For once her energy was unfettered and she dazzled him. She glowed, and in the light, he could see the echoes of all the people she had been, of all the times he had loved her.
‘Don’t you dare,’ Amelia’s voice cracked. He turned in surprise. It was rare for her to show emotion. Her usually immaculate face was drawn, more tired than it had been a moment ago. He had once thought Amelia and Beth looked similar, but they had never been less alike than at this moment. She narrowed her eyes and stepped towards Beth. ‘This is my space, my energy. I have done this and you will not ruin my moment.’
Beth turned to Amelia, but Jonan could have sworn she didn’t see her. She seemed to look through the woman, to see what lay beyond the glossy exterior.
She turned back to Jonan. He took a deep breath as she stepped closer, his heart pounding in his chest. Adrenaline raced through his system and every nerve ending felt more and more alight the closer she came.
‘Beth,’ he said, his voice rough.
‘You’re messing with my event and you’re not supposed to be here.’ Amelia stepped between them, shoving Jonan back with one hand on his chest. She leaned in to Beth’s space. ‘I fired you. Do you remember that?’
Beth didn’t flinch. ‘Charlie has no idea how to run an event. Apparently he is as liberal with the truth as you. All the suppliers report to me. I have the running order, the contracts, the names and numbers. If I walk now, you lose everything except your shiny brass band and table favours.’
Amelia swallowed. She stepped back. ‘You’re lying. He’s your boss. He’s higher up the pecking order than you’ll ever be.’
Beth shrugged. ‘Maybe, but his journey up the pecking order did not venture into event organising country. I’m here as a favour. If you don’t want me, I would be delighted to go back to the evening I had planned. And if you still think I’m lying, read me.’
Amelia flushed. She glared at Beth, but her gaze unfocused.
The haunted look that had persisted around Beth’s eyes had gone. Jonan had no idea how she had done it, but somehow, here, in this dingy room, surrounded by Amelia’s poisonous energy, Beth had looked her fears in the face and stepped past them.
Beth reached for his hand and squeezed it.
Only then did he realise he had been holding his breath. Her skin was warm, and sent tingles up his arm as he allowed himself to pull her closer, to increase the connection. He had spent so much of his life waiting for this moment. He had been so wary of letting her in, of scaring her off and destroying his chances of success and of happiness. Now the time had come to pull down the barriers.
His life changed now.
‘Don’t you have an event to host?’ Beth said, turning to Amelia.
Amelia slammed her hand down on the table next to her. The glass top cracked and splintered, a web of lines reaching out towards the edge of the table. She reached down and grabbed a tumbler with a shot of amber liquid. She knocked it back, and then strode from the room, slamming the door behind her.
Jonan swallowed. He was becoming more and more light-headed. He was the Earth Guide in this relationship. He was the one who had to lead Beth towards her path, to awaken her slowly, but in a moment, she had stepped past him. He was flying and he couldn’t find firm ground to land on.
She stepped closer and smiled. She reached up, her fingers trailing his jaw. He breathed heavily, sinking into the moment, allowing the energy to submerge him. Time dropped away. This was forever, past and future. Their bodies were everything and nothing as they shifted closer together, closing the physical gap that separated them.
The touch of her lips jolted him and he pulled her closer, feeling the warmth of her body through his clothes. He wished they were anywhere but here, anywhere but Amelia’s space, her hotel, her energy, her event.
Beth sighed. ‘I have something to tell you.
Jonan’s heart ached as she pulled away, but he nodded and leaned back against the wall.
‘Doriel phoned me.’
Jonan stared at her, and then forced himself to let out the breath he was holding. ‘Is she okay? What did she say?’
‘She told me not to believe anything Amelia says about Bill. She also said your mother is in danger. Does that make any sense to you? Why would Miranda be involved?’
Jonan sighed and sat down on Bill’s chair, dropping his head into his hands. ‘Amelia is still angry with her, but she is in seclusion and Amelia is focused here, for tonight at least. Did Doriel say anything about herself?’
Beth shook her head. No, her phone ran out of battery and she was cut off before she could say any more. And you’re right. We can worry about your mother in the morning. It’s time to do this.’
Jonan nodded, breathing deeply and focusing on slowing the adrenaline that still coursed through his blood. ‘Remember, she’s banking on controlling people through their energy. We can get in the way of that as long as we stay focused, grounded and connected. What we have matters and she knows it. That’s why she’s trying so hard to get between us.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Our energy combined holds a special kind of magic that is powerful enough to unseat her influence. Separately, we are not strong enough to combat her in this place. Together, we can face up to Amelia and the monks. Who knows, maybe we can even bring her back to her path. But whatever you do, don’t let her get into your head. She wants to separate us.’
Beth squeezed his hand. ‘And your head, Jonan. Don’t let her get into your head either.’
Jonan swallowed.
‘We didn’t have a chance to deal with the monks,’ Beth said, her forehead creasing into a frown. ‘You said we’d need Doriel’s help with that. It’s just us now.’
‘I know. That is going to make it harder, but I believe we can do it.’
Beth nodded. ‘I hope you’re right. People make bad decisions when they’re scared. It’s going to be us against a whole roomful of people under her influence, and she’s gathered a very powerful guest list, including the press. If she manages to control them, who knows what she could do?’
Jonan nodded. ‘Did you get me a place on the staff?’
‘I did, but she’ll spot you the moment you walk into the room.’
Jonan gave a tight smile. ‘Don’t worry. Amelia’s ego is her weakness. She won’t see me as a problem.’
Beth turned as the hum of noise from outside grew louder. ‘I’d better get out there, and you’re supposed to be behind the bar. Have you done that before?’
Jonan nodded. ‘I’ve got this.’
Beth straightened her suit and Jonan felt the distance expand between them. She was back in that composed shell, a woman who didn’t need anybody. For once, he was grateful she was so good at it.
He held open the door and she strode through, shoulders back. The sheen of her midnight-blue suit caught the light as she walked through the crowds, weaving in and out through the guests without effort.
Jonan forced himself to breathe through the bubbling anxiety that was all that was left of The Fear. She had this. He had to trust her to do her part, just as she had to trust him with his.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Beth
A hush fell over the room. Glasses clinked as they were set awkwardly on the white linen tablecloths. Chairs scraped across the newly polished wooden floor. The food and drink had done their job.