Page 107 of Charmed By Destiny

The necromancer clung to him, and Luke hoped Foxe was truly ready for change. If not, Luke would have to send the man on his way and ensure Foxe stayed far away from the Marwoods. Luke was past the point where he’d be manipulated by Foxe again, and he sure as hell wouldn’t allow anyone in the family he’d found with Richard and the rest of the Marwoods to be used either.

???

It’d been a long day, but Richard was alone with Lucas. They’d settled Foxe into a nearby rehabilitation center, and Richard was delighted the man had accepted help. Not because Richard gave a fig about Foxe Arwynn, but because he was important to Lucas. And Richard would support his soulmate in every way possible.

As for Lucas, he was currently staring at Richard with shock on his beautiful face.

“Douglas called you a bitch?” Lucas asked. “Wow.”

Richard nodded. With everything that had happened with Foxe, Richard hadn’t had a chance to fill Lucas in on his little chat with Douglas until now.

“Maybe it was wrong to keep things a secret. I don’t know. I’m not perfect, and it’s possible I did more harm than good. Douglas is entitled to his feelings. Hopefully, he’ll have the opportunity to put his feelings for me behind him. He needs to get out there and search for his soulmate.”

“I highly recommend soulmates,” Lucas said.

Richard caressed his beloved face and kissed his dimple, then his lips. “That makes two of us.”

“Thanks for not punching Foxe.”

“I considered a kick. One hard enough to fling him right off the planet. Did I tell you he called mesweetie? What’s up with that?”

“Did he try to flirt with you? He’s not gay.”

“I’m not sure if it was flirting. Honestly, I don’t know what his intent was, that wasn’t what pissed me off. It was how he thought he could show up here and pick you up. Like this was a fucking lost and found. This journey of dealing with his addiction should give him a better perspective on life. Maybe he’ll finally realize that inspirits are people, not minions.”

“Why did I think he loved me?” Lucas asked, hurt darkening his gray eyes.

“I can’t answer for him, but we don’t know that he doesn’t love you. It’s just a limited love because he can’t find that kind of adoration for himself, let alone another person. He’s fucked up, Lucas.”

“Thank you, I needed to hear that. The future is what matters in my relationship with Foxe.”

“Yes, because now you know what his patterns are and can avoid being used to feed his addiction.”

“I’m so relieved he accepted help. I want him to make the most of this opportunity.”

“Me too,” Richard said, brushing their lips together and wiggling closer to Lucas. To his delight, Lucas cupped his ass and hauled him up so Richard was straddling his soulmate.

“I have a confession.”

“Spill it.”

“I didn’t need to go to the main ballroom, but everyone kept congratulating me, and it was overwhelming.”

Richard laughed. “I was hiding in my office for the same reason. It was beautiful to have so many people thrilled for us. I’m not complaining. But it was like being smacked in the face with a happy ball full of glitter, cake, and hugs.”

“Your mother horrified me at dinner, by the way.”

Scanning through the conversation at dinner, Richard couldn’t pinpoint why Lucas had been frightened, but he petted his pecs through his shirt to soothe him anyway. “What did she say?”

“At the end, as we were heading out of the room, she mentioned wedding planning. Are we starting that already?”

“I’m honestly surprised it took her so long to begin that conversation,” Richard said, amused at Lucas’s befuddled expression. “You’re an event planner. It’ll be great. Speaking of which, I think you should take Douglas’s job and join me as co-director.”

“No, Dragonfly. I appreciate the offer, but I’m underqualified for his position. I’d love to work alongside you and maybe share an office someday. However, I have a lot to learn first.”

Disappointment filled Richard, but he understood. He would’ve been fine with Lucas picking up experience along the way, but he respected the inspirit’s drive to earn his role. “Okay. I’ll do it by myself until you’re ready.”

“You may not want me to share your title after you’ve soaked up your role as leader.”

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