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“Alright. Don’t let me hold you all up,” he says. “Be safe, and I will see you all soon.”

“Thank you,” I say.

“You’re welcome, Lilith,” he says with a soft smile. Leli touches the surface of the water, and the connection to Mazvyn breaks, causing his face to disappear into the swirling water. When it settles, Leli turns to me.

“Is that enough reassurance for you to trust me?” she asks.

“Yeah,” I say. “I hope you understand that I’m not trying to be a bitch.”

“I know. I would be extremely hesitant too. It took me a few weeks to decide to come here.”

“Is he nice?” I ask. “Mazvyn seems… I don’t know how to word it… He just seems trustworthy.”

“He is the most loyal person I have ever met. If he says something, he means it. It killed him that he couldn’t come here to look for you himself, so he made sure we were all trained. He has been dedicated to this for basically my entire life and has the full support of the country.”

“That’s good to know that so many people were looking out for me, even if no one was able to directly help.”

“Yeah,” she smiles.

“Leli, the first door on the right is where I took your bags. There is a connecting bathroom that should have everything you need. I’ll need both of you to make us a list of the things you need or want, and we will get it,” Kael says. “No matter if it’s magic or personal, put it all on a list.”

“Okay. Thank you for letting me stay here,” she says.

“You’re welcome,” Kael smiles.

“Understand this though… Lilith is my priority. Her safety and her getting to Voradia will always come first. If you harm her or get in the way, we can complete the prophecy without you,” she says with warning in her tone.

“I understand,” Kael says. “We will prove to you that we are trustworthy.”

“Alright,” she chirps. “I’m going to go rest now.”

“I’m going to go study that Book of Shadows,” I say. “Until I pass out at least.”

“We’ll see about that,” Kael chuckles and kisses my temple.

“Have a good night,” I say to Leli when she gets up.

“You too,” she says with a smile before walking down the hallway.

I stand up and stretch while Kael grabs the bowl. “Go up and get ready for bed and read. I’ll be up in a second,” he says, kissing me.

When I get to the bedroom, I steal one of Kael’s shirts and wear it with just underwear. It is massive on me, but it’s comfortable. I prop the book against the pillow and lie on my belly, propped on my elbows, under the covers to flip through the Book of Shadows.

There is so much in here that I don’t recognize, but also plenty that I’ve at least heard of. I am confident I can learn what I need to in the next two weeks. I’m excited to find out what I will be capable of doing. I assume being a high witch would mean I will hold a lot of power, but I am sure I will find out in time.

Kael comes into the room and pulls the covers off of me. “Hi,” I say as I read.

“Hi,” he says sweetly as he runs his hand up my leg and squeezes my inner thigh, making me gasp softly. He drags my underwear down my thighs before pulling them off and tossing them to the floor. Butterflies collect in my belly when he spreads my legs. When he gets onto the bed, he settles between them and I am forced to spread more for him so that I can stay comfortable. Sitting like this completely exposes me to him.

“Kael,” I groan and lay my head down when he squeezes my ass with both of his hands.

“Read to me,” he says as he pushes two fingers into me.

“Fuck,” I moan.

“Come on,” he says as he slowly works my body. “Read to me, little witch.”

I start reading the list of herbs I am looking at. I start to stutter on every word as he begins to quicken his pace slightly. I am jumping all over the page, and I don’t think I’m even making sense as I moan my words. Kael moves to his knees and plants his hands on either side of my body.