Page 36 of Witch of My Heart

“I’ve been told about all the houses they built and seen them too,” I nodded.

“Now, tell me about Blithe,” Marcus said.

“Well, once I figured out I could talk to him without summoning my dead sire he’s pretty awesome. I mean it. His magic is like invisible liquid or something. I can’t describe it. Until him I never felt or saw anything like it. He’s willing to ward against her and whatever else before we have kittens.”

“As your therapist, I have to give you the friendly reminder, that the longer you postpone the claiming vows the more likelyit is that the magic will initiate heat and perhaps conception as well.”

“I know that,” I said, brushing him off with a hand.

Marcus and I had talked too many things in circles for me to get embarrassed by him talking about heat. Though, imagining that word on Blithe’s tongue was almost enough to make me sprint out of Marcus’s office in his direction.

“I’m aware you have the knowledge, but I’m also aware how much the true-mate response can play with your memory,” Marcus grinned. “So, quick check list – do you feel safe with Blithe?”

“Yes,” I nodded. “More safe than I’ve ever felt around someone I barely know.”

“Do you feel safe with his intentions for you?” Marcus asked.

“Yes,” I nodded, trying not to think about everything Blithe might intend to do with me. “I know this list very well, but he’s my true-mate.”

“I think that answers most of the rest of them then,” Marcus grinned.

“Is it ungrateful if I want to move out?” I asked Marcus.

“No, Cord. It’s not ungrateful. Starry moved out of his brother’s house when he met Xi. Sometimes multi-family or multi-generational arrangements work. Sometimes mates or even individuals want their own space or need it. If you need that or even if you just want it, Starry will understand. I think he’ll trust Blithe a lot more himself once you and he exchange the claiming vows.”

“But we have to solve this first,” I said.

“Solve what?” Marcus asked.

“Where Blithe and I are going to live when we have kittens. Warding the whole territory against Ginger would be sorta hard. Maybe impossible.”

“Did you and Blithe already reach an agreement about this?” Marcus asked.

“About the wards and spells? Yes. About where to live? No,” I shook my head. “We’re going to ward before we conceive kittens and Marcus, I really want to conceive kittens.”

“Do you want a child, or do you want to do all the stuff that makes a child?” Marcus asked, treading lightly.

“Both. Both, of course,” I laughed.

“Are you sending him on some grand quest or something, Cord?” Marcus asked and it took me a minute to realize he was half-joking.

“Not exactly. He offered the solution,” I said, feeling the fur on my cat’s back stand up.

“Cord, even if you were, if he was playing along and no one was getting hurt, it’s fine. It’s okay to have courting rituals or want proof that someone is willing to protect any children you have with them. For a lot of folks, it would be symbolic, but you’ve been in a life and death situation before. For you, it’s real. Have you considered that Blithe’s willingness to ward against an event that has less than a 1% chance of happening is symbolic for how hard you think he’d fight to protect you and your future children?”

“I’d fight too,” I squared my shoulders. “We’ve been over this. It’s not like I didn’t fight. I just --- I wasn’t stronger than a dragon, okay?”

“Perhaps, you don’t care if Blithe is stronger than the proverbial dragon or in this case, the dead dragon, you just want to know he’s willing to fight by your side.”

“That’s it,” I nodded, something lighting up in my brain. “Do you think he is? I mean, you’ve met him before, right?”

“Are you asking me as your therapist or friend?” Marcus asked.

“A friend, always a friend, Marcus,” I laughed.

“Blithe is a good guy. I always thought he was a bit of a loner, but a good guy. Now, I only knew him during a few summers, but if he wasn’t a good guy, Bobby or Adrian would speak up. Oh, speaking of Adrian, should he expect you tomorrow morning for your boxing lesson?”

“I’m going to try to attend it,” I nodded.

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