“Well,” he says the word slowly, positively beaming at me. “I might have your name, but I have better manners than to use it without your permission.”

I glance at Piper, and she cringes slightly, nodding. Right. No help there.

“I’m Wren,” I say delicately. “Do you plan on doing something with my name, Caelan of the Underhill?” There’s as much brave challenge in that question as I can muster.

I am a fantastic jeweler, a fact I take heart in despite the Guild’s rejection, and a great enchantress of jewels and metals.

But there’s not much in my witchy arsenal that would be effective against this man— a fact I’m all too aware of at the moment.

“Wren,” he says slowly, dragging the syllable out in a way that makes my heart flutter strangely. “I think you’ll find that all I want to do with your name is speak it with pleasure.”

I choke on my bite of bread, the rest of the table very studiously ignoring whatever in the world Caelan’s just said to me.

It certainly shouldn’t set me on fire from head to toe.

It certainly shouldn’t set me to the point of distraction.

“I don’t need help right now,” I manage to croak.

“No, I suppose your type of work is solitary,” Caelan continues, his icy lavender gaze pinning me in place. I can hardly breathe from the weight of it. “But if you need help, you know where to find me.”

“Actually, no, I don’t know where to find you.” I snort, laughing a bit out of nerves and at the absurdity of this entire situation. Underhill Fae. In my friend’s bakery. In our small town, which is supposed to be my safe bubble from the troubles of the outside world, and decidedly safe from the Unseelie.

Fenn, picking up on my distress, lets out his absolute worst ear-shattering howl.

There’s nothing quite like a fox yowl to break the mood. I let myself smile, and I mean it, because I have no doubt my vocal familiar will stop whatever this Fae’s fixation on me is.

Caelan, however, simply leans closer, his nostrils flaring.

“You smell of the earth. Dark places. Precious metals. Magic.” He tilts his head, that glossy, soft-looking black hair slipping from the knot at his neck. “I would like to help you, if you let me.” His eyes meet mine, arresting and otherworldly beautiful.

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ALSO BY JANUARY BELL

FANTASY TITLES:

FAE PROMISES

Bargain With The Rogue

Orc Bait

Princes & Promises

A CONQUEROR’S KINGDOM

Of Sword & Silver

Of Gods & Gold

FATED BY STARLIGHT

Following Fate: Prequel Novella

Claimed By The Lion: Book One

Stolen By The Scorpio: Book Two

Taurus Untamed: Book Three

SCIENCE FICTION TITLES:

STARLIGHT BRIDES

Alien Werewolf’s Prize

Alien Kraken’s Prize

ACCIDENTAL ALIEN BRIDES

Wed To The Alien Warlord

Wed To The Alien Prince

Wed To The Alien Brute

Wed To The Alien Gladiator

Wed To The Alien Beast

Wed To The Alien Assassin

Wed To The Alien Rogue

BOUND BY FIRE

Alien On Fire

Alien in Flames

ALIEN DATING GAMES

Alien Tides

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

January Bell writes steamy fantasy and sci-fi romance with a guaranteed happily ever after. Combining pure escapism, a little adventure, and a whole lotta love makes for romance that's a world apart. January spends her days writing, herding kids and ducks, and spends the nights staring at the stars.

For the latest updates, sign up for my newsletter by visiting www.januarybellromance.com, or follow me on Instagram and TikTok.

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