Page 28 of The Succubus's Song

“That’s not it!” Finley cried. His head twisted towards Mara. His eyes were red, and there was so much pain in them. Mara knew whatever he was processing was bigger than this.

“Well then tell me what it is.” Mara couldn’t help herself as she started to rub slow circles on his leg.

I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Finley cry. Mara rapidly shifted through her memories of Finley but came up short. He was always smiling, always excited to see everyone. That fact alone hit Mara like a physical blow—everyone needed someone to check in on them, especially the ‘strong ones’ and the ‘happy ones.’

“I-I just…” Finley swallowed thickly and turned away from Mara. “I just don’t know why it’s never enough. I’m never enough. I wasn’t enough for my ex-fiancée. I wasn’t enough for you, and now this fucking magic,” Finley cursed and waved his hand in the air, “comes back to Scotland and starts messing with my sleep. Now I’m shit at football too.” He started to get more and more distressed as he talked, finally standing up until he was pacing around the kitchen.

“Finley, stop,” Mara jumped up and threw her arms around his shoulders, hugging Finley as close to her as she could. He froze underneath her touch, but after a few seconds, he softened into the embrace. Mara squeezed him tighter, and they stood like that until the doorbell interrupted them. Finley pulled away with a start, blinking rapidly and wiping some of the tears from his eyes.

“The takeout,” he murmured, pointing towards the door. Mara nodded, and Finley disappeared down the hallway.

She situated herself at the kitchen counter, grinning appreciatively when Finley walked in, holding two brown paper bags with grease stains at the bottom. The scent of fries and grease filled the room, and Mara’s smile widened.

“I come bearing gifts,” Finley chuckled quietly, holding up the bags like he was making an offering to a sky god.

“Mmm,” Mara licked her lips, “I could kiss you.”

“You already did,” he deadpanned. “Dig in.”

Finley sat down on the other side of the counter, and they practically tore apart their bags and started eating. It was comfortable—for a few minutes, the mood lightened considerably.

The magic of fries, Mara mused to herself, popping a few more in her mouth. She knew Finley was likely being defensive and trying to get out of talking about it, but Mara wouldn’t let it happen. After their meals had been properly demolished, Mara raised a brow and looked at Finley.

“Finley,” she started, and Finley tensed, “you need to get one thing straight. You know I didn’t reject you because you weren’t ‘enough’ for me.” Mara’s voice got even quieter. “You’re too much for me. You’re too good.”

Finley’s face twisted in shock. He looked genuinely surprised, like that was the last thing he expected to come out of Mara’s mouth. He started to speak and then stopped a few times, trying to find the right words to say. Finally, he burst out laughing. Mara nearly recoiled in shock at the sudden loud noise.

“What’s so funny?”

Finley shook his head and stole a fry from Mara. “We’re quite a pair, aren’t we?”

Mara scoffed before giving him a little shrug. “I suppose we are.”

“I don’t think I’m enough for you. You don’t think you’re good for me…”

“An insomniac footballer and a baobhan sith in denial,” Mara finished for him, and their laughter got louder.

“Fuck me,” Finley scoffed playfully. “My therapist would have a field day with this.”

“Your therapist?” Mara couldn’t help but be a little surprised. Finley only nodded solemnly before fetching them beers out of his fridge.

“Of course. C’mon, Mara.” He slid a beer across the counter to her and beat his chest like a gorilla. “I’m a man’s man. Real men go to therapy.”

“I won’t fight you on that. To being a little fucked up.” Mara held her beer out to Finley, and he smiled wider, clinking the bottlenecks together.

“Cheers.” He winked, taking a sip before his mood sobered slightly. “Seriously, though…about us.”

“About us,” Mara repeated, suddenly unable to look at Finley or find the right words.

Luckily, Finley jumped in. “The way I see it, we’re the answer to each other’s problems.” Finley was once again flashing her a winning smile. “From what I can tell, you’re a little more prone to your, ahem, instincts, with your sister in town.”

Mara flinched a little but nodded, encouraging Finley to go on.

You’ve bit him twice now. There’s no point in denying it.

“And, well, I’m always up at this time of night now.” Finley indicated to the clock on the stove. “If you’re going to keep to a nocturnal schedule until this issue with your family is resolved, then wouldn’t you rather have uh…” Finley faltered for a moment. “How do I phrase this…a safe source?”

“A safe source?” Mara couldn’t help but giggle, watching the way that Finley’s features turned pink.

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