Free Fierce Enchantment by Carrie Ann Ryan

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.

 

Chapter Six
     
     
    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.