Page 68 of The Warlock's Kiss

I love him.

Ilovehim.

The realization wasn’t surprising. It didn’t matter that they’d only known each other for so short a time, she felt it without question—in her heart, in her soul, in the song that played in her mind and thrummed within her. As soon as she had opened herself up to her emotions, it hadn’t been hard to fall in love with Merrick. How could it have been when everything about him felt soright? Being in his arms was like being home; safe, protected, sheltered.

If only I had more time with him.

As though he sensed the discord in her, his hold on her tightened further, and he tipped his head forward to rest his cheek atop her hair. “Whatever it takes, Adalynn. I will find a way.”

Chapter Thirteen

The next several days passed with a lightness and joy that outshone the darkness of the werewolf attack. Adalynn, Merrick, and Danny settled into something of a routine during that time; they’d have breakfast together—which always included snappy banter between Danny and Merrick that made Adalynn laugh—and, once everything was cleaned up, Merrick would take Danny outside to tend the garden. While they saw to the crops, Adalynn would work in the kitchen, preparing food for canning. She found the process relaxing, and often lost herself in the task. Merrick and Danny would come back in for lunch in the early afternoon, and Merrick would help her finish canning.

That would signal the end of their workday. After that, Adalynn and Danny were free to do as they pleased. Merrick took them out back a couple times and taught them some basics with the shotgun. Danny’s enthusiasm for the lessons was a bit alarming to Adalynn, and he seemed little deterred by Merrick’s attempts to ease them into using the weapon—he’d only allowed Danny to fire a few shells. Still, Merrick brought Danny hunting with him early one morning. They returned well before noon with a fat turkey slung over Merrick’s shoulder.

For the rest of his free time, Danny, who’d never been much of a reader before the Sundering, had taken to enjoying the stacks of books and old magazines Merrick had provided—many of them old pulp adventure and fantasy stories dating back to the twenties and thirties.

While Danny occupied himself, Adalynn would sneak away with Merrick to his study or his bedroom—which looked as good as new after his repairs—to satisfy their mutual desire for one another, often for hours at a time. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other once they were close. Unfortunately, her illness always loomed in the backs of their minds; it was something neither of them spoke about, seemingly both unwilling to shatter the happiness they’d found.

When Adalynn wasn’t spending her free time with Merrick—the occasions upon which he reluctantly isolated himself in his study for research—she danced or played the piano.

Today, Adalynn and Danny decided to change things up while Merrick was shut away with his old books. They explored parts of the house they’d not had access to when they first arrived. So much had changed since that night; this was theirhomenow, and Merrick had opened every door to them to make it true in every possible way.

After some wandering, they found themselves in a surprisingly clean attic—whichshouldn’thave been all that surprising considering how Merrick kept the giant house magically dust free. Adalynn couldn’t help a bit of disappointment, however, after the expectations set by dozens of horror movies featuring musty attics full of cobwebs and ghosts.

Instead of restless supernatural entities, they found boxes upon boxes of books, some dating back hundreds of years. Any bibliophile would’ve gone crazy over the hidden collection. All the books were in perfect condition, their pages as crisp as though they’d just been printed. Adalynn knew magic had a hand in it. There were also old toys and trinkets—an entire nursery all packed away—antique furniture, stores of candles, and mounds of like-new, Victorian-era clothing.

“Where’d Merrick get all this stuff?” Danny picked up a black disc and pushed on the middle; it opened into a top hat with apop.

Adalynn stood before a tall, antique floor mirror, holding an elegant, royal blue ballgown against her body. It had a square neckline, long sleeves that flared at the elbows, bows on the bodice, and delicate lace trim. It was absolutely gorgeous, and she could just imagine wearing it as she spun around the ballroom downstairs.

“I don’t think any of this was his. I think it came with the house, left here by whoever owned it before him,” Adalynn said, running her hands over the satiny dress.

“Huh. Probably. How old do you think he is?”

Adalynn glanced at Danny’s reflection in the mirror as he picked up a cane and attempted to twirl it. It promptly slipped out of his hand and clattered loudly on the floor. He winced and bent to pick it up, peeking at Adalynn with a sheepish grin.

She smiled and shrugged, shifting her gaze back to the dress. “I don’t know. Old.”

“And you don’t mind doing it with an old guy?”

Adalynn twisted to look at her brother, mouth agape. “Danny!”

He laughed. “What?”

She jabbed a finger at him. “Thatis none of your business.”

Danny laughed and set the cane down. He lifted his chin toward her. “You should try it on.”

Adalynn looked back down at the dress. It really was pretty. What could it hurt playing dress up for a little while?

“Why not?” She grinned and gestured to the suit hanging in the armoire. “Are you going to dress up, too?”

“Nah.”

“Oh, come on. Please? Forme?”

He pointed at her. “That isn’t fair.”

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