| |
Back in his room at the inn, Drake murmured the words for one of his favorite spells, one he’d mastered during college. Instead of a pot filled with steaming coffee, a melted mug with sludge inside appeared on the small desk. He cursed and flung the cup and its contents into the plastic lined wastebasket.
He dug his fingers into his hair. In all his years he’d never had an issue with his spells or summoning his magic. He studied with less attention then his instructors desired but he learned everything they could teach him. Drake was a master at his craft and brought the same sheer genius to his company.
Once the money began to roll in, his hours increased until working sixteen to eighteen hour days meant nothing. He got by on four hours of sleep most nights without slowing down and held most of his staff to the same exacting standards. Then six weeks ago his first spell failed.
When Drake tried to clean his desk at the end of the day by sending the reports to his brief case, he’d ended up with an explosion of papers fluttering around him. In shock, Ben had turned to him with a dazed expression. Drake had gone still.
Making matters worse, Kent walked in as the last of his flyaway reports settled on the carpeted floor. “What the...?”
The mishaps continued, getting worse every day. His temple throbbed from sun up to sun down. He developed a tick in his jaw and found himself losing his temper in meeting after meeting. The more his spells and magic failed, the more enraged Drake became. The only thing to calm him down and give him ease was the late night chats with Antonia. He ended up spending half his work day chatting with her about miscellaneous crap. Books, movies, news. Anything to keep the connection with her, a woman who didn’t know anything about him and thus would have no reason to look at him as a failure.
Things came to a head during an international conference call. Something small and so minor it wouldn’t have registered as a blip on his radar in the past. His overseas manager had held up a rare artifact Drake craved to own. Gil smirked and taunted Drake with details on how he’d gotten it for a steal.
“You won’t get this one from me, Drake,” Gil had teased.
Laughing, Drake snapped his fingers and opened his palm.
Nothing happened.
Color drained from his face as he witnessed Gil’s surprised expression. How many times had Drake snatched Gil’s prized possessions from his hands with miles and the ocean between them? But in that one fateful moment, he realized something was really, really wrong.
After much badgering from his assistants, Ben and Kent, Drake went to see a therapist. Dr. Curran was Fae of all things but with his knowledge of magic and the otherworld, Drake hoped he’d be able to help him.
Hours of sessions later and Brody summarized his issues as stress related. Apparently the good doctor believed Drake pushed himself too hard in magic and at work. He blew out a breath, imagine that.
He’d always worked long hours and put in longer days if necessary. He thrived on the energy and it fed his need to be the best in any venture he touched. Which also played into why having his magic go faulty on him was such a disaster.
Drake lived and breathed his abilities. Perhaps he took them for granted but it was hard not to when he could conjure anything he desired with a simply worded spell.
But without his magic, who was he? Would he still be able to claim his warlock heritage? His stomach knotted at the possibility. In order to combat the onset of worry, Drake changed his thoughts to his upcoming dinner with Antonia. As he selected the clothes he’d wear tomorrow, a warning triggered in his brain that getting involved with his curvy online friend could be equal to opening himself to a lot more problems then the ones he currently had.
Thankfully, his phone dinged acting as the perfect distraction. He glanced down at the screen. Ben, bless him, didn’t understand the meaning of downtime either and soon Drake found himself immersed in his work.
At one point his thoughts shifted to Antonia. Did she like flowers? Would it be appropriate to bring them for their dinner? Perhaps a single flower. Something that could be looked at as a token from a friend.
Drake tried to conjure a single rose. He held the clear image of a yellow closed bud in his mind and ended up with a dead stalk in his hand. The sense of failure threatened to overwhelm. His jaw locked and he returned to his work, ignoring the growing wedge in his chest. Tension crept up his spine but he continued.
When his eyes strained from working on the small screen, Drake retrieved his tablet from his bag and began reviewing the attachments and proposals.
***
Toni was in love. Everything about Maverick, Virginia drew her deeper in love with the small town and its residents. Every where she went people greeted her with smiles and struck up a conversation. On top of the congeniality of the town people, there was a charming air to the place in general.
“Excuse me, can you help for a second?”
Toni glanced over her shoulder at a woman smiling in her direction. “Sure.”
Relief crossed her features. “Great. I’m trying to decide on which dress to by for my anniversary with my husband.”
Toni checked out the dresses, one hanging from each of the woman’s hands. Both were beautiful and would look great against the warm brown tones of her skin. Finally, she pointed at the bright red dress with an asymmetrical hem. “That screams sexy to me, if that’s the vibe you’re going for.”
“I’m Alise.” She put back the lemon yellow sundress and extended her hand for Toni to shake. “Nice to meet you.”
“Same here. How long have you been married?” Toni loved hearing about romantic stories.
“Five years.” Alise blushed and smoothed a hand down the front of her shirt and jeans. “This will be our first night out since our son was born a year ago.”
“I hope you have a great time.” Toni picked up a turquoise and silver necklace she’d been debating and decided to buy it for Chrissy.
In line, Alise continued to chat. “Are you from here or visiting? I’m still learning my way around.”
“I’m on vacation. From Florida. Do you live here?”
“Yes.” Alise paid for her dress and reached for the trendy bag stuffed with logo tissue paper. “I moved here from DC because my husband’s from here. Once we had our son, we wanted a quieter pace.”
Toni paid for the necklace. “It’s a lovely spot to live I’m sure.”
Alise brightened. “Yes, once you get used to not having the bustle of a place like DC. I’m sure Caleb will love it.”
“Caleb?”
Alise grinned and her brown eyes sparkled. “My son. He’s turning two.”
“A fun age.”
Alise rolled her eyes. “You have no idea.”
They parted ways and Toni wondered if she’d relocate for a man she fell in love with. An image of Drake and a curly haired toddler popped in her mind.
“Hope to see you around.” Alise waved on her way out, leaving Toni frozen in place at the idea of marriage and kids with Drake.