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Austin made a big deal about wanting out of this magic—about wanting privacy—and I gave that to him, only to find out he’s been emotionally watching me. That sucks.” “He didn’t at first,” Niamh said. “He started to pay it heed with the first wave of danger. He wasn’t doing it to spy. None of us are doing it to spy, and if you’re feeling sorry for yerself, we just tune ye out, so we do. We got our own problems; we don’t need yours, like. But ye’re smart, so ye are, and we knew ye might find a way to cut us off if ye knew the truth. And if ye find yerself in a spot of trouble and the danger
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I mussed his hair, which I knew he hated. “You barely met him. How would you know?” “I don’t know. You meet that guy, and you expect to be told what to do, and you just know you’re going to do it. I wouldn’t even be pissed to do it—I’d just get it done and get out of his way, know what I mean?” “She doesn’t, young master. She has no clue what you mean,” Mr. Tom said solemnly. “She barely knows how to get out of her own way.”
“This would never happen in my world. Mages and shifters working side by side. The intricacy of spells and potions mixed with brute strength and iron-clad courage. What an army that would be.”
“We need to start training you in combat ASAP,” Mr. Tom said with a sniff. “No one connected to this house should go around cartoon-style karate-chopping at people. It’s embarrassing for all of us.
“People are wary of the unpredictable,” Sebastian said, hands still in his pockets, turning to look behind us. “You’re good. Keep being weird.” “You say that as though you think she has a choice in the matter,” Mr. Tom said, and I got the feeling he was trying to help in some way.
I stuck my landing, meaning that I hit it wrong, staggered, and then fell flat on my face.
It touched me. It blew something sweet and soft into a hard, desolate place. Your fresh take on the world, your courage, your insight—it revived me. I think I knew then that I’d care for you more than I’ve ever cared for anyone. That I’d want to protect you in a way that felt wholesome and good. That felt—feels—like what I’m designed for. You make my world make sense. I never knew what peace and happiness would feel like, until you.”
“Let me know when you’re done,” Sebastian said, tracing a line in the book with his finger. “What?” I glanced around. “Me? Done with what?” He glanced at me, pale eyes assessing. “You’re back. Great. I never know how long you’ll spend thinking about him. It’s fun to fall in love. I try not to interrupt.”
“The cooking pot is another item I’m side-eyed for using. My kind use cauldrons, like in the stories.” “Oh. Well, yeah, I can see how that would be more fun.” “But not as practical.” “No. You can wash this in the dishwasher. I doubt a cauldron would fit in there. We never make that much potion, anyway.”
“I remember my mom and dad fighting about that when I was a kid. He’d fly off the handle when she so much as smiled at a male, but he used to cheat on her left and right.” He shook his head. “It was a messed-up situation.” “I won’t let you turn into your father. Not only out of duty to you, but mostly because no one has time for that. I will be treated well, or I will leave.” “If I ever act out of turn, do as any alpha female would. Make me submit to you. You have the power to do it.”
“And if you get out of line, I promise to throw chocolate at you and run.” I laughed. “Yes, good thinking.”
Love changes as you get older. It isn’t just about that initial rush of feeling; it’s about the capacity for mutual respect and compromise. It’s about how two people take care of each other, honor each other, and trust each other. I wasn’t mature enough to recognize that. I’ve never experienced all of that with someone. But I feel all of that with you. I only want to take it slow so I can be sure. So I can avoid repeating my mistakes. I already trust you implicitly—I just want to trust myself too.”
