The Matchmaker's Mark (30 page)

"It'll work out. You'll see." Maeve waved the idea of a rogue werewolf off like a mosquito. "What's next for you?"

Amy thought of the book and Mac's insistence on secrecy and controlling her itinerary. Maeve would like Mac for his brogue, his broad chest, and his determination to protect the Matchmaker until the new team came together.

"You can't keep teaching," Maeve blurted suddenly. "Your lecture halls would turn into orgies."

"Worthy of the Romans." Amy burst out laughing. Wiping the tears from her eyes, trying to catch her breath, she voiced the rest of the thought. "At least no one would skip class."

Maeve laughed harder and the rich, happy sound smoothed out the rough edges of Amy's concerns. "However it works, I saw your face when I inadvertently marked him. Please tell me you'll be careful, that you'll cooperate with whoever Dare sends to guard you."

"Is the guard as cute as Mr. Wolfie?"

"God, you're hopeless." Amy rolled her eyes.

Maeve batted her lashes and clasped her hands over her heart. "You have that effect on me." She stopped hamming it up. "Seriously, what are you going to do with yourself?"

"I'll be traveling a bit while we get a handle on this Matchmaker thing. I'm not allowed to tell anyone exactly where we'll be."

Maeve huffed. "But you'll stay in contact, right? Tell me you're not doing anything extreme like chucking the Internet or Facebook."

"I'll stay in contact," Amy promised. "But you have to do the same."

"Pinky swear." Maeve hooked her pinky with Amy's. "Forever." She looked to the ceiling, blinking away the sheen of tears. "Now hug me, because I've got to get to a faculty thing and I can't go with raccoon eyes."

As if Maeve ever looked less than perfect. "If you need me, I'll be here," Amy whispered. To the best of her knowledge Mac didn't have super hearing, but why take chances?

She watched her friend leave, excited and afraid for the next step in both their lives.

When Lily came upstairs to check on her, she pointed to the chair. "Have a seat, please."

"Sure."

"Thanks for all your help with me and this transition. Even your cat's been very friendly," she began. "You're welcome." Lily shot Henry a look. He was only friendly when there was something in it for him. She wondered, laughing at her whimsy. As if the matchmaker would have any positive effect on Henry's love life.

"It came to my attention that you've chosen to remain on the human side of things."

Lily only nodded, hearing the lecturing professor in Amy's voice.

"I think that's a good decision for you. You have a community, an established routine. You'll be safer here if only because those biased against you find this area less than ideal."

"True enough."

"I'm not sure you understand that you could be useful to the elf houses. Even the royal house."

Lily snorted. "I'm not in the market to become a mounted trophy."

Amy smiled, oozing an irritating amount of serenity. "They tell me that's gone out of fashion."

"You've been to the royal house?" Lily couldn't help herself. The Matchmaker – Amy – was human. A powerful human, but still. Alarms started ringing in her head. "My father. You've seen him?"

"Not directly is the best answer to both your questions. You've learned more about your mark since we met at the churchyard."

"Yes." That had been a night of several amazing discoveries. "My father showed me a great deal."

Amy leaned forward, her blue eyes bright and intense. "That's why I'm here. To show you all your choices."

Lily leaned back, uncertain. She'd learned words had many meanings and caution was the best guide when magic and her elf relatives were involved.

Amy held out her hand. "I've been asked to make an arrangement for you."

"Has it occurred to anyone I might not want to be matched?"

"Maybe you believe you already are?"

Piercing wasn't strong enough to describe the look Amy leveled at her with those strange blue eyes. Guilt niggled at the corners, burning like a wildfire through her entire being. Lily wrapped her arms tight around her middle and tried to be strong. "No. I am not matched," she insisted.

Amy sat back, smiling. "Then I'll have no problems completing the assignment I was given."

"This isn't fair," Lily protested. "I've been living here just fine. The elves have nothing to fear from me." She charged on when the Matchmaker merely raised an eyebrow. "There's nothing to gain by telling tales of things people don't believe in anymore. I don't gain anything here if people think I'm crazy."

"You play with your magic as you work."

"A little, but it's never harmful." A sudden thought occurred to Lily. "They don't want me matched, they want me guarded."

Amy tipped her chin in the thinnest acknowledgment.

"That's outrageous!" Lily jumped to her feet. "I can take care of myself. I was offered a choice and I made it. A choice that keeps me out of their way!"

"So this case won't be so simple?"

"Who do they intend for me?"

"Sit down," Amy ordered. Lily flopped back into the chair. "Relax. It doesn't have to be the end of your world. People need a purpose, a way to give. Those who don't have that tend to be miserable or make the world miserable. Would you be one of those types?"

"I never have been. I have a purpose, a shop, and community I enjoy."

"And as this community ages around you?"

"I'll be fine. Lots of women around here look younger than they are. There are excuses I can offer."

"Tricks you can apply?"

"If necessary."

"So your magic continues to grow?"

"You already know that. More importantly, my understanding grows. And so does my independence. I don't need to be matched."

"You don't even know who they have in mind."

Lily curled in on herself, physically and emotionally. It wouldn't matter. The only male she wanted was Dare and that wouldn't be real. She could hardly base a relationship on a wish she made when she was too young and too stupid to know better.

"Your father has given consent."

Lily swiped at the tears spilling onto her cheeks. "He means well. Probably."

"Definitely. He gave you the best shelter he could provide."

Lily only nodded.

"Do you understand your gifts, Lily? Do you understand why you are such a concern to your father's people?"

She shrugged dismissively.

"When you were with Dare in the clearing, your joy brought plants to life."

"Something you'd think a culture linked so closely with nature would appreciate."

"Listen to me," Amy snapped. "What you want is within your grasp. Your choice and your dream."

"But it's not his choice. He's compelled and that's not fair. To him or me."

"An arrangement by me is binding."

"Which is why you should leave. I refuse to be party to this."

"Lily." Amy lowered her voice. "I don't know much about my new role here." She moved closer, speaking so softly Lily had to strain to hear her. "The little I've learned so far tells me I can compel people to be amenable to arranged matches, that I can make the process easier. But Dare's warned me how individual hearts and desires can raise havoc with the best laid plans.

"The royal house has a plan for you, but if you'll just let me in, tell me what your heart says, I can help you."

Lily didn't know if she could believe it, she only knew she shouldn't. Dare was everything she wanted, but was she everything he needed? Not even close.

Amy pressed her palms together. "Agendas are ambiguous, even dangerous. But dreams…oh, dreams are precious, Lily. You know this. Every day in your shop you give a little of yourself. A small blessing of light and hope goes out into a world in desperate need of such things. You need to stay right here, Lily, but you deserve to be happy in the process."

"But I only want to be happy with Dare." She looked down, startled to see her hands in the gentle hold of the Matchmaker. "No!" She tried to pull away, but Amy held firm. "Don't force him where he cannot stay."

"Trust me. I don't believe I'm as strong as all that. Yet." She winked.

Lily felt the mark on her arm tingle. Suddenly a fast searing pain shot through her fingertips to her elbow, the nerves screaming, then just as suddenly, they went quiet.

She was afraid to look and grateful when Amy squeezed her hands and caught her attention. "The choice is yours, Lily. And his. Your heart is set and Dare is right, it will not be swayed. When you accept the right man, he will be marked as you are marked."

Lily looked down, amazed to see a spike of fire weed already fading until it was only visible when she held her wrist at the right angle.

Amy sat back. "I have a confession I'm only comfortable sharing with you. I've made some decisions about how I see myself as a Matchmaker," Amy was saying. "I think you can help me, Lily."

Now she was intrigued in a whole new way. "You don't intend to let the races dictate your job."

Amy grinned, her electric blue eyes practically glowing with anticipation. "You're on to me."

"You could get into a world of trouble with that attitude. I know the elf houses have always considered the Matchmaker a tool."

"But I am a person, an individual just like you." Amy got to her feet. "Can I count on your support here in Charleston? As a safe house or a way point?"

"Of course."

"How about I leave you alone so you can think? Courage, Lily. I know you have plenty." Amy wrote a note, folded it and handed it over. "Let me know how things are going."

"You're leaving me with a clear way to contact you?"

The Matchmaker's smile was enigmatic. "I believe that's exactly what I'm doing." She called to Guinness and attached his leash. "Thanks for everything." She blew Lily a kiss in lieu of a friendly hug and walked out with the greyhound at her side.

Downstairs Lily heard an exchange of voices, then her back door closed, and all was silent again.

She petted the cat, hoping Dare hadn't left, and wondering what choice, what dream she wanted most.

My dearest Amy,

Do try to forgive me. Someday I hope to tell you the whole story.

Your loving aunt,

Camille

Dare closed the shop door behind him and walked a few paces with Amy and Guinness to the waiting car. "I've got the guard arranged for Maeve. And I'm staying." He glanced back toward Lily's shop. "For as long as it takes."

"I really thought you'd have gotten through by now."

Dare didn't comment. Couldn't. He had no idea why Lily refused him. He was so certain when he had her in his arms, but rather than an afterglow, she just seemed to pale under the harsh light of a reality he couldn't quite see.

"Did she agree to the match?"

"Does she have a choice?" Amy grinned. Guinness hopped into the back seat and quickly circled back for more of Dare's attention.

He rubbed the big brindle's head. "So if I stay underfoot I take away her choices?"

"Quite possibly. Is it worth the risk?"

He glared at the Matchmaker, grateful he wouldn't be saddled with many more of her cryptic comments. "Give your bodyguard my condolences."

Amy laughed, reaching out to pat his cheek. Her hand was cool and gentle. "Thanks for everything, Dare. I'm sure things will turn out just the way it's meant to be."

"We can't dawdle," Mac barked from the driver's seat.

Amy shook her head. "Pray for us," she mouthed.

Dare watched her go, giving a silent salute to the guards he knew watched from the shadows. Lily's elf family was determined to see her safe and happy. Determined to see that the match succeeded.

If they only understood what a hard-case their sister was proving to be.

Maybe Amy was right and he was simply trying too hard, staying too close. Cade assured him – in the way of protective brothers – that Lily would be better off without being matched at all.

But Dare didn't want the match for any purpose other than love. He wanted the bright girl who'd invaded his dreams and he wanted the amazing woman she'd become. He wanted to share in the steady life she'd created. He wanted to put down roots in a place of power without the hassle of politics and too many in-laws.

But what did Lily want? That was the question.

With his hand on the door, he hesitated. Matched or not, she was his, this place was theirs. When the elders of his house had consented to this match, he'd thought she'd be happy. It scared him to think Lily might refuse to accept that she was his.

How was he ever going to win her stubborn heart? How did he prove magical marks didn't matter as much as the truth etched on his soul?