Page 34 of Wishing Upon a Monster
We worked together bagging the remaining tailypo, while Nash checked us over for severe injuries.
“How are you enjoying the nightshift?” he chuckled, prodding my side. “Do you miss us yet?”
“Like a hair on a biscuit,” I said, giving him a look.
He guffawed, “At least let me give you a healing potion before you ride back with your team. I promise it’s the good stuff.”
“I’m going to accept,” I groaned, cracking my neck, “even if it will make me feel loopy.”
The ride back to headquarters was silent. For once, Mac didn’t have a story to tell. I was exhausted, the potion doing an excellent job of speeding up my healing. This evening was intense, and it wasn’t lost on me that tonight was reminiscent of that afternoon when I met Olan.
Which is perhaps why I shouldn’t have been surprised that he was waiting for me outside. He looked as nonchalant as a giant shadow god could look, leaning against the side of the building. As soon as we parked, Olan was there, opening my door for me.
“Min skat.” He offered me a hand like I was exiting a carriage.
“Hello,” I said tiredly but still with a smile, “Just let me change and go get––”
But like that afternoon, I should have known better. Olan scooped me up into his arms, carrying me inside the building.
I wondered if I should be offended. I had always been the self-sufficient child, born near the end of a long line of siblings and left to my own devices, especially after not manifesting magic. But instead, I laid my cheek on his cool shoulder as he carried me bridal style to the women’s locker room. He didn’t ask if he could go inside, still one hundred percent the self-assured being I’d come to care for over the last few weeks.
He sat me on one of the benches and asked, “Which one is yours?”
“Number fifteen,” I stretched a hand pointing to the end of the row.
He found it easily, waving a hand over my combinationlock. With a click and no combination, he opened it and scooped out my clothing.
“Thank you,” I said, yawning, “I can––”
“You could,min lille skat, but I wish to.” He sat across from me, straddling the bench. “Lift your arms.”
I complied, letting him undress me. He was so careful, noting every wince as he redressed me in the leggings and blue tunic I wore to work.
“Would you put my uniform in that hamper over there?” I asked.
“Yes,min skat.”
He picked me up again, and I felt my eyelids drooping.
“I’m sorry I’m so sleepy,” I yawned again, “It’s the healing potion.”
“Let me take you home, I want to bathe you and put you to bed,” he said, nuzzling the side of my head.
“Normally, I would fight you on that, but that sounds lovely,” I murmured.
He laughed warmly, “Good,min elskede, I would hate to have to insist.”
“Mhmmm, I would like to see how exactly you would insist, but maybe another night,” I said, drifting.
The sound of my little clawfoot tub filling with water woke me. I was in my attic bedroom, cradled by my bed under thick blankets. Absently, I noted I was naked. I didn’t mind. I woke a second time as he stepped into my tub with me. I sighed as we settled beneath the warm water.
“The s-minotaur tub s-was a good idea,” I slurred.
“It was,min elskede. I am going to wash you now, hmmm?” he queried.
“S-sounds good,” I said, relaxing further as the washcloth glided over my skin.
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