Hiding from the Coven (Daughters of the Warlock 2)

“Please, have a seat,” I said, gesturing to the couch while I plonked down on my bed cross legged, anxious to put some space between us. It was strange. I wanted to be close, but being close felt as though he was smothering me. Distance allowed me to breathe a little easier.

If I didn’t take the proper precautions, I was liable to kiss him, or strangle him for leaving me hanging for so long. I hadn’t decided which desire was stronger yet. Hell, I might do both.

Tavlor glanced around and then lowered onto the couch.

I almost laughed watching him perch on the edge, his back ramrod straight as he tried to appear proper and business like. It reminded me of pictures Mother had once showed us of a human school, when the adult teacher would balance precariously on a chair designed for one of the child-aged students.

When he didn’t speak, I pushed on. “So, what’s going?”

I rubbed my hands on my thighs, trying to prevent the perspiration that started to accumulate on my palms from getting out of control.

He lifted his gaze and met mine with an intensity that almost took my breath away.

“The Council have charged me with the job of finding you, arresting you, and bringing you in,” he said, his voice firm and unwavering.

I nodded, swallowing the large lump that gathered in my throat. “Yes, you already told me that.” I released a breath, treading carefully. “Is that why you’re here? To collect me?”

I tried to inject levity into my tones, but it came out strained. I wasn’t sure I was ready for his answer. I didn’t want to hear that he was willing to listen blindly to a group that thought he was some sort of abomination. But Tavlor had always been the sort to keep his head down and follow orders. We hadn’t known each other for very long, but that was something I immediately picked up, right off the bat.

He shook his head harshly. “No, of course not.”

His fingers curled into fists, as though he was offended I would even suggest something like that.

But what did he want me to think?

I stopped rubbing my thighs, relief flooding through my body. “Then, not that I’m not happy to see you... but why are you here?” I said. As much as I liked Tavlor, he wasn’t the type to drop by and say hello. He always had a reason for everything he did. “Isn’t this dangerous? You coming to see me?”

Could he have led people to my whereabouts? Maybe he, himself, wasn’t going to claim me, but maybe others would?

He shook his head. “No.” He flared his nostrils, looking at the wall behind me. “I have family in this kingdom, and simply requested a day to visit them as I have been busy searching other realms recently, pretending to look for you.”

“Oh.” How could I have forgotten he was half-Fae? It was a critical reason why he was so hated. I shrugged. “That’s nice. I suppose.”

The room filled with an awkward silence. It was unfair that the only man I’d ever met, ever kissed, was sworn to be my enemy.

I didn’t completely trust his intentions, but I was filled with contradicting emotions. Part of me wanted to tell him to leave, that it was too dangerous, while the other part wanted to invite him on my bed and finish what we had started.

God, I wanted him to kiss me again.

“So, did you get to see your family then?” I asked, forcing myself to find the words somewhere. Considering he had never mentioned his family before, I wondered who they were and if I had met them while out and about in this realm. I hadn’t noticed anyone who looked like Tavlor, but then again, had I been looking properly? Probably not.

“No.” He shook his head once. “I came straight to see you.”

My stomach leapt and twisted, though I was unsure whether I should be excited or worried. I started to rub my thighs again. I felt magic tickle my fingertips, pushing against my skin, begging to be released. I was afraid if I did that, my feelings towards him would be obvious. I would give myself away.

Not that he didn’t know how I felt. That kiss pretty much revealed everything. But I didn’t need to accidentally send the feathers in my pillows flying everywhere because I couldn’t control my magic, either.

“Because you wanted to check on me?” I asked. I couldn’t believe the words actually came out of my mouth. “Or because...” I let my voice trail off and held my breath.

Tavlor sighed, heavily. He leaned forward, elbows on knees, rubbing his palms together casually. His hands probably weren’t sweating. He probably wasn’t even nervous.

“Because I need to tell you something that I felt better done face to face,” he said.

I inhaled quickly, my breath quivering. I didn’t like the tone of his voice. I wasn’t sure what he had to say, but obviously it was important. He wouldn’t risk coming to see me so openly if it wasn’t, especially if it wasn’t part of the rules.

“Tell me,” I said.

Was there something wrong? Had the Council found my sisters?