Page 41 of Witch of My Heart

“I didn’t lock you in this time!” I called back to him.

“Just checking,” he laughed.

Chapter Twenty-One

Blithe

Standing under the hot water my mind wandered to what Cord and I might do in the shower if the magical work was already finished. Instead, my wolf head butted into my ribs. I’d been pretty closed off to our family link since scenting Cord, but he was right. If I put off contacting my parents much longer, my carrier would worry. There was only so much Duke could do to put that off. I wanted to talk to him – to tell him all about Cord and how our magics entwined. Except, I needed to talk to my sire first. I needed to tell him that I was warding against a dead woman. That I got it now. He’d never tell me he told me so, but I’d say it for him. It didn’t change how much my blood longed for the magic of my ancestors, but I’d never have pushed for answers as a kid if I understood the push and pull of the magic that drove me to protect Cord at all costs.

After my shower, I found Cord had left my duffel bag outside the bathroom door. I dressed in the bedroom before retrieving my phone from the nightstand. I had a few missed calls and enough texts to fill up a poetry book. Most of the texts came from my siblings and cousins. A few were from Lamb asking if it were true that I met my other half.

I texted him back to confirm. Then I scrolled through the rest of his texts about how much he hoped his true-mate was also a witch and that in theory Cord and I should be able to successfully do just about any sort of magic we put our joint minds to. Later, when my stomach wasn’t growling and I wasn’t missing Cord so much, I’d get back to him properly. Instead, I snapped a photo of the sticky note Liam had given me andcaptioned it quickly with the backstory. Maybe Lamb would find something I missed.

The texts from Travis and Trista were mostly about wanting to do a photo shoot with us for their brand. That was NOT happening. They could roll around half-naked on camera as much as they liked, but some of us had better things to do with our time.

My stomach growled again, sending a vibration of thirst up my throat. Sighing, I shut the text window and told my phone to call my sire. He’d already be at work. So there was a good chance that I’d get to speak with him alone.

“Hey, kiddo! About time you called. Though, I put my money on you checking in tomorrow, not today. Looks like your carrier won this one. Now, I’m sorting his mail for the next month. Probably for the best. He’d let it stack up anyway. He won’t let me just toss it out either,” Dad said without even giving me a chance to say hello.

He was in a good mood that morning.

“Hey,” I laughed. “Should’ve texted me to hold off so you could’ve won,” I said, leaning one hand against the wall, smiling despite the serious nature of what I wanted to talk about.

“Don’t,” Dad said. “Not about the cheating for me to win. That weshould’vedone. Whatever you’re about to apologize for, don’t.”

“I would’ve never asked at all if I had known more or knew how it felt to---” I started.

“No, Blithe. I mean it. I think I know what this is about and what I said that day hasn’t changed. Yes, he was upset, but how were you to know why when you were never told? I told you because it was easier for me. That was my job as your dad. That’s still my job as your dad. I’m happy you’ve met Cord, but to be honest, I always hoped you kids would escape some of the problems we had in our generation. Just goes to showhow history repeats itself, but the fact you’re calling to apologize to me as soon as you get firsthand experience, means we did something right. Seriously, know better, do better. That’s all any of us can do and before you try to apologize for anything else, Blithe. You were a good kid. Cunning and sneaky and annoyed the hell out of Millie and Travis, but that’s what you were supposed to do. Just ask Ross about Darian when he was younger. Seriously, I’m happy for you and Cord. Even with this mysterious sticky note from the Other World stuff going on. If you need advice on how to help Cord cope, I’m your guy. Hell, your carrier’s your guy too.”

“I don’t want to put him through that or make him relive that,” I shook my head.

“That’s his choice and he’ll help if he sees a way to. That’s our job. I know you’re older now, but that job never ends. You’ll get that one day. Well, I don’t mean to assume, but if you and Cord have kids, you’ll get that one day.”

“We want kids,” I said and told him about the warding situation.

“Ward the yard too,” Dad said without missing a beat once I finished explaining the dead woman situation. “Maybe make him something to wear. Get matching tattoos done that makes him feel closer to you. I wouldn’t usually recommend that, but he’s your true-mate, that already means forever. Set up a memorial to his dad if that helps.”

“Hell,” I sighed. “You’re almost as worried about him as I am.”

“He’s family now, Blithe. It doesn’t matter whether or not you’ve exchanged vows. The moment you two responded he became family, and we take care of our pack around here.”

“Thanks, Dad, and thanks for everything I guess?” I let out a low laugh.

“The acknowledgement is nice, kiddo, but you don’t have to thank me. Just think about this when you’re raising your own kids. One day, they’ll realize you’re not perfect and then they’ll decide whether or not you did your best because that’s all anyone can ask for. Oh, and now that I think about it, ask Liam about the dead vampire’s accent. That might clear up whose ancestor he actually is.”

“Good idea,” I smiled, because he always saved my ass like that when I couldn’t conjure an answer from thin air. “Thanks, Dad, for everything.”

“Don’t thank me, but at least text your carrier before you get all caught up in the rest of it. It’s not about giving us equal phone time. Just let him know you’re thinking of him.”

“I will. Love you.”

“Love you, kiddo. Go and ward the den.”

“Will do.”

I hung up smiling despite the itching thoughts about what else he might have kept from me while I was growing up.

“Everyone’s entitled to their own secrets,”my wolf said.“Now, text Dad so we can eat.”

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