Fierce Enchantment (8 page)

“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 out. 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.

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 mean 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.

Not even for a Conclave that thought they owned his soul.

“What do you need me to do?” Faith asked, her face pale.

He didn’t blame her, considering the Conclave had not only started her new course in life with the lightning strike but were also the ones who had tried to kill her friends on the battlefield. It might not have been everyone on the Conclave, and it sure hadn’t been him, but he still represented the group who had irrevocably altered her life.

“I’ll take you home on my way to the Conclave,” Levi said. “I’m sorry our day ended the way it did.”

She gave him a small smile then shook her head. “It’s okay. But you’ll be safe, won’t you?” Faith asked.
Faith
She looked down at Arya and winced.

“Arya, honey, will you go and sit with Juliana?” he asked. She lifted her arms, and he picked her up, kissing her cheek. “I’ll be back home. I promise, Arya darling. I promise.” His little girl sniffed then hugged him tighter before allowing him to set her down.

Then, she did the most astonishing thing. She turned to Faith and hugged her legs before running off toward the stairs.

He blinked at Faith, who stood staring wide-eyed at him. “I…I don’t think I’ve ever seen her hug a stranger,” he said dumbstruck.

“That…I…well…has she spoken?” Faith asked, apparently ignoring what had happened. He didn’t blame her since he didn’t understand it himself.

He shook his head. “Not since I left.” The roaring came back, and he staggered toward Faith. She caught him then cupped his face.

“Call your parents and get me home. You need to take care of whatever you need to with the Conclave.” She took a deep breath. “I know you’re not one of the members who are going batshit crazy, but it’s still hard to think you’re one of them.”

He nodded then winced, his head aching. “We can talk about it when I get back.”

“We have a lot to talk about when you get back it seems,” she said, her hands on his arms, not holding him up anymore but still keeping him steady.

Odd that her touch would do that when part of him wanted to push her against the wall and take her as his. He shoved that part down though, knowing it wasn’t the time. He also had a feeling she didn’t think him capable of doing that. He might act the calm and cool wizard, but inside, his veins flowed with the fire of a man who wanted the woman in front of him. He had a feeling he’d surprise her when he took her to bed, or on the floor, or a nearby table.

He cleared his throat then took a step back, pointedly ignoring the lead pipe in his pants.

“This isn’t over,” he said, his voice more of a growl.

She raised a brow. “I figured. But one step at a time. Okay?”

“Of course.” One step at a time. That’s the only way they could move forward. But where they were going? That he didn’t know.

Yet.

By the time his parents arrived to watch their grandchildren, Levi felt as if his head was going to explode. To expedite matters, Faith stood on the back porch and waited for him to open a portal to her home from there. Neither of them had wanted to deal with the meeting of the parents right then. Of course, he knew Juliana would mention Faith to them as soon as he was gone, so he was going to have to explain at some point. He just hoped they understood that he wasn’t going to be doing what he’d always done and follow the path of the wizards.