Page 178 of Barbi and the Villain

“What am I doing?” I shrug innocently. “I’m merely making myself more comfortable.”

“On me?” He raises a brow.

“Well… If you insist, I can find someone else to lean on,” I mutter in feigned displeasure.

I move an inch to the side before I find myself on my back, with him looming on top of me.

The warmth in his gaze feeds the butterflies with their much-needed sunlight, and they violently flap their wings in my belly.

I lick my lips.

His gaze dips to my mouth.

But just as he leans in to give me a kiss, PomPom jumps between us, followed by BonBon and Ander.

They sniff and lick us, and without breaking eye contact, both Nykander and I start laughing.

“The kids come first,” he whispers playfully.

My lashes flutter in surprise.

He thinks the dogs are our kids?

Swoon!

27

“Again,” he demands in a strict voice.

I close my eyes and focus on my energy, doing my best to disguise it. Slowly, the shimmer around me fades.

I gaze up at Nykander, raising my brows in question.

He smiles and nods.

“Good. Let’s see how long you can hold it.”

“Does that mean we can go now?”

He grunts.

“But”—he raises a finger—“if you cannot hold it until we get to the portal, we will have to stop and do this all over again.”

“Nyk.” I pout.

“It is not up for debate, Barbs. You need to be able to shield yourself continuously once we reach Tartareia. Otherwise, there is no point in hiding. Everyone will be able to find us within moments.”

“Fine.” I sigh. “We will do it your way.”

“Of course. We always do it my way, sweets.” He winks at me.

I shake my head at him and return to get the dogs ready.

Leaving some food and water inside their little house, I pack all of our things and wait for Nykander to work his magic.

He grabs the dog house and our baggage with his tentacles, and we are ready to go.

“It’s so pretty out today,” I quip as we wade through the thick forest.

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