Page 68 of Asher

The sound of their conversation fades from my notice as I move among the crates, looking at all the different parts. Micah’s right: this is incredible. I can’t even begin to imagine how these pieces could be added to the existing base to unlock it. Honestly, I can barely differentiate between some of the parts. Micah says there are six types of bolts, but I only see three. The other three are so similar, I don’t see a difference.

“…I’mmarried,Alistair!”

It’s the hushed hiss of Garrett’s voice that cuts into my introspection, but the words definitely get my attention. I lift my head, realizing I’m only about six feet away from them now.

“Yeah, I know,” Alistair says, his voice lower than usual but not enough for me not to hear him. “But we all know that’s just a temporary thing. And this guy is perfect for you, Garrett, but he’s also great in general. I’m not sure he’ll still be single when you get around to ending your marriage.”

For a second, I just stare in shock, but then rage roars through me. Alistair can’t seriously be trying to setmyGarrett, myhusband, up with someone else, can he?

And Garrett’s not thinking about it, is he?

I’m on the verge of leaping forward and strangling Alistair from behind—even if he is likely to win in the end, I should get a few good hits in—when the only remaining sensible part of me paralyzes every muscle, freezing me in place.

Alistair’s right.Our marriage is temporary… officially. I might be trying to turn it into something more, but Garrett doesn’t know that. Attacking his cousin probably isn’t the best way to convince him I’m the person he wants to be bound to for the rest of his life.

“I’m not saying you’ve gotta have an affair,” Alistair continues, and part of my ire fades. Not much, but a tiny part. “Just let me introduce you online. You guys can chat as friends, and at least that way, when you and Asher split, Tony will know you and probably be ready to step in.”

The ire comes back. I stand there, mostly frozen in place by my own overwhelming feelings, wondering if it would count as murder for me to tell Grandmother about this and then let her handle it. I mean… technically I’d be able to tell Garrett I had nothing to do with it, right? And nobody would ever find the body, anyway. We could just tell people he ran away with the circus, and everyone who knows him will probably believe it.

“Alistair, that’s… I was going to say sweet, but it’s actually really weird.” Garrett pats his cousin on the arm. “Did you get hit in the head recently?”

“Why do people keep asking me that?”

Probably because they all want to hit him in the head. I know I do.

“Well, anyway, as weirdly kind-of sweet as it is that you’re thinking of me, I’ve been thinking that I might see if Asher’s interested in staying married for longer than we discussed.”

The words are a wonderful, glorious, amazing slap in the face. As the shock of victory reverberates through my body, I wonder if now is the time to let them know I’m listening.

“Really?” Alistair’s doubtful tone stops me. I’m definitely going to mention him to Grandmother. I’ll also tell her that he annoys Gideon, her favorite. She’s guaranteed to do something about him then. “You want to stay married to the demon banker who lives in the middle of nowhere? I didn’t really mean it all those times I called you boring, but now I’m starting to wonder.”

Garrett shrugs. “There are downsides—a lot of them—to living here, but I still like it. Mostly. Plus, Asher spends a lot of time in Zurich, which is lovely. And… I don’t think I’m going to be ready to let him go in just a few months.” He pauses. “It might be possible that I’m falling in love with him.”

Yessssssss!I open my mouth to shout it, but only the tiniest squeak comes out. I may need to seek medical help after this—I thought my response to shock would be a lot better than it is.

“It might be possible? Trust me, if you loved him, you’d know.” Alistair’s supercilious tone turns dreamy as he says, “IknewI was in love with Aidan.”

“Did you? Truly? Because that’s not the story I heard.”

“Pfft. What are stories, but retellings of events?”

Garrett nods. “Yes. That’s exactly what they are.”

“See! I’m retelling it differently from everyone else.”

There’s a momentary pause, and I can tell Garrett’s wondering if it’s worth calling his cousin an idiot. He must decide against it, because instead he says, “Well, whatever your story is, I know I love Asher. He’s sweet and considerate and sexy, and he’s always thinking of me. Being around him makes me happy, and when we’re both at work, I miss him. It still seems like it’s too soon to say I’minlove, but I do love him, and I think we’ll get there.”

“You’re an idiot,” Alistair declares, and I finally unfreeze all the way.

“Hey! Watch yourself when you talk to him,” I snap, stomping over to them. They both whirl around, eyes wide.

“A-Asher,” Garrett stammers. “I didn’t see you there.”

I wrap him in my arms and lay a big, wet kiss on his beautiful mouth. “I love you. And I’minlove with you. I want to stay married to you forever. If it’s too soon for you to be sure, that’s okay. I can be patient… as long as we’re married while you work it all out.”

He stares at me in shock as I pause to take a breath. “Oh, and we can live wherever you want. If you need to go back to Cambridge, I can commute from there, no problem. And if you need to study demons in the village, I’ll make them all cooperate.”

“You and what army?” I hear Micah say, but I ignore him. The most important person in this cave right now is in my arms.

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