Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

Breaking the Spell

She sees him, alone with his elbows leaned up against the balcony railing. And though she hadn't intended to seek him out, it strikes her as a good thing; an unexpected opportunity.

Because we're long overdue for a private chat.

Above all else, I owe him a private apology for the years of torment.

And perhaps it's time to finally release him from the bond I so cruelly placed him under.

Her stiletto heels clicking rhythmically against the cool marble tiles beneath her, she sees the way his body goes completely rigid as he registers her presence. And whereas up until just a few weeks ago seeing him would have caused her heart to flutter with unbearable longing and desire, that's all suddenly and quite unexpectedly been replaced.

Sure, he's still completely breathtaking.

He'll always be breathtaking in my eyes.

But I think, in some ways, recent events have broken the spell.

Not a real spell of course. She's speaking purely metaphorically. She's growing lately, growing by impressive leaps and bounds. And for a woman who's long been stilted, it's a tremendous and completely unexpected development.

I think it's largely because of Rowan.

Not that I really know him -

That's early days yet, and Merlin knows it's probably an impossible relationship.

Yet still I'll continue to hope.

No, it's not so much Rowan himself;

It's what Rowan symbolises;

And what does Rowan Harris symbolise, exactly?

That there's a world beyond Evan Rosier.

That there's other people out there for me, something I never before thought a viable possibility.

It's actually quite beautiful, though no one other than she herself sees it. It's beautiful, the way she's learning to finally think beyond herself; the way she's changing.

As she nears the balcony, her heels still clicking beneath her as she goes, Evan turns and straightens. And sure enough, in his face she sees the visible expression of dread.

I don't blame you, E.

If I were in your shoes, I'm sure I'd do the very same.

Sighing softly, she nods at him by way of greeting as she comes to a stop at his side, bringing one hand to rest against the railing beside his as their eyes meet.

"Alecto."

"Evan."

"Let's hear it, then. Out with it."

"... Where's Reggie?"

An uncomfortable pause as Evan's eyebrows raise at the question. Straightening up and pushing his hands off the balcony as he goes, he crosses his arms defensively and stares back at her darkly.

Sighing, Alecto tries again, "... Are we reasonably private at the moment?"

"We are."

"No eyes to see us? No ears to hear us?"

"... If anyone's around, they're doing an excellent job of keeping themselves hidden."

"Right then."

Go on, then.