Page 24 of Their Fated Magic

“Sorry, boy, we have to go on foot from here,” Rinan says, patting his horse’s haunch.

It’s strange how I can’t help but smile. Rinan has a tender heart. Apparently, for everyone but me. Maybe that should upset me, but it doesn’t. I’m a witch. His enemy. It doesn’t make him a bad person that he has that love for everyone and everything, except me.

I glance at my own horse, and the gear on the ground. “I guess I’ll be taking all this heavy stuff from here.”

Silently, Garrick comes over and takes my pack from me, tossing it over his shoulder along with his own… which is sweet, and earns him a smile. He returns my smile without hesitation, leaning down and planting a kiss on my cheek. Butterflies flutter in my stomach. Garrick does things just to be kind and helpful. Is that normal? Do people actually do that?

His smile widens when he sees me staring. “What are you thinking about?”

“She’s thinking about your wet bear smell,” Drogo mutters.

Rinan laughs, and Arlys shakes his head. All three don’t seem happy. Still. I would have thought after they stopped having to pretend to like me they’d be in better moods. I guess not.

“Actually,” I give Garrick a smile, “I was thinking about how sweet you are. I’ve never had anyone help me with something just to be kind before.”

My words change something in the air. Something I don’t understand.

Rinan’s stunning blue eyes met mine. “Surely as the princess to the witches your people always went out of their way to help you?”

I laugh and shake my head. “No, that’s not the witch way.” And helping me would bring down my mother’s wrath. Anyone with half a brain wouldn’t risk such a thing.

“Well, you better get used to being taken care of,” Garrick says, those hazel eyes of his filled with kindness. “Because I’m going to spoil you rotten.”

Drogo snorts angrily.

Rinan moves closer to me, but he’s eyeing Garrick. “I bet the way a bear wife is treated is nothing like the way a wolf wife is treated. Our women are showered with gifts, time, affection, and the best sex of their lives.”

Garrick huffs. “There’s a reason why they say that once you go bear, you never go back.”

My cheeks heat. “That can’t be a real saying.”

He winks at me. “You’ll see, soon enough.”

A picture conjures in my mind, and my face feels hotter. There’s no doubt in my mind that Garrick is good at sex. The only question is how he’ll fit. It’s like seeing one of those tiny dogs and those giant dogs. There’s just… only so many ways that can work.

Arlys, who has been following the conversation while rearranging his pack, glances back at us and says, “Not anytime soon though. Not until she’s ready. That’s the deal.”

“A deal that we should reconsider, considering the fact that your relationship is fake,” Garrick says without hesitation.

What? He wants to have sex with me out here? With the wolves watching? Although, I did almost have sex with Drogo. He, at least, had the decency not to try to do it with an audience.

My blush deepens, and I decide to say something before the real fighting can begin. “Garrick, we’re not going to… do that… with them around. Right?”

His shoulders stiffen, and he reaches for my hand, lifting it and kissing my wrist. There’s immediate regret coloring his face, and his words are soft and gentle. “Of course not. I was only teasing the wolves. When we’re finally together, it won’t be with the wolves watching and jerking their dicks to it.”

The image plays in my mind, and I’m horrified. “Garrick!”

His chuckle is low and sexy. “Sorry, my love. It’s hard to resist. But you’re always my first priority.”

“Fucking bears,” murmurs Drogo.

To my surprise, Rinan looks at him and says, “Fucking bears,” right back at him.

Garrick’s only response is to laugh. I’m grateful at least one of them has a sense of humor about such an awkward situation. And that Garrick made it clear he has no plans to make our first time together happen with an audience.

Arlys, Drogo, and Rinan put their packs on. Arlys walks by one of the horses and slaps it on the ass before doing the same to the other horses. The beasts take off into the woods, disappearing from sight.

“Where are they going?” I ask, worried they’ll get lost, or worse, in the forest.

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