“Seriously,” she added. “We’ll get roast beef for you. Drown it in gravy. It’ll cure at least 80% of your emotional turmoil.”
I grinned. “And the other 20%?”
“You’ll have to talk to Rune.”
And I would.
Eventually. But first, I was about to enjoy another pivotal part of New Orleans.
The girls had been goneall day, and surprisingly, I was okay. I’d issued a warning and a curfew to the coven after we’d encountered the mist wolf, but there was only so much I could enforce. If no one wanted to listen, all I could do was hope that they wouldn’t find themselves in an early grave.
When it came to my mother though, there was absolutely no telling her what to do, especially during Halloween. This was the first time I’d seen her excited since my father passed away, and I didn’t want to take this from her too.
Plus, I knew they were buying Maple a dress for the Halloween masquerade, and that helped me feel a little better.My mother was a powerful divination witch; she would feel something coming if anything was out to get them. Thankfully, all the bad things that had happened were at night and close to the woods. As long as they stayed in the city, I didn’t have as much to worry about.
We had patrols and even a few extra wards up, but still… I paced.
The truth was, I just missed her. I wanted to know if she found the right dress and how it made her feel. I wanted to know what they ate for lunch and if she was finally enjoying herself here.
I wanted to know as much about her as possible. How her family was growing up, and her friends. I yearned to know more about her magic and how it was growing up as the black sheep. I wondered if her magic wasn’t like the others in her coven, and that was why they shunned her. I also wondered if that was why she speak of it or show it off.
I hoped she laughed today. Real laughter, not the nervous, polite kind.
I wanted her to feel wanted and chosen.
Because shewas.
Not by the arrangement or the silly contract, but in actuality. I wanted her to know that this wasn’t just some agreement. It was truth.
I didn’t care if her magic was different or dormant or dangerously wild. Whatever it was, it was hers and it called to me like nothing else ever had, and that scared the hell out of me.
Louis marched into my office without knocking, which didn’t surprise me anymore.
“Okay, so what have we found out?”
I frowned. “Louis, I’m tired of going in circles with you. Don’t you have something better to do with your life?”
He scowled, which pulled the scar on his face. “No one will go on dates until all this wolf stuff is figured out, so no, I won’t be doing anything better for the foreseeable future.”
I made a face. “Who are you trying to go on dates with? Most of the women in these compound walls wantoutof them.”
His lips twisted. “Did you know there were some fine ass witches in the Norco area?”
I rolled my eyes. “No, I didn’t because I’m not on witch dating apps.”
He nodded slowly. “I forgot you were already married. Bummer.”
“I know you didn’t just say that,” I muttered.
He held his hands up. “I just mean it sucks that you don’t get all the perks that come with marriage, but you are married.”
I closed my eyes. “Thanks for the reminder.”
He leaned in the doorway as I opened my eyes and fixed a deadpan stare on him. “I mean, don’t you haveneeds?”
“If you don’t find somewhere to be, you’re going to find yourself in an early grave, Louis.”
He shook his head at me. “You’re all talk, my man.”
