Page 47 of My Fated Minotaur Hero

"Well, well," she cackles. "What have we here?Anotherhuman in our midst?"

I get up to greet Elowen and move to stand protectively alongside Olivia. "Elowen, this is-"

"Your mate," she finishes, her eyes twinkling. "I can see it plain as day. That mate-summoning spell of mine worked after all, it seems. Did she show up at the watchtower?”

“In my storeroom actually.”

“I see. Curious.”

I don’t see at all. But whatever.

Olivia stands, offering her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Elowen. I'm Olivia."

The witch takes Olivia's hand, but instead of shaking it, she turns it palm up, studying the lines intently. "Fascinating," she murmurs. "You've come far, child. In more ways than one."

“Yes, but I don’t know anything about any spells ...”

Before Olivia can respond further, the door bursts open again. This time, it's Thokk and Zoe, finally back from their little getaway.

About time!

But right away I can tell something is up. No sooner have the boys and Thokk begun exchange greetings than everyone freezes as Zoe lets out a shriek that could wake the dead.

"Olivia?!”

Suddenly everyone else is exchanging glances trying to figure out what the hell is going on.

But then my eyes lock on my Olivia as she reaches a steadying hand onto my arm. For a moment I can’t tell if she is going to pass out, or maybe laugh...or cry?

“What the hell are you doing here?!" Zoe has her own arm reaching out to Thokk for support as well.

Olivia lets out a little laugh in response, the sound equal parts joy and disbelief. "Zoe! What the hell amIdoing here? What in the nine hells areyoudoing here?!"

The monsters around us burst into laughter at Olivia's use of the Fablewood curse. I can't help but join in, as the lady’s elation at seeing one another is now evident.

The two women rush to embrace, talking over each other in their excitement.

"I can't believe it's really you-"

“I just don’t get it ...”

“I mean ...”

"But seriously, what the hell are you...”

"Is this where you've been this whole time-"

"Wait," Olivia says suddenly, pulling back to look at Zoe. "Kalen mentioned something about a human on a leash. Please tell me that wasn't you."

Zoe flushes bright red, and Thokk lets out a booming laugh. "It was a necessary precaution at the time," he rumbles.

Olivia raises an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Well, don't knock it 'til you try it, I guess ..."

The tavern erupts in raucous laughter and good-natured jeering. I pull Olivia close, pressing a kiss to her temple. "That's my little human," I murmur, and she beams up at me. “Maybe we should have tried out that exotic dancer ruse after all.”

“Don’t push your luck.” At first she looks serious before breaking into a smile. “But perhaps we can discuss it.” She kisses me on the cheek this time.

While we get a few curious looks, our assembled friends erupt in laughter, and I can't help but join in, feeling a surge of pride as I watch Olivia effortlessly fit right in.

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