Page 32 of Pints & Potions

“Never a dull moment in this crazy-ass family,” Knox muttered.

Because she couldn’t argue with his assessment, she nodded. “Truth.”

He released a bark of laughter, but before he could say anything more, the door burst open to reveal a harried-looking Cian.

“Who’s he and what’s he doing in your bloody room?” Cian demanded barely shy of a bellow.

At the first sign of invasion, Knox had lifted his arms and drew electricity from the molecules around him. Blue sparks snapped and crackled between the fingers of his right hand as an energy ball rotated an inch above his palm.

Wanting nothing more than to prevent a bloodbath, Piper inserted herself between the men. “Please stand down, Knox.”

“No.”

“Babe.”Spring’s endearment sounded more like a scold. She ducked under her husband’s arm, rolled her eyes, and held out a hand. “You must be Cian. I feel like I already know you. I’m Spring Thorne… er, Carlyle.” She shot a sheepish grin over her shoulder toward Knox. “You’d think after all this time I’d be used to my married name.”

Knox extinguished the weaponized energy ball and postured by folding his arms across his chest, thereby making his sculpted biceps more intimidating—and mouth wateringly delicious. “Especially since you wrote Mrs. Knox Carlyle thousands of times in your diary growing up.”

With an outraged cry and an elbow to her husband’s stomach, Spring said, “It was an enchanted pen that got carried away.”

They all shared a laugh at her blatant lie.

“Yep, this is my family,” Piper gave Spring an affectionate smile, then turned her curious gaze to Cian. “Care to explain why you charged in here ready to maim someone?”

Red crept up his neck as he darted a look in Knox’s direction. “I don’t.”

“You don’t what?”

“Care to explain, and that’s all I’m going to say about it.”

His stubbornness was somewhat endearing, as was his obvious jealousy. Piper found it difficult to hold back her grin.

“Was the burly dude Russian?” Spring asked with wide-eyed delight.

Dumbfounded, Cian stared at her. Whether it was her off-the-wall question or because her cousin was jaw-droppingly beautiful, Piper couldn’t say. But she tapped a finger under his chin to close his trap. “She’s taken,” she murmured. “By the guy who would fry you to a crisp and step over your smoldering bones if you look at her sideways.”

Cian laughed. “I thought I made it clear to you earlier, I don’t play in other men’s houses, Piper me love.”

Knox held out a hand. “In that case, I’m Knox Carlyle, and it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

12

Due to the cramped quarters, they took their tea and scones to the downstairs sitting room to discuss the reason for Spring’s visit. Cian couldn’t resist taking the spot next to Piper on the loveseat. She’d be gone soon, and the whirlwind of conflicting emotions caused by her imminent departure threatened his peace of mind; a small sense of relief mixed with a larger part of pure regret and a dash of what-if.

With one arm tucked along the back of the sofa, he settled in and stole a scone from Piper’s plate, giving her a wink in the process. She returned his cheekiness with a warning look, but said nothing. He caved to the urge to grin as he bit the scone.

Cian didn’t miss Knox’s watchfulness or Spring’s overly curious gaze darting between Piper and him. The husband-and-wife team seemed like an odd couple at first glance. Without a doubt, they were an indescribably beautiful pair. However, Knox remained quiet and on edge, while Spring was bubbly and accepting, seemingly ignorant of the possible dangers surrounding her. Cian had the feeling Knox was always in protector mode around his lively wife.

Spring leaned forward and focused all her attention on Cian. “Your sister told me about Glencar Waterfall. She was confident the last ingredient we’d need would be in the surrounding woods. Do you know which waterfall she’s talking about? Perhaps if you do, we can get an early start.”

“Yeah. It’s a bit of a drive, and I don’t know the ingredient you might be missing, but I’ll happily show you the way.”

“It’s a root, and I’ll spell the area so I know it when I see it.”

“As soon as we grab breakfast, I’ll bring round the Rover.”

Knox chuckled as the women exchanged amused glances.

Cian frowned. “What am I missing?”

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