Chapter 3

THREE

T he quaint town of Whispering Pines materialized through Sayer Gentry’s windshield, its cobblestone streets and charming storefronts a stark contrast to the sleek urban landscapes he typically frequented. His hands tightened on the steering wheel, his jaw clenched with determination. He’d come here with one purpose: to claim custody of his niece, Vienna.

The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of grief and responsibility. The deaths of his brother Dune and Dune’s mate Myla had left a gaping hole in Sayer’s heart, one he’d barely had time to process. Urgent matters at his Hong Kong hotel had demanded his immediate attention, forcing him to put his personal loss on hold. He’d barely gotten a few hours at the funeral before he had to get on his jet to put out fires.

Now, finally back and ready to step up for his family, Sayer had learned that Myla’s sister, Fia, had moved into Dune and Myla’s home to care for Vienna. The news had initially relieved him, knowing the child wasn’t alone, but it also complicated matters. Vienna needed her family – his family – around her. She needed the stability and support only they could provide.

As Sayer navigated the winding streets, his eyes caught glimpses of the town’s magical nature. A group of children giggled as they chased iridescent butterflies that left trails of sparkling dust in their wake. An elderly woman casually levitated her groceries beside her as she walked. In any other circumstance, Sayer might have found the display charming. Today, it only served as a reminder of how different this place was from the modern, tech-advanced world he could offer Vienna.

He pulled up to the address he’d been given, a charming two-story cottage with a wraparound porch. Flower boxes bursting with vibrant blooms adorned every window, and wind chimes tinkled softly in the breeze. It looked like something out of a fairy tale – exactly the kind of home Dune and Myla would have chosen.

Sayer took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation ahead. He’d rehashed his arguments a hundred times on the drive here. Vienna needed family. She needed the resources and connections his family could provide. She needed–

The thought evaporated the moment Fia opened the door.

Sayer’s world tilted on its axis. The air crackled with an energy he’d never experienced, and his lion – the primal, instinctual part of his shifter nature – roared to life within him. Mine , it growled. Mate .

For centuries, Sayer had searched for his mate. He’d traveled the world, meeting countless people, always hoping to feel that instant, undeniable connection his parents had described. He’d begun to believe it might never happen for him.

Yet here she stood in the most unlikely of circumstances.

Fia was nothing like Sayer had imagined. Her light brown hair fell in soft waves around her oval face, framing warm brown eyes that regarded him with a mixture of wariness and resolve. She stood with quiet confidence, her posture straight but not rigid. Everything about her radiated a sense of nurturing strength.

“Mr. Gentry,” Fia said, her voice low and melodious. “I’ve been expecting you. Please, come in.”

Sayer swallowed hard, forcing his lion’s insistent growls to the back of his mind. He had a mission here, one he couldn’t lose sight of no matter how much his instincts were screaming at him to claim this woman as his own.

“Miss Barlowe,” he managed, his voice rougher than he intended. “Thank you for seeing me.”

He followed her into a cozy living room, noting the toys scattered across the floor and the baby gate blocking off the top of the stairs. Everything about the space spoke of a home well lived in and loved. It was nothing like the sterile luxury of his hotel suites or his rarely-used penthouse apartments.

“Please, call me Fia. I assume you’re here about Vienna,” Fia said, gesturing for him to take a seat on the plush sofa. She remained standing, her arms crossed loosely over her chest. “I understand you have concerns.”

“Yes. Thank you and please call me Sayer.” He cleared his throat, trying to recenter himself. “I appreciate you stepping in to care for her, but I believe it’s time for Vienna to come home with me. She needs to be with family.”

Fia’s eyebrows rose slightly. “She is with family, Sayer. I’m her aunt, and this is the home her parents chose for her.”

“I understand that, but–”

“Do you?” Fia interrupted, her voice still calm but with an undercurrent of steel. “Because from where I’m standing, it seems like you’re suggesting uprooting a child who’s already lost both her parents from the only home she’s ever known.”

Sayer bristled, his lion growling at the challenge in her tone even as part of him admired her fierce protectiveness. “Fia, I assure you, I only want what’s best for Vienna. My family can provide her with everything she needs – the best education, the finest opportunities–”

“What about love?” Fia asked softly. “What about the community her parents chose for her? The magic they wanted her to grow up surrounded by?”

Her words gave Sayer pause. He’d been so focused on the practical aspects of raising Vienna that he hadn’t considered the less tangible elements. Still, he pressed on. “We can provide all of that too. My family–”

“Your family is not the only family Vienna has,” Fia said firmly. She moved to a nearby desk, retrieving an envelope. “Did you receive a letter from Dune and Myla’s lawyer?”

Sayer frowned. “I received some paperwork, but I haven’t had a chance to go through it all yet. I’ve been dealing with–”

“With your hotel empire, yes,” Fia finished for him. There was no judgment in her tone, just a statement of fact. “I understand. But I think you need to read this.”

She handed him the envelope. Sayer took it, his fingers brushing against hers in the process. Even that slight touch sent a jolt of electricity through him, and he had to suppress a shiver.

As he read the letter, Sayer’s world shifted once again. Dune’s familiar handwriting filled the page, outlining his and Myla’s wishes for Vienna’s future. They spoke of the magical community they’d chosen, of their desire for Vienna to know both sides of her family. Most importantly, they expressed their wish for Fia and Sayer to raise Vienna together, blending their families and backgrounds to give her the best of both worlds. And they were quite adamant that they keep Vienna away from Myla’s oldest sister and her parents.

“I... I had no idea,” Sayer murmured, his carefully constructed arguments crumbling around him.

Fia’s expression softened slightly. “I know this isn’t what you expected. It wasn’t what I expected either. But Myla and Dune trusted us both with Vienna’s future. Don’t you think we owe it to them – and to her – to at least try to honor their wishes?”

Sayer ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. Everything he’d planned, all the arguments he’d prepared, suddenly seemed inadequate in the face of his brother’s final request.

“I don’t know the first thing about raising a child,” he admitted, the words escaping before he could stop them.

To his surprise, Fia let out a soft laugh. “Neither did I until a few weeks ago. We’re both learning as we go.”

As if on cue, a happy squeal echoed from upstairs, followed by the patter of tiny feet. Fia’s face lit up with a smile that made Sayer’s heart skip a beat.

“That would be Her Majesty waking from her nap,” Fia said. “Would you like to see her?”

Sayer nodded, suddenly nervous. He’d seen Vienna a handful of times since she’d been born. Not enough if he were honest. He wondered if she remembered him. This would be different. This was his first one-on-one time with her and not passing her from family member to family member.

Fia disappeared upstairs, returning moments later with the toddler in her arms. Vienna’s hazel eyes – so like Dune’s – widened as she caught sight of Sayer. For a moment, he feared she might cry at the sight of a stranger.

Instead, Vienna let out a delighted giggle and reached for him, little sparks of magic dancing from her fingertips.

“Well, would you look at that,” Fia murmured, sounding both amused and resigned. “Seems like she remembers her Uncle Sayer.”

Sayer’s throat tightened as he carefully took Vienna into his arms. She immediately grabbed for his tie, entranced by the silky fabric.

“Hi, princess,” he said softly. “You’ve gotten so big.”

Vienna babbled happily in response, patting his cheeks with her tiny hands. The simple, innocent gesture broke open something in Sayer’s chest. This was Dune’s daughter, his brother’s legacy. How could he even think about taking her away from a place where she was so clearly loved and thriving?

He looked up at Fia, who was watching them with a mix of emotions playing across her face. “I... I think we need to talk,” he said.

Fia nodded. “Why don’t you stay for dinner? We can discuss things, and you can spend some time with Vienna.”

The invitation surprised him, but Sayer found himself nodding. “I’d like that, thank you.”

As Fia moved to the kitchen to start dinner preparations, Sayer settled on the floor with Vienna, surrounded by her toys. He watched in amazement as she babbled to her stuffed animals, tiny sparks of magic making them dance and move in response to her gestures.

“She’s already so powerful,” he murmured more to himself than to Fia.

Fia glanced over from where she was chopping vegetables. “She is. That’s part of why Myla and Dune wanted her here. Whispering Pines has a whole community of magical practitioners who can help guide her as she grows into her powers.”

Sayer nodded, a new understanding dawning. “I see why they chose this place for her.”

The evening passed in a blur of delicious food, Vienna’s antics, and surprisingly comfortable conversation. Sayer found himself relaxing, charmed by the cozy domesticity of it all. It was so different from his usual lifestyle of business meetings and luxury hotels, yet there was something undeniably appealing about it.

As the evening wound down and Vienna yawned, Sayer knew it was time for him to leave. He had a lot to think about.

“Thank you for dinner,” he said as Fia walked him to the door. “And for... everything, really. I guess we have to figure out how to raise Vienna together without disrupting her life.”

Fia smiled, the expression softening her features and making Sayer’s heart race. “Thank you for being willing to listen. I know this isn’t an easy situation for any of us, but I truly believe we can find a way to make it work – for Vienna’s sake.”

Sayer nodded, then hesitated. “I... I’d like to stay in town for a while, if that’s all right. Get to know the community and spend more time with Vienna. Maybe we could... figure out some sort of arrangement?”

The relief in Fia’s eyes was palpable. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. There’s a lovely B&B just down the street – The Whispering Willow. I’m sure they’d be happy to have you.”

As Sayer walked to his car, he felt lighter than he had in weeks. The situation was far from resolved, but for the first time since Dune’s death, he felt a glimmer of hope.