Page 29 of Slaying With Sylphs

“We need to talk all together,” I reiterate. “We need ground rules for our sessions and dating in general. There’s nothing more important than having consent around what’s happening.” Her scent strengthens, imprinting on me, drawing me to her by a tether that’s as real and tangible as a leash.

Reaching out, I grip her throat softly, running the pad of my thumb up the elegant column. “We need those ground rules because, to be honest, it wouldn’t surprise me if Dirk showed up right now, or if he’s been here the whole time, although he promised not to spy on me anymore if I asked him not to, which I did.”

Lou’s eyes flash with indignation. “I told him spying on you was an uber-creepy move, and I’m just as bad. I went along with it when you, umm—” her eyes flash to mine, “—well, you know.”

“Yeah, I know,” I say with a grin, trying to dissipate the tension. Taking a step back, I release my hold on her. Wolves tend to go hard and fast when we believe we’ve identified our mates. It’s been a surprising twenty-four hours. I should probably take things a little more slowly.

I jerk my head toward downtown. “Shall we get to your appointment?”

Lou nods and turns to walk by my side, tucking her hands behind her back. But all that move does is highlight her soft-looking breasts.

“You and Dirk,” she mutters, elbowing me playfully in the side, “you must both be boob guys because it seems like you can’t look anywhere else.”

I laugh, because she’s right. Running both hands through my hair, I admit, “It’s not that I’m a boob man. I’m an all-the-things man, because they’re yours.”

She smirks up at me like the cat that caught the canary. “Are you a sweet talker, Connall? You gonna be my Romeo, writing love letters and whispering sweet nothings in my ear while Dirk cheers you on?”

Goddess, this woman. I’ve seen bits and pieces of Lou’s snarky, bratty side, and I fucking love it. Because what comes next is me teaching that pretty mouth a lesson. I want to put my hands all over her, to get rough, to spank and disrespect in the most respectful way possible.

Wolves in general love bratty, back-talking women.

“I’m generally romantic, yes, but that doesn’t make me any less alpha in other ways.” I give her a look I pray says what I’m thinking.

When she holds back a grin and nips her lower lip, I know she read between the lines. She doesn’t respond though, which, I suspect, is because this sexy playfulness is a new dynamic for us. I’ve been holding it back since I met her. And she’s been going through so much.

She falls quiet, and we walk in peaceful silence to Doc Slade’s. The dark elf waits by the front door, arms crossed as he leans against one of the porch posts. He gives me a quizzical look as I trail Lou up the walkway toward the front porch.

“Connall? Something wrong, son? Do you need an appointment?”

Lou loops an arm through mine. “Nope! He’s accompanying me today.”

Slade looks at me, the tips of his black lips curling into a smile. “Alright then, come on in, both of you.”

We follow him into one of the cottage’s small exam rooms. I hold my breath the entire time he examines Lou’s bites. But he confirms what she told me. They’re healing, and there’s no explanation for it. On the one hand, I’m relieved. But the factthat our brilliant doctor can’t explain why Lou’s fine is deeply concerning.

More than that, it scares the shit out of me.

CHAPTER TWELVE

LOU

My first therapy session with Connall is tomorrow.

With a male who wants to pursue me romantically.

And all of this has been orchestrated by the other male pursuing me romantically.

He was right to suggest we not consider it like typical therapy. But if there’s anyone in this entire haven besides my nieces I can talk to, it’s Connall.

I consider my current situation as I attempt Malik’s sleeping potion for the millionth time. Dropping the last ingredient in, I hold my breath as it sparks and sputters and a pale purple mist hovers above the cast iron pot.

Slow clapping drifts from somewhere in the depths of Alkemi.

“Well done, Lou.” Malik appears in the storeroom doorway with a wink. “I was peeping from here. I thought perhaps hovering over you wasn’t doing you any favors.”

Victory fills me with frenetic energy as I resist the urge to hop up and down. I did it! Finally!

Malik clops out of the storeroom and carefully rounds the long table that separates us. He cocks his head to the side, putting a finger beneath his chin as he examines me.

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