Page 28 of Hostile Holiday

“I think you need something with a vegetable. I have noticed that you avoid them.”

Yesoff chuckled. “I am making a late dinner.”

“Where are Maven and her warlocks?”

Hunter smiled. “They are gone, but we will see them at Yule. There is a ball, and you should be finished with your tasks by then.”

“You are confident I will survive?”

“Absolutely. The stars don’t lose. Ever.” He walked her into the kitchen where Yesoff was preparing a stir fry with slices of beef and match-sticked vegetables.

In half an hour, dinner was served over rice, and they all sat together and ate. Orla grabbed the hot sauce and sprinkled itliberally on her food while Yesoff raised his brows. “That’s a lot of heat.”

“I like it.” She loaded a fork and enjoyed the salty burn of the hot sauce on top of the vegetables. “If I am going to eat greens, I am not going to taste them.”

Hunter snorted, and Yesoff grinned.

When her belly was full, and she finished her glass of water, she took her dish to the sink.

Yesoff called out, “That’s my job. Your job is to get control of your unlocked magic. I get to do the dishes.”

“Oh. Okay. I will be in the library.”

Hunter sighed. “Go to bed. It is after midnight, and your day has been long.”

“Fine, but I am taking books with me.” She called out as she went to grab some books on winter creatures and one small volume on the basics of sex. She understood the basics, but a refresher wasn’t a bad idea.

Now that she felt like an actual person, she was catching on to the small hints Hunter was giving her. She liked all three of his forms, but the quadruped was her favourite. It was the fluffiest by far, and it made her feel calm. The human form made her feel less than calm, which was why she was reading the book.

She found a sleep shirt, got into bed, and opened the book, turning it sideways. “Oh. Pictures.”

Chapter Six

“Orla, wake up.” Yesoff’s voice was near her.

“Oh. Okay. Why?”

“Because you have places to go and people to meet.” He smiled. “And you need breakfast.”

She sat up and pushed her hair out of her face. “Right. Who?”

“Ask Lord Winter.”

“Sure.”

She stretched and looked at Yesoff. “Wait. Why are you seven feet tall and hairy?”

“I am a yeti, Orla.”

“Oh. Of course.” She flipped her bedding back and walked past the talking column of fur that was Yesoff. “Why are you hairy this morning?”

“I had to deal with a few things for Lord Winter. This form gets things across that my other one does not.”

“Right.” She headed into the bathroom and attended to nature.

When she emerged, she blinked as Yesoff, still tall and hairy, finished tidying the dress and robe from the night before. Orla looked past him, and he had laid out a very fancy-looking outfit for her. Wide-legged trousers, a cream silky blouse, chemise, lacy bra and panties, and some puppy socks with zipped calf-high boots.

“Um, did someone throw water on a stylish witch?”

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