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the earth, affects both of us.”
    “Right now I feel clogged with cattails. No, something much nastier.” Something that itched to grab hold of her soul, much as the cattails had pushed aside all the shallow water. Only this something would do far worse than cause birds to go hungry.
    If the darkness remained, she’d hold enough power to fry the entire Everglades to a crisp, killing all plants and wildlife for miles. In fact, that would be a piece of cake, compared to the breadth of Terithen’s true power. With a single spell, the Fae King’s son could have destroyed all life from here to Kansas. Sienna shuddered.
    Deep inside, the darkness smiled at the thought. Destruction is good.
    Screw you. You’re not controlling me , she silently vowed.
    Gabriel gave her a critical look when she leaned on him. “You’re still wobbly on your feet. Maybe you’d better bunk with me tonight. I’ll keep you from falling out of bed.”
    “How generous of you. Thanks, but I’ll take the floor. Safer there.”
    Gabriel grinned, cupping her elbow as they headed for the pathway connecting his house to the nursery. She’d never share his bed again. She’d suffered the consequences last time she made the mistake of sleeping with him.
    This time, Sienna resolved to never again break her vow of celibacy. She would not be lovers with Gabriel.
    No matter what.
     

 

Chapter 3
     
    Gabriel’s house had changed as much as the store had.
    A large, two-story structure, it boasted hardwood floors, cool mint-green paint, and colorful furniture suited to a Florida lifestyle. No dark colors anywhere. Even the kitchen with its stainless steel appliances had white cabinets and light granite countertops.
    “No beanbags, or bookcases made from milk crates. Though the impoverished college student look suited you, this is much nicer. More comfortable.” She dropped onto a pastel-colored sofa in the living room.
    Gabriel joined her. “I grew up.”
    “Grew up, got a job, became responsible. All you need now is a suit and tie. And shoes.” She glanced at his bare feet.
    He wriggled his toes. “Another thing we have in common, pixie. We like the earth beneath our toes, feeling the grass as we race through the open fields.”
    “As long as that earth doesn’t have broken glass or used needles and there’s no cow manure in the open fields.”
    A small smile touched his mouth. “I missed your feisty mouth. Twenty-five years is a long time, Sienna. You never called, you never wrote…” He put a hand over his heart. “I was deeply hurt, waiting by the phone, watching it grow cobwebs.”
    Guilt winked inside her.
    “I’m sure you were counting the seconds until I returned to you,” she said dryly. “Pining for me until you threatened to waste away, lonely and broken as a country western song. For the, oh, five minutes you missed me after I left.”
    “The memories of you weren’t sufficient. I kept your picture under my pillow and kissed it every night.”
    And then he sobered. “I did miss you, Sienna. You were good for me.”
    She had no reply. Instead, she studied the plants upon the white oak bookshelves, the ivy in clay pots. Gabriel could coax life out of arid soil. It’s what had drawn them together.
    After leaving him, she’d been torn in half, tempted to turn the car around and go back to him. But the stoic side of her knew she could never have a life among shifters.
    Especially not with a panther like Gabriel, who was the ultimate tomcat.
    Gabriel gave her a knowing look. “It was more than sex, Sienna, and you know it. It was a sharing neither of us has felt before.”
    Sienna squirmed beneath his intent gaze. “It was my first time. Of course I never felt anything like that before. Like breaking with my tradition of being vegetarian. I’d say the same about eating a hot dog.”
    He blinked hard, and a flash of hurt entered his gaze. Then he gave her a teasing look. “A hot dog, huh? A foot long? Or