Page 45 of Shattered Magic

She waved her hand. “I enjoy being hospitality. Folks like cuddling up to me, and since they feel good, the groping is few and far between. Thank you for coming, and enjoy the rest of the night.” She bowed to them all and returned to the restaurant.

Hari smiled. “I think we have been dismissed. Vega, call me if you need anything at all.”

“The same to you, Hari. Just call me if you need anything.”

“I will.”

Arkus looked to Zerul and said, “It’s like we aren’t sitting here.”

Zerul shrugged and grabbed the bill. “They have fended for themselves until now, so they know what they need. We are new in the equation.”

Hari smiled. “You are not wrong.”

The bill was paid, and Zerul held her chair as she stood. Arkus did the same for Vega, and they slowly made their way to the front of the building. Hari was surprised when Vega hugged her, but as they parted ways, she smiled. Arkus put his hand at the base of Vega’s spine as they walked away.

Zerul looked at her with amusement. “Matchmaking?”

“No, it is just nice to see what growing affection looks like.”

“I hope you will soon find it in a mirror.”

She smiled, he tucked her into his car, and they headed home. She nodded off twice, full, warm, and happy.

Zerul carried her through his residence when she began to focus again. “I can walk.”

“I didn’t want to wait.”

She sighed and waved at the few staff she saw in the hallway.

Zerul headed to his bedroom and set her on the bed, lowering the zipper as he faced her. “Are you awake enough to get ready for bed?”

She yawned and nodded. “Sure.”

He laughed. “I will help.”

She struggled out of her dress and got up to watch it slip to the floor.

She walked to the bathroom, scrubbed the makeup off her face, brushed her hair, and used the facilities. When she was done, she headed back to the bedroom, where a nightgown was waiting for her.

Hari removed her underwear, put on the gown, and crawled into the welcoming bed. Zerul took his turn in the bathroom and emerged wearing silky boxers.

He flipped his bedding back and wiggled toward her. After a few nights, she was used to it. She moved to him, and he wrapped her in his arms.

“So, that was a nice dinner,” he murmured.

She chuckled and looked up at him. “It was. Vega looks good, considering what has happened.”

“She does. Arkus was panicked by events but now seems to be settling in.”

“I thought he was free now. He can run around where he likes or go to the forest where a line of women is probably willing to welcome him into the modern era.”

“He can. He just chooses Vega.”

“Just. That is putting it mildly.” She huffed and lowered her head to press her forehead against his chest.

He stroked her back, and she felt him tracing what she now knew were wing marks. “You are relaxed.”

“Yeah. I started feeling relaxed when Asta arrived. She’s lovely.”

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