How was this possible? Unless…
What if Imperians and Earthlings were related? One group could have left their world to populate another.
He noticed the swirling symbols next to the word Druid, and sucked in a breath, excited. “This.” He pointed. “This means magic in Druinn.”
“What are Druinn?”
“My mother’s people,” he replied, fighting the urge to hug the device and the symbol to his chest.
Katie peered up at him through the thick shield of her lashes, her features softening, tension melting away. “You must miss your family.”
“I do. More than I can ever articulate,” he said, his voice ragged. A sense of urgency settled over him. “Let us waste no more time. We will leave immediately and postpone the…” What had she called it? Oh, aye. “The calf-fay.”
“Oh, we will, will we?” she asked, drumming her nails against the counter. “You’re one hundred percent in charge now?”
She isn’t like other females, remember? What was more, she’d saved his life. Because of Katie, he’d shed centuries of despair and gained the most glorious hope.
He owed her, something he’d forgotten amid the excitement of gaining his freedom.
Well, well. What was this? Looked like his personality had gotten tweaked already. Now that he’d acclimated to his new circumstances, he could see past his desperation to finally break the curse—somewhat—and admit a harsh truth.
As he’d watched the world around him, unable to participate, he’d seen wonders and horrors. Acts of love and acts of hate. Genuine kindnesses and great selfishness. He’d realized the Jorlan pre-curse had been more selfish than anyone he’d observed. He’d been self-involved, the contributions of others unimportant to him.
He’d realized he’d always selected lovers based on outward appearance, nothing more. In fact, he’d fallen for Maylyn’s face rather than Maylyn herself. Never again.
His future would be different from his past. And Katie…she would be, what? The woman he’d pleasured and abandoned after she’d saved him, or would she be—could she be—something more?
* * *
KATIE THREW IN the towel, waved the white flag, caved. Whatever the saying, she accepted that the day was only going to get worse.
Currently, she stood in front of an old, crumbly building with a neon pink sign that read YES, I KNEW YOU WERE COMING.
Sunlight glared at the peeling yellow, blue and gold paint that covered the splintered wood. Parts of the roof were shingle-less, and weeds filled the front lawn. Such an atrocity!
Given enough time and cash, she could flip this place into a dream, and rid the world of a visual blemish.
“Maybe we should pick a different shop?” she said to Jorlan, who towered at her side. She loved standing next to him so freaking much. “Or do you sense magic?”
He scanned the perimeter, no doubt taking in every detail. “No, but the most powerful of the Druinn can disguise and hide their power.”
Great! “All right, then. Inside we go,” she said, pushing open the door. A bell tinkled.
He hesitated, different emotions playing over his features. Hope. Doubt. Determination. Worry.
Now she released the door, letting it close with a whoosh. What worried Jorlan most? Failure—or success? He probably feared his family’s reaction to his return. Would they welcome him with open arms or look upon as a stranger? What if they’d all died during his absence?
How much time had passed on Imperia? How many of his friends had passed away? How many still lived?
Her chest tightened with sympathy. Poor Jorlan. He wanted to go home, and she couldn’t blame him. Were the situation reversed, she’d want the same thing, would do anything, use anyone, to get it.
“I’ll be with you the entire time,” Katie told him. “If this psychic isn’t able to get you home, we’ll find another one, I promise. We won’t stop until we succeed.”
He met her gaze and shared a warm half smile. “A man could get lost in the sensual web you weave, witch, forgetting he has any troubles.”
That was…that…he… That was the sweetest thing anyone had ever said to her and dang him, if he’d said it simply to get into her pants, she would reach into his mouth and rip out his tongue.
“Jorlan.” What to say? What to do?
He shifted from one foot to the other and muttered, “Mayhap I’ll take you with me, and make love to you while we are enveloped by the mystical mists of Imperia.” As soon as the words left him, he frowned. Hadn’t meant to speak out loud, huh?
She recognized the words for what they were—an easily dismissible thought. An idea he would entertain and discard. So, she wouldn’t let herself ponder it.
“I will never leave my brothers,” she said. They were bastards to be sure, but they were her bastards. “Let’s do this.”
Once again, she pushed open the door. The bell tinkled again. When she took a step inside, Jorlan latched on to her arm, stopping her.
“I will go first and ensure you are not walking into danger.” He didn’t give her time to argue. He marched inside.
She knew she wore a stupid grin as she followed him. Instead of portraits or sconces, the walls boasted incense holders. Jasmine-tinged smoke curled from one of them, scenting the air. Soft, lyrical music played in the background.
Plush burgundy carpet cushioned her sandaled feet. Katie had never been a fan of carpet, but even she had to admit this was a major luxury when compared to the shop’s exterior.
Jorlan prowled through the small, dim lobby. There were a couple chairs, and a coffee table scattered with magazines and crystals. No other furnishings, and zero clients. No receptionist, either. No one rushed out to greet them.
Finally, an attractive woman in her midfifties, with hazel eyes and prominent cheekbones, stepped beyond an entrance covered with decorative fringe. She wore black slacks and a tailored white blouse nothing like Katie had imagined.
“Hello,” the woman said. “I am Hollybeth. Welcome to my establishment.” She had the cultured accent of an English gentlewoman. “How may I help you?”
Hollybeth ignored her, remaining focused on Jorlan.
He dispensed with pleasantries. “Do you possess the power to—”
Katie slammed a hand over Jorlan’s mouth. “Why don’t you tell us why we’re here.” Surely a self-professed “seer” could answer so simple a question.
Jorlan pried her hand from his mouth, but didn’t release his grip. He kept her palm captured in the warmth of his own. “Next time you wish to silence me, katya,” he growled softly, the words meant only for her, “use your tongue.”
“Ah, young love,” Hollybeth said with a sigh.
He grinned. Katie frowned, her doubts increasing.
The older woman gave her a faint smile, deepening the crinkles at the corners of her eyes. “You do not believe in the supernatural, do you, dear?”
“I believe in facts,” Katie replied, doing her best to ignore the rightness of holding hands with Jorlan. There was just something so gratifying about having her fingers linked with his, a subtle reassurance and a tangible show of affection. Even though he felt nothing substantial for her, this made her feel needed.