Page 110 of Kiss of Magic

She found him sitting just outside the henge. She sank down next to him and they watched as the sky changed from a riot of pink and orange to a pure summery blue.

“You’re still here. I thought you might have left.”

“I see now why you’re a hunter. Your observational skills are impressive.”

He glanced at her.

“Coat looks good on you.”

“It’s a little big. Don’t worry. You’ll get it back when it warms up.”

“How are you feeling?”

“I don’t know. It’s all been so chaotic.”

“Yeah. That ritual looked pretty intense.”

He watched as a delicate blush worked its way up her neck.

“It’s all a little hazy. I was in a lot of pain. I know we said some things but I’m not sure…”

“Relax, Blue.” He turned away and stared into the middle-distance, trying to ignore the sudden tightness in his chest. “I get it. You weren’t yourself. You didn’t know what you were saying.”

She gave a short laugh,

“You’re right. I’m definitely not myself. Not the same as I was, anyway. But I do remember what you said.” She gulped in a deep breath. “Did you mean it?”

“You mean, do I love you?”

She nodded. There was a long pause. Then Blake turned to her and she saw the wariness in his eyes.

“You said love wasn’t enough. That witches and humans weren’t compatible.”

“Forget what I said. Did you mean it? Or…” she faltered. “ Did you say it because you thought I was going to die?”

His eyebrows shot up.

“Is that the kind of person you think I am?”

“It’s the kind of person you’ve told me you are repeatedly. A mercenary. A bounty hunter. Maybe you said it because you knew it wouldn’t matter.”

“Fucking hell, Blue.” He dragged a hand through his cropped hair. “I’ve never lied to you about anything. Anything. Don’t you know that?”

“So if you could choose… knowing you’d get old and die long before me… knowing eventually people would think I was your daughter or grand-daughter… knowing I could use magic to do things you could never do… would you still choose me? Choose us?”

“That’s the problem, Blue.” He grinned wryly. “It’s not a choice. It’s just a fact. My heart’s already decided and there’s not a damn thing I or anybody else can do about it.”

Dani exhaled. Suddenly she understood those stupid films where wet-blanket heroines burst into song for no discernible reason, surrounded by bluebirds and butterflies. She knew how they felt now. She wanted to hug herself and squeal with happiness.

“Blue?”

She turned to him, her turquoise eyes brighter than he’d ever seen.

“Okay then.”

“Okay what?”

“I choose us too.”

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