Page 28 of Midnight Rules
“I would love that.” Marric smiled as he met Iven’s gaze.
Iven kissed his forehead. He’d made Marric happy simply by asking him out. It suddenly became Iven’s lot in life to make Marric happy every moment of every day.
Chapter Fourteen
Marric couldn’t believe he had a date with Iven, the sheriff of Fortune Falls. Someone as hot as him liked Marric, a farm kid and heir to a title he didn’t want. Marric really wasn’t anything special. But Iven had protected him and put himself on the line by helping Marric. It was truly amazing.
“So did your mom teach you magic?” Iven asked as he held the door open to the library.
The building appeared to be a lot older than the surrounding buildings. It smelled old too. Maybe it was the smell of so many old books. It wasn’t unpleasant. In fact, Marric liked it. “She didn’t want Tory, Emery, and me to use it, so we had to teach ourselves. I’m teaching Emery, but I don’t know what I’m doing any more than she does.”
A man stood behind a counter, watching them as they approached.
Iven was the one who spoke to the man. “Can you point me toward the archives?”
“Is there a problem, sheriff?” He raised his eyebrows as if expecting Iven to affirm that something was wrong and thatIven would spill his guts to the guy simply because he was the librarian.
“Nothing you need to worry about.” Iven’s expression was neutral, but his tone held just enough authority to let the guy know he meant business.
The man pointed deeper into the library. “Turn left at the medieval history section and then take the elevator down to the basement.”
Iven nodded and pulled Marric along in the direction the librarian pointed. “I could teach you.”
“Teach me what?”
“How to channel your magical abilities. I’m not a witch. My magic comes from a different place, but I can help you still.” It was kind of sweet the way Iven blushed at the suggestion, as if he expected Marric to say no.
“I wouldn’t mind getting a lesson or two from you.” Okay, Marric hadn’t meant that to come out so suggestive.
Iven smiled and raised his eyebrows. “Are we still talking about magic?”
“Not at all.” Marric pressed against Iven’s side.
“I can give you another kind of lesson too, right alongside the magic lesson.”
“Like a reward?”
They were the only ones in the elevator, which made their conversation a lot easier. They didn’t have to continue to whisper anymore.
Marric turned into Iven when Iven pulled him closer.
“I’ll reward you, honey.” It felt as though Iven already was with the way he tucked Marric against him.
“We’re going to bond, aren’t we?” Marric’s dad would hate it, but he already knew he wanted something permanent with Iven.
“Eventually. But we should get to know each other first.”
“With magic lessons that include rewards.” Marric was really leaning into the positive reinforcement.
Marric never understood the expression, smiling with his eyes until Iven did it.
The elevator dinged. Marric could have stayed inside all day with Iven, but the doors slid open and Marric had to move away.
Iven took his hand as they walked into a dark room with shelves so large they reached the ceiling.
“Whoa.” Marric moved closer to Iven, pressing against him again, but for a whole different reason the second time. There were shadows, creating too many places for someone to hide.
“There are wards everywhere. No one can hurt you,” Iven whispered and squeezed his hand gently, as if to let him know he was there to protect him. It felt good to have someone he could rely on. Someone who would have his back.
