“Okay,” he said softly. “Want a tour?”
She smiled then, relieved that he was going to take this slow. “Of course.”
He showed her some of the shops and parks along the way to his place, talking to some of the townspeople and introducing her as his friend. It didn’t escape her notice that he never said the word mate, but as they were in his home and they hadn’t truly discussed what they were to each other, she didn’t blame him in the slightest. His words, though, didn’t stop the speculation in people’s eyes. She just raised her chin and let it roll off her. She was used to it.
By the time they reached his place—not the castle, but near it—she was exhausted and full of energy at the same time. She had no idea how she could be both, but she couldn’t help it. She wanted to take in everything yet had already done so much.
Levi’s home was a large three-story mansion that put her small house to shame. However, it was nothing like the castle. Unlike the castle that had been made of dark stone, this one was lighter and had large windows everywhere that made the place look open and inviting. The place was set off from the main road with large trees all around to hide it from prying eyes. It didn’t look like a new building, but was in good repair and looked as if someone cared for it. Though it should have felt too big for her, for some reason, it felt warm, if not yet lived in. She couldn’t help but notice some of the boxes in the corner and the fact that the walls were bare. “Uh, Levi? When did you move in?”
He grimaced and looked around at the place. “Two years ago. I moved in when I joined the Conclave even though I couldn’t really stay here often, if ever, and then with you…well, unpacking hasn’t been at the top of my priorities.”
She snorted then looked around the foyer, her neck straining as she looked up. “Uh, Levi. This place is huge. Why do you need it for just you?”
She looked at him and froze. His face had paled, and she wanted to take back her question. “Oh, God. You’re married. You’re married, and that’s why this is so weird between us. Why I’m all alone here and you didn’t introduce me to anyone other than as your friend.” She took a step back, her hands shaking. No. This couldn’t be happening. Not again. Not to her.
Levi’s body twitched, as if he’d physically snapped out of what he’d been thinking. “No, Faith. God no. I’m not married. Not anymore. Fuck. I’m doing this all wrong. I cannot believe I did this wrong.”
She licked her lips, her heart aching. She didn’t even know why she was feeling that way. It wasn’t as though she knew the man in front of her. He was just Levi, no one important to her. And if she kept that in mind, then it wouldn’t hurt.
“I’m not married, Faith.”
“But you were.”
He nodded. “I was. And the reason my house is so big? It’s for my daughters, Faith. I have two daughters.”
Her knees gave out, and she would have hit the ground if he hadn’t caught her by the elbows.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice shaky.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” she exclaimed. “You’re a dad, and you didn’t think to mention it? What the fuck were you thinking? How could you keep that a secret?”
He helped her stand, and she quickly pulled away from him. He kept his hand held out then looked down at it, confusion on his face. “It’s a long story, Faith.”
“No. They are your children. They aren’t a long story.” Oh, God it hurt. She’d been the long story, the forgotten child, the one that no one loved. She’d be damned if she’d have a hand in making that happen to two little girls.
“You’re right. They’re my children. Juliana is ten, and Arya is six. I married their mother, Lynn, because it was the right fit with my family. She seemed like a nice woman, and I wanted children.”
“Sounds like a love match,” Faith mumbled. God, why was she acting like this? She wasn’t with Levi, despite the bond that had formed between them. She had no claim on his future or his past. She didn’t even want him. Yet look at her, acting like some jealous girlfriend. This was not her, and she needed to stop acting like this. Though in all honesty, she was feeling the pain for his children more than this other woman in his life.
“It wasn’t. Not by far. And when we were married and Lynn got the money and title she wanted? She changed. I hated her, Faith. I still do. But I love my daughters. By the time it became too much to deal with and I was ready to leave with my girls, the Conclave called.”
Faith winced, remembering what had happened when the Conclave called Dante. They hadn’t given him a chance to say no, hadn’t given him a chance to be with his mates. He’d fought for his freedom and the right to live as a dragon rather than another enslaved member of the Conclave. She’d died because of it—not that she wanted to think about that just then. “And once the Conclave called, you didn’t have a choice,” she whispered.
Levi reached out to cup her face, and she didn’t pull back, surprising herself and him from the look in his eyes. “I didn’t have a choice. I had to leave my daughters with a woman I hated because, if I didn’t, those in charge would have killed them. I had no grounds to take the girls from Lynn, and despite the fact that she and I weren’t meant for each other, she is still their mother. I divorced Lynn so she couldn’t hurt my family, and I did everything in my power to keep my girls safe. Then I met you, and the Conclave went fucking crazier and attacked Dante and the rest.”
“That’s true but still doesn’t tell me why you didn’t mention the fact you have kids and an ex-wife.”
“Because I was so used to keeping them secret to keep them safe that I pushed the connection down so only my heart could touch them. And when I was ready to tell the others—your friends and the people I’ve grown closer to over the year—about them, I couldn’t. I wanted you to know first. And, Faith, today was the first day we’ve spoken for longer than two minutes. Only the second time ever. I didn’t know how to bring them up, and because of that, I feel like a fucking dick. They are my children, the most important part of me, but I didn’t know how to tell you because I’m so fucking lost around you. That’s on me. Not you.”
She let out a breath, leaning into his hand. “We’re doing this all wrong,” she whispered. Not that she knew what they were doing or whether it would all be worth it in the end. She should just walk away to protect them both. She’d been fine on her own all these years. She shouldn’t need a man to complete herself. Yet she couldn’t walk away. Not until she figured out what this feeling was.
Damn it.
He closed his eyes, his body shuddering. “I know. I just don’t know how to do it right. I’ve never had a mate before.”
“Me neither.” She wanted to curse herself for speaking. Levi couldn’t be her mate. She was human. She didn’t want a man in her life. And if she kept saying that, maybe she’d actually believe it.
She opened her mouth to speak, but the door opened right at that moment. Faith turned to see a tall, very thin woman stride through the door, her pinched face narrowing.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing with my husband?”
Oh goodie.
The ex.
Just what Faith needed right then.
“Daddy?”
Faith closed her eyes.
Oh, this was just getting better and better.
Levi pulled back, and Faith opened her eyes to see his face go blank. She couldn’t miss the rage in his body. She didn’t know what to do, what to say, so she just did what came naturally.
She stood up for herself. And Levi.
“Excuse me? No. You’re not his wife. You’re his ex. And watch your tone around your kids.”
The woman opened her mouth to speak, but Levi held up his hand, magic swirling around him. It didn’t look as though he was using it against anyone, but it was a warning nonetheless. She didn’t know how she’d fit in with all this magic running around her, but she’d been doing just fine with the others who had changed over the past few years. She’d figure it o
ut. Or she’d leave. It was what she did.
“Lynn. Never use those words around my children. Juliana? Arya? Come inside. There’s someone I want you to meet.” His voice softened for the girls, and Faith couldn’t help the small smile on her face. She liked kids. She just didn’t tell many people that.
“Daddy? Who is this?” the oldest one asked from Lynn’s side, a frown on her face. The littlest one, Arya, walked right up to Levi and held up her hands. He reached down and picked her up and held her close, even though she hadn’t spoken.
They looked so much like their father with dark hair and bright blue eyes. Their pale skin glowed like they’d been in the bath recently, and their little mouths were perfect cupid’s bows. They didn’t look anything like Lynn, which surprised her.
“Arya, Juliana, this is Faith.”
“Faith? That’s it? That’s all you’re going to say?” Lynn snapped. “Who is this human, and why is she in our home?”
“Lynn. This is my home. My daughters’ home.”
Faith blinked again, the anger in Levi’s tone making her want to comfort him. Yet she wasn’t the type to confront. No, instead, she wanted to leave and let these people deal with their own problems. Fuck fate and all of this crap. She wouldn’t live her life the way others had wanted her to. She would be who she was with no apologies. Only she wasn’t sure who she was anymore.
And that scared the shit out of her.
“They are my children. Therefore, this is my home, too,” Lynn sniped.
Faith’s brain hurt at the woman’s sense of reality. So much stupidity and entitlement in such a skinny package. She’d started off the day working on gaining the gumption to attend a party with her friends, and now she was dealing with an ex wife, his kids, and a mate she was just starting to get to know and to like. There was only so much she could take before she snapped.
“Lynn.” One word from the man at her side and the woman in front of her closed her mouth. If Faith had heard that much contempt aimed at her, she might have done the same. “Thank you for bringing the girls to me. I didn’t know you were coming by.”
The woman lifted a lip in a snarl. “I need to go to an important ball tonight, so they are yours. While we were on our way, people, of course, had to tell me about you and your precious human enjoying your day in my city. Really, Levi. You should know better.”
“I can’t even with you right now,” Faith put in, tired, and bored with this woman already. She put a smile on her face for the sake of the girls. “If you’re done, you can drop off the girls and get to your ball. I’m sure they will be safe with their dad.”
“And you?” Lynn sneered.
Faith glanced at Levi, who just lifted his lips in a small smile. It he seemed to like the fact that she stood up for herself. Well, that was something at least. “What about me?”
“Go, Lynn. Thank you for dropping off my daughters. I’m sure you need to get ready for your ball.” It looked as if he wanted to say so much more but was holding himself back. Strong man.
Lynn flounced away, and Faith just stared at the woman’s retreating back. Seriously? Just no. She didn’t have it in her to deal with the woman’s drama right then.
She needed to meet two little girls who looked so freaking confused. They weren’t alone. Faith needed a drink. Or seven. And maybe a nap. Because the last she knew she’d been a happy, stressed human, and then she was mated to a wizard prince with two children.
This would only happen to Faith.
Now she needed to figure out what she was going to do about it.
Chapter Six
Levi closed his eyes for a brief moment then let out a breath. This was not how he expected the day to go. He’d wanted only to show Faith around and get her away from her worries, if only for a moment. Instead, he’d thrown her headfirst into whole new set of worries and troubles.
Arya’s arms tightened around his neck, and he rubbed her back. She didn’t seem afraid, but he could tell she didn’t feel completely at ease, either. He didn’t blame his daughter since he was feeling pretty much the same right then. Juliana raised her chin, looking so much like her mother just then that Levi wanted to hug her close and wash away any lingering resentment his daughter held.
It wasn’t that easy though. It never was.
“Who is she, Daddy?” Juliana asked again and brushed her hair back from her shoulders. She might be only ten, but she was quickly becoming a young woman. How the hell had that happened?
“I’m Faith,” she said, giving Levi a look. “I’m your dad’s friend.”
He gave her a slight nod. They wouldn’t be telling the girls about how they’d met or what might happen between them in the future. It made sense, considering he and Faith hadn’t truly talked about it. He didn’t want to confuse his daughters when he was only now feeling his way back into their lives.
“Yes, Faith is my friend, and I was showing her around.”
Faith’s shoulders relaxed, relief spreading over her face, and Levi tried not to feel too put out about that. It seemed they’d have to work on her feelings for him—as soon as he figured out his feelings for her.
“Faith, this is Arya,” he said, bouncing his daughter in his arms a couple times. Arya didn’t speak but stared at Faith.
Faith smiled softly, the action brightening her face. He’d seen her angry, scared, dreaming, and somewhat happy, but this look was one he never thought he’d see on her. He liked it.
“Hi, Arya. It’s nice to meet you.”
Arya didn’t answer, and Faith raised a brow at him. He gave a quick shake of his head and hoped she got the message. He’d explain what he could later, but he hoped to God that his little girl would speak soon. It didn’t matter who she spoke to at this point, because he was scared to death that something far worse was wrong and he wasn’t strong enough to fix it.
“This is Juliana,” Levi said once he turned to his other daughter. His eldest hadn’t moved from the door. She had her chin up and her arms folded over her chest. She’d never looked more like her mother than right then, despite her coloring. This didn’t bode well.
“Hello, Juliana,” Faith said, her voice not quite as soft as it had been for Arya. He didn’t blame her though, considering the daggers in Juliana’s gaze that were pointed her way.
“Who is she, Daddy?” Juliana asked again, not even looking at Faith.
Levi held back a sigh and set Arya on her feet. His youngest daughter clung to his leg, and he ran his hand through her hair. At least one of his daughters seemed to still like him, even if she didn’t speak.
Hell, he needed to fix his family, fix his life, fix his Conclave, fix…everything.
And he had no idea where to start.
So unlike him.
“Juliana, I already told you. Don’t you want to come fully inside and give us a proper hello?”
His daughter’s eyes narrowed, and he braced himself for whatever else she might say.
“It’s okay, Levi,” Faith put in then turned to Juliana. “I get it. I really do. Today has been a long day, I know, and I bet you weren’t ready to meet me. Or even to know I exist. Right?”
Juliana blinked at Faith, biting her lip. “I want to go home.”
“You are home, honey,” Levi replied. “One of your homes.” The divorce had been hard on his daughters; he knew that. He hoped that one day they’d be okay with him again. It didn’t help that he’d been forced to leave them with Lynn to save their lives. He’d fucked it all up, and now he had to find the right path. Only he didn’t know how to do that. It made him feel weak, useless, not who he normally was. He couldn’t force his daughters to love him again, to like him. No amount of yelling and growling would work here. He’d have to show them he was there for them, no matter what. That’s why Levi had taken his position in the Conclave and within his realm. He’d taken the path that was required, not the one that would be easy. He negotiated and tried to calmly wade his way through the murky waters of life. It didn’t mea
n it always worked though.
Faith’s dying had been proof of that.
She was alive now, alive and connected to him for all time.
One more thing to be dealt with.
“I want one home. I want to have you and Mommy there and not have to come here. Why did you have to leave, Daddy? Why did you do this to us?”
Levi felt as if he’d been struck, his heart breaking for his little girl. “Honey, we talked about this.”
“I want to go home!” With that, Juliana ran past him, fleeing up the stairs.
He closed his eyes, his hand running through Arya’s hair.
“I’m sorry for that, Faith,” he said softly.
Faith shook her head. “No worries. Seriously. That kid looks like she’s been through enough.” She knelt down so she was at Arya’s eye level. “You’re really pretty, Arya. I see how smart you are behind those eyes of yours. It’s really nice to meet you.”
With that, Levi fell a little in love with Faith. She understood his girls when he wasn’t sure he did. She’d faced Lynn and his problems head-on, didn’t back down, and she stood up for herself.
“Faith…I…”
He clutched his head, the roaring making his eyes cross. He felt the blood drain from his face and sweat broke out on his brow and temples. It was like a roaring knock that resounded over and over, making his back molars ache.
Faith gripped his wrist. “Levi? What is it?”
“The Conclave. It’s a summons.” The roaring ceased, and he blinked then cracked his jaw, trying to make his eyes quit blurring. “I need to go.” He looked down at Arya and then over his shoulder at where Juliana had gone. “I can’t leave them here alone.” He met Faith’s wide eyes and shook his head. “I’ll call my parents and have them come.” He brushed Arya’s cheek. “Grandma and Grandpa would love seeing you, and I’ll be home as soon as I can.”
Arya didn’t speak but leaned into him more, as if afraid that, if she let him go, he’d never come back. He understood her fear, as he’d once been forced to do just that, but he wouldn’t be doing it again.
Fierce Enchantment Page 6
