Page 37 of Witch of My Heart

“If you need to pause this or our sessions or anything else, just speak up. Everyone will understand. Plus, you don’t have to house hunt.”

“Huh?” I blinked at him.

“Liam’s a seer. I’m pretty sure he knew Duke and Blithe would stay here, even if he didn’t know why at the time. Besides the house he’s prepped for Del, Rex, and Baby Lupus, he put a lot of effort into the guest house that Duke and Blithe would’ve stayed in if you two hadn’t true-mate responded. So, as long as it’s up to your expectations, I’m sure it’s meant for you all.”

“Oh,” I blinked and then my eyes misted over. “That’s really nice.”

“That’s living in Heartville. We expect our guests to stay forever,” he chuckled.

“I hope we all stay here forever,” I whispered more to myself than to Marcus.

Chapter Nineteen

Blithe

“You sleep in so late,”Cord purred over the group link.“I miss you, mate. It’s time to come back to the land of the living.”

I blinked my eyes trying to figure out what time of day it was and where exactly I was. Duke was still curled around me like I was his fanged teddy bear. I swallowed hard, my throat burning for something – blood. I definitely needed it today. Tiny claws dug into my back as my mate kneaded my bare flesh under his jellybeans. I was as stuck as a guy could get, but wasn’t in any hurry to budge up.

“What time is it, mate?” I asked, letting my eyes slide shut again as he made biscuits on my back.

“Just after seven.”

“That’s not that late,” I laughed. “Are you okay?”

“I get up early. I like the world more before everyone rushes out of their houses and shakes it all up like a snow globe full of nails.”

“That sounds painful,” I managed a laugh.

“And I had therapy. I picked up coffee and breakfast from Bad Wolf Cakes. Xi and Starry are still asleep. Xiam is chewing on his crib again, but that’s Starry’s job. Last time I tried to put a finger in his mouth to make him stop chewing on the wood, he bit me.”

“Duke?” I blinked.

“What is it, cousin? The sun isn’t even warm enough to heat me up yet. Why are you waking me up?” he muttered

“Starry’s kid is chewing on his crib.”

“He’s not a dragon, is he?” Duke lifted his head and opened one eye.

“He’s a fox, technically,” I said, “but his carrier’s a dragon. Maybe you could get him not to eat the crib while his parents sleep in.”

“Why can’t you do it?” Duke groaned and buried his head under the pillow. “Shit!”

“What?” I laughed.

“I’m getting up. Just give me a minute. I’ll give you two some time alone,” he said, pushing himself upright.

“That works. I wasn’t headed in that direction. I just didn’t want to get bit,” I laughed.

“Oh, you’d rather me get bitten?” he asked.

“You have scales, sometimes, anyway.”

“Eh, fuck you and your scaleless ass,” he said, as he stretched and staggered out of the room.

“I love you, Duke!” I called after him.

“I love you too, asshole!” He muttered.

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