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Sighing, I stared at her. “I’m going to blame my bad manners on being in prison for seven years.” My gaze turned to Henry. “Call that teacher for me. I’m tired of broadcasting every thought and feeling to whoever is within receiving distance.”

To my great surprise, Henry laughed. “I’ll make the arrangements and let you know what I get worked out. He enjoys making a bargain. I’ll be careful about what I promise him.”

I nodded over my mug. “Tell me more about yer business venture.”

Henry smiled again. I blinked and pretended not to be affected by the complete change in his face. Conn liked being handsome and he controlled how much, but Henry was stunning when he smiled. Poor Gale probably never stood a chance.

“Once a quarter, Gale and I like to invite special guests for a long weekend. Essentially, they are retreat weekends for magickals who will pay quite handsomely for the reprieve from real life that we give them.”

I chuckled. “Do ya offer them legal or illegal entertainment?”

“Mostly legal,” Gale said with a small smile.

I smiled and laughed a little at her answer. Despite her occasional haughtiness, I genuinely liked Conn’s mother. “So long as we keep them to mostly legal, I’ll be good with yer plans.”

More relaxed now, Henry drank his tea. “You should consider the pay we would get from those weekends to be our salary for taking care of you and whoever else you choose to live in the house. Conn said others were coming.”

I sighed heavily and nodded. “Unfortunately, that is true. The far darrig will be leaving shortly, but I’ve got a female guardian in human form coming sometime soon. She’ll be my responsibility for the next five years. I may let her move into the blue house at some point, but until I’m comfortable I need to keep her close by.”

Henry nodded. “When you trust us more, perhaps you’ll tell us why the ancient ones are so drawn to you.”

I shrugged. “I don’t mind telling ya now. There are a lot of reasons. Rasmus and I met when I saved him. Human scientists had captured him and made him forget what he was. His guardian brethren never got off their neutral asses to do anything to release him.”

“Did they leave him to suffer as some sort of punishment?” Henry asked.

“No, they were waiting to see how bad the situation got. They do shit like that on the regular. Goddess, I didn’t even know what a guardian was back then. I just saw Rasmus being used by my ex-husband and his military people. I felt compelled to help him. It seems like a lifetime ago even though it’s only been a matter of months.”

“So when the ancient one remembered his true self he returned and claimed you as his lover. How romantic,” Gale said with a small, pleased laugh.

I studied my cup and thought about it. “Yes, I suppose that is how it happened. Rasmus and I have gone through a lot since we found each other. As ya probably noticed, Rasmus comes and goes from my life without a thought or care. It’s plain to anyone with eyes that I can’t count on him being here day after day.”

“Does his absence bother you?” Gale asked.

I grunted into my tea mug. “Conn is the only male I’ve ever been able to count on. Well, Conn and my Da—Goddess rest his soul.”

“Well, Henry and I are here for you now,” Gale said briskly, with another smile and a nod. “We will make sure you never lack for creature comforts. It’s the least we can do in exchange for you allowing us to stay. If the ancient one doesn’t return to meet your needs, we’ll help you find another suitable male.”

I grinned at the offer. “If the guardian were that easy to replace, I’d have given up on Rasmus long ago. He has my heart now—the bastard.”

“I can certainly relate to that irritation,” Gale said softly, earning her a withering glance from Henry.

It hurt me not to laugh at their dynamic but I managed to hold it in. I hoped this mega politeness we used with each other wouldn’t become a habit. Laughing at life’s strangeness was my favorite way to de-stress.

I finished my tea and set the mug back on the tray. “Thank you for the tea and the talk. I feel better. Dylan will be staying until we solve the current case that involves him.”

“We have created several sets of guest quarters for your visitors on the second floor. We will also create a common room where you can entertain them up there. This should keep your private quarters free of their energy. When we clean we also clear the spaces of lingering emotions and questions. As a witch, I assume you don’t mind the smell of white sage and palo santo.”

“No. I use them all the time. Where are the two of ya living in the house?”

“We’re still trying out bedroom suites,” Gale said.

I waved a hand. “Don’t just claim a bedroom. Take the whole third floor. All I will ever need is the second floor for guests. I hear there are several rooms and bedrooms in the basement as well. If ya want to set those up for yer paying guests, feel free. They’re nearest to the pool. I’d love a sauna too. An exercise room also would be nice down there if there was space.”

Henry looked at me over his tea mug. “Do you exercise often?”

I shook my head. “Not really, but I’ve always thought it was a good idea. Mostly I train outside. My practice swords can get deadly indoors. Plus, martial arts moves take up a lot of room.”

“Perhaps it would be acceptable to furnish a gym in the house you plan to make your office.”