity to learn more about this quirky town and the unexpected powers I seem to possess.

Plus, it doesn’t hurt that I have such a cute, even if confusing, neighbor. I feel my cheeks flush at the thought of Rian, his gentle eyes and strong arms. His permanent autumnal smell, probably from baking so many of those sinfully good pumpkin muffins.

No, Natalie. Focus . I try to clear my thoughts as Barnabus continues to outline the next steps, attempting to give him my full attention.

When we wrap up, I thank Barnabus and step back out into the bustling streets, walking with a much steadier step than the first time I entered his office. The paths and streets of Elderberry Falls have become familiar to me—I navigate to the gardens with ease to meet up with Velda.

The trickling of water and rustling of leaves create a soothing symphony, and I feel some of the tension melt from my shoulders as I settle into our usual spot in the Enchanted Gardens.

Velda’s weathered face creases with concern as she takes in my troubled expression. “What’s on your mind, dear?” she asks, her hand reaching out to pat mine.

I hesitate, not used to opening up about personal matters.

But something about Velda’s kindly, non-judgmental presence makes me feel safe. It’s a lot like how I feel with my anonymous pen pal. Maybe it’s her? No, the details don’t track.

“It’s…” I whisper. “I almost kissed someone last night, but then he pulled away. And I don’t know what it means or how I feel about it.”

My emotions surge and swirl within me like a stormy sea as I speak. The plants around us begin to respond to my inner thoughts, their growth accelerating in time with my words. Vines twist and climb, flowers bloom and wilt, leaves unfurl and shrivel.

Velda’s eyes widen as she takes in the manifestation of my powers.

“Natalie, look,” she breathes, her tone a mix of awe and understanding. “Your emotions can sometimes unlock a deeper connection to your magic. Vulnerability can be transformative, you know.”

I stare at the rapidly growing foliage, shocked by my own progress. Too much vulnerability has always scared me, but now I’m forced to see what opening up can do.

Maybe there’s a purpose to all of this confusion and uncertainty. Maybe I need to lean into it, instead of resisting.

I smile ruefully. All those years in therapy and I’m still not done improving. I guess we never are.

Together, Velda and I work to control the burst of growth, coaxing the plants back to their natural state. As we do, she begins to share a story.

“I once knew a woman who lived a stifled life, obsessed with stability and always running away from transformation,” Velda begins, her voice soft and wistful. “She was in an unhappy marriage to a man, even though she knew in her heart that she was gay. But she stayed, because she thought it made her son happy to have his parents together.”

I listen, intrigued, as Velda continues.

“When her son grew up and moved out, this woman found the courage to divorce her husband and leave her small town behind. She came to Elderberry Falls, where embracing her true identity allowed her to tap into new parts of her magic. She went on to meet the love of her life—and start a successful business.”

Velda pauses, her gaze locking with mine.

“That woman, Natalie, was your grandmother Myrtle.”

I feel my breath catch in my throat, a lump forming as I process this revelation. Velda squeezes my hand, her touch grounding me.

“I know you don’t want to talk about her, and that this is a difficult thing for you,” Velda acknowledges gently. “You need to know that you come from a line of courageous women. Trust your instincts, Natalie. Don’t let fear hold you back from pursuing what your heart truly desires. Whether it’s in your career, your relationships, or your magical journey.”

Sitting there in the tranquil garden, with Velda’s words echoing in my mind, I feel something shift within me. I’ve rigidly planned out my future, my road map, for as long as I can remember. It was the only way I knew how to survive through my tumultuous childhood.

Pick a goal, and march toward it without question. Get a job, check. Go to college, check. Pick a career, ideally something influential with high earning potential, check. Earn enough money to buy my mom’s house for her, check. Become a partner in the company so I can ensure my and my mother’s financial safety for years to come, check…?

For the first time, I’m starting to embrace the possibility of change. Of opening myself up to new adventures and new parts of myself.

My gaze wanders over the enchanted gardens, taking in the luminescent flowers and shimmering fountains with a newfound appreciation.

Velda’s story about my grandmother has sparked a flicker of curiosity within me, a desire to learn more about this mysterious woman who had the courage to embrace her true self and start anew in Elderberry Falls.

What other secrets does my family history hold, and how might they might be intertwined with my own magical awakening?

It starts to feel as if the universe may have been guiding me towards this path all along.

From the unexpected inheritance of Myrtle’s storefront to the discovery of my own magical abilities, each twist and turn has brought me closer to a version of myself I never knew existed.

Then there’s Rian. The gentle, nurturing baker who has become an unexpected source of comfort and confusion in equal measure. That almost kiss…thinking about it, about my feelings for him, that’s what unlocked my next level of magic.

And after all, it was being startled by his daughter that was the catalyst for my first brush with magic. Could it be more than just a coincidence?

I turn to Velda, who has been sitting patiently as I process. “I think I’m starting to understand what you mean about embracing change and trusting my instincts. It’s not easy, but I think I’m ready to try.”

Maybe it’s time to throw out that road map.