Page 20 of Unhaunt Me

“When did I run away?” I asked him.

“At the Star Room. You ran away and then I couldn’t tell Roary where you were.”

“They’re the one who works with you right?” I asked.

“Good Casimir,” he cooed. “You remembered who they were. You are so cute. I could just eat you up.”

“Please don’t bite my tongue again,” I said and smoothed his hair from his face.

“I didn’t mean to. My teeth were just bigger than I remembered, or your tongue got fat from the whiskey.”

“Maybe, mate,” I chuckled as he snuggled into me.

A few minutes later he was out cold and I wasn’t far behind him.

Chapter Ten

Tritus

I dreamt that Casimir and I lay sunning in the back yard. We found the perfect sunbeam surrounded by fragrant purple flowers and took the perfect nap-not-nap in that sunbeam. Then the sun disappeared, blocked out by something big and bulky. Then something slapped into my very real body. Something soft and thick and---

“Huh?” I grunted, squinting.

Whoever covered us up wasn’t Casimir. He was still out cold, stretched out on his back with his legs spread wide now under the blanket.

“Morning,” Roary’s voice found my ears as I twisted around to sit up. “Was trying not to wake you two up. Came by to drop off your grocery delivery so you didn’t have to go out today and found you passed out.” They lowered their voice and said, “you smell like a liquor distillery.”

“I feel like one too,” I squinted. “Shit. Man. Fuck. What time is it?”

“A little after seven. Kids got us up early. They’re already ready for their celebration,” they yawned. “Thought I’d cover you two up, so you didn’t have a sunburnt ass. Might be cold out here but sun burn still sneaks up on you.”

“Thanks, Roary,” I yawned, squinting at the world.

“He is hot,” they nodded at Casimir. “Broody too still?”

“Eh,” I shrugged. “Complicated.”

“All the hot ones are. I don’t know how Breezie puts up with me.”

“Me neither,” I groaned, and they flashed me a mock offended expression. “I’ll eat your groceries.”

“Go ahead. They’ll just send out more. Eat the basket too while you’re at it,” I shrugged.

“Do you want me to call one of the healers to bring you by something?” they asked, their expression turning serious.

“No,” I shook my head. “I think I need coffee.”

“Want me to put it on?”

“Thanks but I’ll manage. Don’t want to keep you away from the kids too long.”

“They’ll survive. They’re excited to meet their new uncle.”

“Shit. I haven’t even told my parents yet. I suspect they already know but you know,” I shrugged.

“You’re momma was overbearing and overprotective when we were kids but like I said, I’d trade you any day.”

“No thanks. I’ll share but I’m not fucking trading,” I managed to huff out a sleepy laugh that escaped on the back of a smoke ring that Roary swiped away.

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