Hail to the Queen (Witch For Hire 2)
“Safe. I already had Larkin, Percival, and Miles carry them off.”
I relax. “Thank you. All of you.” My voice shakes.
“You’re dead on your feet,” Cristobal remarks.
“It’s been a rough week,” I say sarcastically.
He moves to bite his wrist, and I shake my he
ad and wiggle. He lowers me to the ground.
“We should go. I’ll be fine. I just need rest.”
“Blood will help boost your energy.” Cristobal holds out his wrist.
I turn my head away. “It’s not a V-8, Cristobal. I don’t need it that bad.”
“Because you have to be at death’s door to drink from me?” Cristobal glowers down at me. He’s not used to being opposed.
“I didn’t say that. You’re overreacting.” I refuse to let drinking blood become a crutch I constantly lean on.
“No. You are clinging to outdated beliefs.”
“Let me. You’re carrying around some long gone practices yourself.” His anger is a hot wave. He’s shaken by the close call. So am I.
Marcellus clears his throat. “We should go.”
“We’ll send someone to retrieve the van and replace it for them,” Cristobal says banking the fire in his voice.
“I’ve got Sacha,” Renee offers, turning his bright grin her way. “It’s like a piggyback ride at warp speed.”
She laughs. “I guess there’s a first time for everything. We’ll see you back at the house.”
She’s gone with Ruby and Ada trailing them before I can comment. As the rest of the court disperses, Cristobal scoops me up under my knees. He’s far too dignified for a piggyback ride. I giggle. He smiles down at me. “Hold on.” He takes off like a bullet from the gun. I close my eyes as the world rushes by in a rush of air.
We end up in the gardens.
“Do we have to finish this now?”
“Yes, we’ve already left it too long.”
“We’re bonded. I’m becoming Lady of your Court. Do you really need more from me right now?”
“Don’t you see you’re only delaying the inevitable?”
“How do you figure that?”
“Living in our home, attending our celebrations and following our customs, you’ll be one of us. Blood exchanges will be commonplace.”
“To you and the others because you’re a vampire. I am a witch.”
“No. You were. What you are now is more. This bond changed us both in ways we’ve still yet to comprehend. I need to know you can handle what might come with that.”
“It’s a little late to question my ability to keep it together, don’t you think?”
The elephant in the room resurfaces. We may be adjusting now, but it doesn’t erase the fact that he bonded us without my permission. It’s not a choice so easily forgiven, forgotten, or moved on from.
“Are you going to bring that up every time we disagree?”