Page 97 of Stone Temptation

His eyes widened, those plump lips stretched in a grin. “By the gods.”

“What is it?” I followed his gaze to a shop specializing in amethyst. “Oh.”

“Can we?”

“I thought we were scoping out the town, not shopping.”

“This is part of it. Five minutes.”

“Okay.”

He took my hand, leading me across the street.

He bought two huge chunks of amethyst, some bracelets, a necklace, a purple wax burner, and some lavender wax melts, whistling while he shopped.

“I thought rose quartz was your favorite?”

“It is.”

“So…”

“I’m strengthening my defenses against negativity.”

“Oh.” I really didn’t understand, but whatever made him happy.

The owner, in her purple rose-patterned jumper, loved every moment. I waited at the counter as Asher paid, a continuous glow in my belly.

“You’ve really made my day,” she said to him, bagging his purchases.

“Likewise. Can I come back for those?”

“Absolutely.”

I followed him back outside across to the bakery with the purple jam donuts.

“Later,” he said. “But the jam is purple, right?”

“Yes.”

“Cool. Ready to take to the skies again? Unless you wanna walk around?”

“Whatever works best for you.”

“Get a better scope up there.” He pointed a thumb at the sky. “My eyes pick up a lot of details.”

“Super vision.”

“Yeah.”

“Then let’s fly.”

Back in his arms, I quivered against his chest, my inner voice whispering in an endless loop.

Safe.

Safe.

Safe.