Page 35 of Witch of My Heart

“Night,”I yawned.

“Night.”

Chapter Eighteen

Cord

The next morning, I was fortunate enough to beat my alarm up. I turned it off before it sounded and pressed my lips together to keep from ‘awwing’ aloud. While I spent the night with my cheek pressed over my mate’s heart, his cousin had just about wrapped around him. Cats were no strangers to the draw of platonic and familial affection. I’d lived around enough wolves and dragons to know they were sucked into that part of their primal nature as often as us cats, but I’d never seen someone so adorable while they did it.

I contemplated starting breakfast instead of the coffee pot. Marcus would understand if I missed one session with him now that I’d met Blithe. Still, I figured I better go reassure him I hadn’t lost my mind. Blithe and Duke would probably sleep until I got back. Most people weren’t up as bright and early as when I made my way to Marcus’s office.

It wasn’t until I raised my hand to knock on his office door that I realized he might have slept in thinking I’d miss my appointment. I knocked anyway.

“Come on in, Cord,” he called, sounding as awake and jovial as ever.

“I wasn’t sure you’d be here,” I said as I opened the door and wiped my feet on the mat.

“You didn’t cancel. So, I would’ve sat here the whole time in case you showed up.”

“I’m not that big of an asshat,” I managed a laugh as I crossed the room to sit down on the sofa. “I’m not crazy either. Before you take a deep dive into what my meeting Blithe means, I just want to get that out of the way. I’m not crazy.”

“Good morning,” Marcus grinned when I stopped to breathe. “Let’s circle back around to Blithe. What have I ever said to make you think I believe you’re crazy?”

“You haven’t said anything. I think I’m still raw from everything that happened yesterday. Actually, I know I’m still raw. Do you think it’s crazy that I feel the need to ward against a dead woman?” I asked.

“No,” Marcus said, short and to the point. “Do you?”

“Personally? No. Anything could happen. I just think some of the others probably think I am crazy.”

“And why does that bother you?” Marcus asked.

“Because I live here! I don’t want to be the crazy guy everyone whispers about,” I groaned and sank into the back of the sofa.

“No one whispers about you. Well, they are right now, but that’s more about you and Blithe meeting and responding – which is to be expected. Your community is happy for you,” Marcus said.

“And the warding?” I asked and held my breath for an answer.

“Do they really need to know what you’re warding against? While I don’t think it’s crazy, I also don’t think it’s their business what or who you ward against. If the magic isn’t harming you or Blithe or anyone innocent, it’s not their business. You’re not warding them against Ginger or anything or anyone else. I hate to say it, but if the village starts talking about that I think you should just show some of that tortitude you’re always showing off. Tell them to mind their own business. I have about my poly relationship, and they still talk to me,” Marcus said, crossing his ankle over his knee.

“How do I tell Starry I think I have to move out?” I asked him.

“Why do you think you have to?” Marcus turned the question around on me.

“I think Duke might stay in Heartville too,” I said.

He opened his mouth and shut it. Marcus didn’t stop himself from speaking often. Usually, his thoughts were well articulated before they ever neared his tongue.

“Do you think that’s bad?” I asked him.

“No, I was about to cross the line from therapist to friend,” he flashed me a sheepish smile.

“Marcus, I can use a friend’s advice that actually understands the brain,” I chuckled.

“I have to give you the therapist version of this, Cord. I can’t say what I think the solution is. You have to resolve your problems. I’m just here to show you what’s in the toolbox. I think the first question is do you want to live with Starry and Xi now? Does Blithe? Then you go from there. When there’s a will, there’s a way and if you guys end up needing more space in the house just call the Sanctuary, if all else fails.”

“That last part didn’t sound very much like a therapist, Marcus,” I teased him.

“Perhaps not, but the guys at the Sanctuary will be more than happy to help if the hands are needed.”

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