Page 19 of Witch of My Heart

“Don’t worry about it,” I said, leaning in closer to him.

“If you two need some time alone---” Duke said, but I didn’t hear the rest of what he said over the doorbell.

“Shit,” Cord swore under his breath.

Leaning up he pressed a button on the wall, lighting up the screen next to it. A vaguely familiar man stood holding a blood shake in either hand.

“Who’s that?” Duke asked before I could.

“Irwin. He’s Marcus’s mate,” Cord said. “Those must be for you guys.”

Duke opened his mouth to say that he didn’t drink them, but Cord was already out of the room.

“So, they seem to have assumed I’m a vampire too,” he chuckled.

“You are. Well, sort of. Drinking one wouldn’t hurt you. Just because you don’t have fangs doesn’t mean you didn’t test out as a vampire,” I reminded him. “But I’ll drink them both. Probably for the best with everything that’s going on.”

“Are you thirsty?” Duke asked.

“Yeah. Ever since the harpy body slammed me.” I admitted.

“I wouldn’t drink one of those feathered guys. They have so much magic running around their veins that you’d probably fucking OD on them.”

“Please don’t drink Xi,” Cord said, coming back into the room. “I hope you two don’t mind, but I didn’t invite Irwin in. He’s married to your cousin and all – well, sorta cousin. Anyway, I know he’s a nice guy and all, but I’m not in the mood for more company right now.”

“It’s your house, mate,” I said before Duke could be a smart ass. “I’ll take those. Duke isn’t quite fanged enough to partake in them.”

My cousin rolled his eyes, but my mate flashed me a smile of pure amusement. My heart pounded in my ears as I took the lidded cups from him, and he sat back down next to me. His kneebrushed against mine and I let out a long slow sigh. Duke opened his mouth – probably to ask if we needed some time alone again, but Cord spoke before he could.

“Can I try it?” he asked. “I’ve always wondered what they taste like.”

I took the lid off the reddest one and sniffed it.

“What they taste like depends on the brand and what they’ve added in. This one smells like pomegranate. It’ll sorta taste like that too, but --- bloodier, I guess, is the only way to describe it. You can try it, though,” I passed it off to him to sniff the other one. “This one’s strawberry.”

He took a sip of the shake and rolled it around on his tongue.

“I taste a lot more blood than fruit,” he grinned. “Sugar too. Lots of sugar. Do you have a certain brand you like the most?”

“Eh, I’m not picky,” I shrugged and started in on the strawberry blood shake. “I live feed a lot. Well, not ---” I took another drink to buy myself time.

“He feeds with a live feeding kit a lot. Think of it more like a shot glass than a bite,” Duke said, while I drank. “And don’t worry. He’s a gentlemen. He won’t feed from you. Well, maybe if you want him to.”

“Duke!” I said his name like a curse.

“Fine, cousin. I will take my leave. It’s not as if good natured ribbing has been a part of true-mate responses for all of eternity. No, I’m just the guy making it up as I go,” Duke pushed himself upright, his scent still playful.

“You sure you don’t want a shake?” I asked, holding the glass out to him.

“I get my blood the way the old gods intended, in my meat,” he smirked. “In all seriousness, if you guys need anything let me know. I’ll check on you soon. I won’t tell your parents or mine, but Blithe, you know they’ll find out soon either way. So, maybeput the cap on thinking about sneaking off to the coven for a while if you don’t want them to know what you’re up to.”

“Thanks, Duke,” I said and meant it.

“Congratulations,” he smirked as he backed out of the witch room and shut the door behind him.

Chapter Ten

Cord

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