Fae-ted to the Bear - Harmony Raines Page 0,13

coffee cup on the floor.

“I wasn’t criticizing,” Karros replied.

“Your expression was.” Caleb wagged his finger at Karros. “It’s not all about looks. My truck is reliable and able to stand up to the worst of the weather.”

“How bad does the weather get?” Elise shivered. “Do you get a lot of snow?”

“Over the mountains. We do get some in town. And some winters the river freezes over, and we ice skate on it.” He chuckled. “You’ll love it here, honestly.”

“I don’t really like the cold.” She hugged herself as he drove away from the beach.

“The thing about the cold is when it’s freezing outside, or raining, then you stay inside in front of a fire, drinking hot chocolate and eating brownies.” His eyes lit up. “Then you get to snuggle up in bed. There’s nothing like feeling safe and snug while the wind whistles outside the window.”

“Does that mean you don’t like the cold either?” Elise asked.

“The cold never bothers me. I’m hot-blooded.” He side-eyed her, his expression telling her he would be good to keep her warm on a cold winter’s night. “My bear loves rolling in the snow. He likes playing in it, too.”

“Your bear.” She rocked back and forth as if trying to warm herself from the cold even though it was summer, and the weather was sunny. “What’s he like?”

“He’s a bear,” Karros said drily. “I guess he’s like any other bear.”

“Are you being tetchy again?” she asked.

“No, I’m just saying. A bear is a bear. Nothing special.”

“My bear is a part of me. I’d argue he isn’t just any bear.”

“Will you show me? Tonight. If we’re still on for our date?” Elise asked excitedly.

“Sure,” Caleb replied. “Once we’ve figured out where you’re going to live.”

“We don’t have a lot of stuff to unpack,” Elise replied. “And if we don’t find anywhere, we might have to book a room at the hotel.”

“I think they’re fully booked,” Caleb replied. “You can stay at my apartment if you’re really stuck.”

“Oh, no,” Karros replied.

“Why not?” Elise swung around to gaze at her brother.

“I thought you lived with Aiden?” Karros asked bluntly. “I’m sure Flora told her father that Aiden lived with his twin.”

“Oh. Okay. Cancel that idea. Sorry,” she told Karros.

“Aiden and Flora are looking for a place of their own. Until they find somewhere, they’re planning on staying in Logan’s cabin in the mountains,” Caleb quickly explained. “Our apartment isn’t very big. But if you’re stuck, you can stay there for a couple of nights and I can move back into the hotel. My mom has a spare room in her apartment.”

“Okay, we have a backup plan.” She nudged Karros in the ribs. “That’s a really kind offer, isn’t it?”

“It is. Thanks, Caleb.” Although Karros looked mutinous over the idea of staying in his love rival’s apartment, even for a night.

Caleb drove out of town and their conversation faltered as Elise and Karros admired the view. While the bay was a haven from the ocean, as they rounded the headland, huge rocks jutted up and the waves crashed upon them, sending white plumes of water into the air.

“The story is that long ago, when the town was first settled, the witches who cast the spell to protect themselves and their supernatural secrets, also made rock monsters who would sleep until they were called upon to protect the town. These rocks are those sleeping rock monsters. If ever there’s a threat from land or sea, they would rise up and fight.”

“Children’s stories,” Karros replied. “Like the ones the people in the world beyond tell about the fae folk.”

“Oh, fairies with magic wands!” Elise chuckled. “I love those stories.”

“Those stories make people believe we are benevolent creatures who leave money beneath a child’s pillow in exchange for their teeth.” Karros rolled his eyes. “What do they think we do with all of those teeth?”

“You are such a sourpuss,” Elise complained.

“Do you always fight like this?” Caleb drove the truck along the meandering road with the sun shining through the windshield.

“No, we fight much worse,” Elise replied lightly. “But we also get along really well. We’ve learned to stick together. We might fight but no one comes between us.”

“Ah, but now that you have a mate that might change.” Karros was good at identifying her troubled thoughts and magnifying them. “You will soon pick Caleb over me. Over your brother who has known you all your life.”

“Just like you would have chosen Flora over me if you had married her.” Elise arched