Page 12 of Love, Laugh, Lich

“I thought I was supposed to pick something from the company catalog for that,” I stammer out, the only thought in my head that isn’t crashing disappointment. I barely want to admit to myself what I’m disappointed about, what I’d been getting my hopes up for. Something heartfelt. Something like those flowers, without the card that made them feel less like a romantic gesture and more like an apology.

“That’s for the ten year gift,” he shrugs. He looks so pleased with himself, having given me this congratulatory anniversary gift.

Then he seems to take in my less-than-enthused reaction. “You… don’t like it?”

“It’s lovely,” I say quickly. “I’ll, um, treasure it always.”

He gives me another sort of grin around his fangs, and my heart sinks a little. I can’t keep getting my hopes up with him.

6

When I came in to work the next day, my desk was decorated with confetti. My old, cleaned out cubicle, that is.

The rest of the office apparently knew it was my five-year anniversary, and Janice had even taken the opportunity to bring in sugarless cupcakes. I honestly still can’t tell if that was a kind gesture or not.

At least they didn’t know I’d already moved desks, and my actual working desk in the Dark Sanctum’s waiting room is still perfectly clean. Still, I linger out at the emptied cubicle with my planner, figuring out my day’s to-do list while accepting various good wishes from the accounting department. Randall even gives me a card, which is unexpectedly sweet of him.

I duck into the washroom after someone releases a handful of confetti over my head alongside their happy-five-years proclamations and as I’m picking the pieces out of my hair, my eyes fall on the necklace chain that leads under my dress, the pendant hidden under my collar.

I’d spent every spare moment I had before work trying to decide whether or not to wear it at all. It was a little cheesy, wearing a necklace with the Evil Regime’s symbol on it to the office. It’s not like I need to advertise to everyone.

But Soven had looked so proud of himself after giving it to me, I felt guilty leaving it at home. It wasn’t that it wasn’t lovely; it was what it meant. Or all the things it didn’t mean that I had hoped it would, like some silly, stupid mortal would. Eventually I had compromised and worn it, but tucked it under my top.

I fidget with the chain a moment, before eventually deciding to pull it out, and let it sit on display over my breast. If there would be one day to wear it, I guess it would have to be my five-year anniversary at this job.

I wear it out to the office, returning to my desk in the waiting room.

It’s oddly quiet here, and I don’t know if I like that. I’ve been craving this quiet, this privacy, all week while waiting to have my desk back, but now I don’t have anything to distract me from eyeing the small space between my desk and the doors of the Dark Sanctum.

It’s as I glance the other direction, that it hits me. The ceiling to floor long window is gone. I used to be able to look out of it across the office, wave at people sitting in the cubicles. Now there’s just a wall there.

It’s isolating. Why on earth would Soven get rid of the window?

I jump as I hear Soven call my name from the other side of those doors.

“Lily?”

I sit still and stare for a moment. Of course he’d know I’d be here, this is where I usually am. I don’t know if I’m dreading or hoping to cross that threshold between us. I know I can’t stop thinking about him, but I also know how easily he could break my heart.

I stand, and take a moment to smooth out my skirt, like it will make any difference. He’s seen me beyond disheveled before. I’m delaying.

I open the Sanctum doors, peering inside. As my eyes adjust to the light, I see that his desk is empty. My brows furrow, as my gaze drifts over the built in bookshelves and cases of ingredients, and the small library of alchemical texts.

“You called, Soven?” I call out, looking around in all the usual spots. While it’s still at the forefront of my mind, I ask, “And what’s with the uh, whole thing about my window being gone?”

Then I spot Soven, in the middle of the ritual floor.

The altar is different than usual. Today it’s a seat large enough to accommodate Soven, and he leans back comfortably in it, naked, three dicks draped artfully over his thigh.

I am a little flustered to see him like this, after all, it is first thing in the morning.

The sight of him, the knowledge of the passion and exhilaration that he can provoke in my body during these rituals, instantly ignites a warmth low in my stomach and kindles a wetness between my legs.

“Oh,” I say, shutting the door behind me and crossing to stand before him. I feel a little silly, having brought in my planner and itinerary for the day, as well as a freshly inked quill. I doubt very much he wants to hear if he has any messages or appointments right now.

Soven nods, gesturing me to come closer with his claw. I quickly abandon my planner and quill to the nearest table, step up onto the platform, sidling into his lap, as has become somewhat normal for us in the last week.

“I have something new for you today,” he purrs, tracing his claw down the cleft of my cheeks through my skirt.

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