grace. The gazes of both newcomers snapped to him like rubber bands.
He bent and offered me his hand, which I gladly took, and helped me up.
It wasn’t until I started walking toward them with a smile that the newcomers refocused on me, but judging by the tension in their bearings and their occasional glances at Austin, following at my back, his presence weighed on their minds.
“Welcome,” I said, stopping in front of them. Niamh didn’t bother to get up, but watched us with her head tilted and her beer in hand.
Both newcomers bent at the knee, their bows deep, their eyes continually flicking to Austin.
“This is Austin Steele, the peacekeeper of the town.” I stepped to the side a little and motioned to him.
Austin didn’t step or bend forward, like I had thought he might. Instead, he stared at each of them in turn with a flat expression, his eyes sparkling aggressively. He wasn’t even trying to assume the commander of the house role right now—this was just his way. He did this posturing stuff in his sleep, which was why he didn’t need to wear that sheriff badge, I guess.
“This is Niamh.” I put out my hand to her. “She is one of the original protectors of Ivy House, as is Edgar there, in the back.”
“Hello. Lovely to make…see you.” Edgar bowed. “Your acquaintance.”
“Fail,” Niamh drawled.
“You’ve met Mr. Tom, of course.” I put out my hand for him. “So…do you plan to stay for a while, or…” I motioned for them to sit.
“We stay so long you need us, Majesty.” Alek bowed to me.
“No, no.” I gave him a stop gesture. “Don’t call me that.”
“She likes to remain informal while at home,” Mr. Tom said, stepping forward, his haughtiness knowing no bounds. “You may address her as ‘miss.’”
“Yes, of course.” Alek bowed again. It was clearly his go-to move. “It is an honor, miss. Our people…” He muttered a collection of syllables I couldn’t make sense of.
“Jealous,” Edgar helped, clearly knowing whatever language Alek had used.
“Yes, yes, jeal-os.” Alek bobbed his head. “We pick. They no. We the best. Proof.”
“The tales of the Ivy heirs of the past all speak of her beauty and power…” Cedric put his hand on his chest. “They were correct. You are ravishing. A woman of experience, as well. I was expecting younger.” I tensed, then widened my eyes when he went a direction I didn’t expect. “This is a nice surprise. I look forward to your heightened sensual experience. It is said that a woman of your age is at her sexual peak, is it not?”
“Now. Aren’t you glad I stocked you up, miss?” Mr. Tom’s eyebrows rose and he zipped his eyes back and forth, as if to say, See? Two younger guys to take a turn in the sheets with. “They’ll have excellent stamina. You’ll be able to do away with all that online Dick-dating hoopla.”
“Oh my God, what is his malfunction?” I muttered, mortified.
“Time check,” Niamh said with a crooked smile. “Don’t be late on account of the hired help.”
“I’ll walk you,” Austin said, his hand touching down on the small of my back.
“Right. Well.” I smiled at the guys, trying to hide my embarrassment. “Mr. Tom will fix you something to eat and get you settled. We have plenty of room if you need a place to stay.”
Austin’s head snapped toward me, his gaze questioning.
“We…stay?” Alek asked.
Cedric turned to watch me exit.
“Yes, yes, she has some business to attend to.” Mr. Tom took up his position in the doorway after Austin and I had passed. “She’s very busy, as I said. She must not be delayed. Now, settle in and I will explain all the particulars. You need to know about her life leading up to this moment.”
His voice cut off as I stepped outside. Having forgotten a shawl, I wrapped my magic around me for warmth.
My magic. It still sounded so crazy, but in some ways it had already become second nature.
“What is with Mr. Tom?” I asked, taking Austin’s arm again. He chose a slower pace, more like a stroll, sauntering down the sidewalk toward town, where I would meet my date. “What is with those gargoyles just assuming they’d get laid?”
“Gargoyles are one of the more…promiscuous magical types, I think. You wouldn’t know it because of their…gruff nature, but they do like to get down with whoever is willing. The female of the species is quite rare, and she often cycles through males at her leisure