Page 115 of Howl You Doin?
The phone beeps again and the wordOdettepops across the screen. I stifle a groan. How the hell did she get my number?
I glance back at Connor, looking cuddle worthy in the extreme. She cannot be serious.Now?
My phone vibrates again.
Unknown:
Yes, now.
I didn’t even text anything! Freaking witches.
Yellow flashes in my vision. Annoyed, but knowing I will never get any sleep until I find out what she wants, I scoot away from Connor again. He doesn’t move this time as I get out of the bed.
After slipping on my house shoes, I make my way down the winding back stairs toward the kitchen, wondering what the hell the Witch Queen could possibly want with me. I wrap my robe around me a bit tighter when a cold draft makes my skin break out in goosebumps and curse myself for ever leaving Connor’s arms. Dammit, what am I doing?
I grumble to myself, my body still tired from last night, feeling entirely put out.
“Come on, Whitley,” Odette says, standing at the parlor-room door.
I take a look at her outfit today: high-waisted dark blue pants and a white blouse with matching blue stilettos. There is no way those can be comfortable.
“Do you want a coffee or anything?”
That’s when I notice the coffee mug in her hand. A stick appears that begins swirling and a strong wind seems to blow across the top of the cup.
“Oh. No thanks,” I say, eyeing the coffee like it may reach out and bite me.
She shrugs, the stick in the cup still stirring as she walks further inside. I stand halfway in the room and wait for her tospeak. Since I’m up now, I’m hungry and should make Connor and me some brunch.
“So, I wanted to ask you about something. I’m leaving this afternoon and won’t get another chance to talk to you, but I wanted to tell you about a tea I can make that could help you and Connor as a contraceptive. Only if you want.”
“A tea?” I ask, but I hear his approach even before he says anything.
I guess I didn’t sneak away as well as I thought. He’s so damn fast.
Connor’s imminent appearance has me and Odette locking our gazes, interrupting whatever she was about to say.
I turn to him with a sigh when he comes through the doorway. His hair’s a mess and he looks disgruntled, wearing just a dark-colored T-shirt and jogging pants. I can tell he just threw anything on to chase after me, since his feet are bare.
“You will not take any potion. I forbid it,” he says, jabbing a finger in Odette’s direction. “And how dare you bring this up without me around!”
Potions? What?
Odette lets out a little huff full of disgust and plants her hands on her hips. “It’s meant to help you.”
“Wait. How did you know that’s what she wanted?” I ask, looking up at his annoyed face as he rushes further into the room, then I turn back to her. “Is that what you wanted?”
“That’s all she ever wants,” Connor states, coming to my side and slipping his hand across my waist. He stares down at the cup of coffee in her hand, and his nose wrinkles in disgust.
“Even now, she could be pregnant. I just assumed that you two would want some time together before the kids come along,” Odette says, before settling into a chair at a small table for two.
Kids? I blink, unsure how to process that, having practically abandoned the idea of children since my divorce, and glance upat Connor. If I ever wanted any, even as much as I know Odette is trying to help, I’m one-hundred-percent positive that I don’t want potions. Just the thought of taking magic on purpose feels weird, and the idea that children could be an option for me again fills me with hope.
“No potions. Do not give her any—we do not want any—ever.” Connor blanches, his skin paling like the idea leaves him sick.
“Will you stop being so overbearing? I wouldneverdo anything to hurt her and anything I would give her would be completely safe!” Odette shouts, her tone pissed off and eyes looking like unicorn sprinkles. “Listen. Thewomenare speaking right now about awoman’sbody.”
“She’s not taking anything from you,” he shouts, shaking his head as he steps to the side. “As much as I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, your potions and spells have consequences.”
