Free Witch Land (The Cindy Chronicles #2) by Rashelle Workman Page B

me.
    “ What?”
    She shook her bouncy curls. “What is it about you and handsome men? First that beautiful chayot—Gabe, right? And now Leo.”
    “ I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I went to the bathroom—thankfully the facilities weren’t old fashioned—and ran a brush through my hair.
    “ I asked you to come and you refused. A handsome prince with perfect hair and gorgeous eyes asks and hocus pocus, you’re here .” She clucked her tongue. “I thought you were stronger than that.” Her features were filled with disappointment.
    “ It wasn’t Leo, it was Polly,” I said, pulling the hourglass charm necklace Leo had given me over my neck and tucking the hourglass under the dress bodice between my boobs.
    She sniffed loudly. “Yeah, right.”
    “ Compli Makus,” I said, and my bed made itself, pushing Quilla out of her sitting position and into the air. I smirked at the shocked look she gave me.
    “ I’m serious.” I didn’t need to explain my reasons to her. Still I couldn’t help but think about what she said and wondered if she was right. “Did you want something?” I finally asked.
    “ Nope. Just wanted to see for myself that you were here.” She walked to the door. “I’ll see you tonight.” With a poof she was gone.
    “ Alone again,” I whispered, wondering if I should go find Leo. My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. If it were Quilla again, I’d give her a piece of my mind.
    It wasn ’t. It was Leo. He looked like a fairy tale prince. He wore a burgundy and black jacket, gray pants that hugged his muscled thighs, and matching black belt and boots.
    “ Hi,” I finally said after perusing his body more than once.
    Leo did the same to me, and I blushed.
    “Did you tell the dressmakers I like the color blue?” I asked, trying to cover up my embarrassment by fluffing a pillow.
    He shook his head. “No. Is it your favorite color?”
    “ Yes, it is.”
    Leo smiled and his eyes sparkled with mischief. “What else do you like?” He held the door open for me. We left my room and I closed the door with the magic words Isla Secura.
    As we walked down the hall I answered him. “All sorts of stuff.” I shrugged. “I hope you’re here to take me to the kitchen, because I’m starved.”
    He winked , reached out, and grabbed my hand. Everywhere our fingers touched was like ice and fire, burning cold. I gasped but didn’t pull away. The tingling filled my veins. I wanted to ask Leo if he felt it, but I was afraid if the feeling were one-sided he would think I was putting the moves on him. My heart still belonged to Gabe. My emotions for him weren’t so easily erased, even if that wasn’t true of Gabe himself. The chayot leader was an idiot, but I loved him.
    “ Breakfast is our first stop. I’ve got a special place in mind after,” Leo said startling me back to the present.
    I gently pulled my hand away and quirked an eyebrow. “Are you putting the moves on me, Leo Loyalor?”
    He chuckled. “What if I am?”
    I felt my mouth fall open. Then shook my head. “I-I’m sort of…” What did I tell him? Gabe broke our relationship, shattered it to pieces. “I’m not ready.”
    Leo smiled. “Let’s eat.”
    Leo had given me a quick tour of the castle the day I arrived, but his home was expansive. Halls intersected each other like a spider’s web. I knew there had to be a spell to help me find my way, but it was too much fun having Leo show me around. And I had let him. Often. I was happier when he was around.
    That ’s because you like him.
    I glanced sideways at Leo. It was true. I did like him, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about it.
    Leo caught me staring. “What?”
    “ Uh, nothing. It’s just I’m glad you’re here to help me find my way around. This castle is gigantic. It’s like an enormous labyrinth.”
    Leo stuck out his elbow. I took it. “You’re welcome,” he said.
    We walked in silence down the hall. After several turns I knew