Page 70 of Taming His Vampire Mate

“No, you should come as well,” Simone said to him flatly. “Thierry may need you if Poppy’s spell doesn’t work.”

She let that hang, and Jeremy went tense beside me. I didn’t have to look to know the barest hint he might be needed foremotional support would galvanize him—let alone being told outright.

“I hate everything,” I muttered, brushing past Simone and leading the way out without looking back.

Though I didn’t want to admit it, even to myself, I felt relieved that Jeremy was coming. We were about to see if Poppy’s spell was a true solution. We were about to repeat the experiment that my foreseeable future—and perhaps even my eternity—hinged on.

And if it failed… if Poppy’s spell worked on me but no one else—what then?

I hadn’t let myself consider that. But now Simone had dumped it in my lap, I was grateful she’d told him to come.

Even though it was the most dangerous thing of all, it didn’t make it less true: with Jeremy beside me, for the first time in centuries, I didn’t feel quite so alone.

CHAPTER TWENTY || JEREMY

“Just so you’re aware, I’m not angry,” the red-headed witch said to Thierry the moment we stepped into the room. Her vibrant green eyes narrowed. “I’m pissed off.”

“How nice for you,” Thierry said immediately, voice clipped, his defenses going up. “Though I’m fairly certain I didn’t ask.”

“You let me think the spell failed.”

The white-haired warlock with eerie purple eyes stood beside her. He exchanged a look with her before turning back to Thierry. “Poppy’s right—that wasn’t cool. You should have told us.”

“I wasted an entire month!” Poppy’s fury rolled off her in waves. “Perfecting a spell that was already perfect.”

“Poppy—”

“No.” She drew in a long breath, let it out slowly. I was pretty sure she was counting back from ten. Power gathered around her in a crackling halo, even though she hadn’t started casting. When she’d cooled from rage to mere anger, she fixed my mate with an accusatory look. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

“He needed time,” I cut in, stepping between them. I didn’t like that rising hum of power, like static-charged air about to become lightning. And if she was going to hit one of us, it was going to be me, not him. “We both did.”

Her expression flickered from anger to sheer incredulity. “Well, now. The universe has an odd sense of humor, doesn’t it?”

I raised a brow. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Poppy snorted. “I don’t know if you missed the memo, but the last person in the world who needs protecting—ever—is Thierry.”

My mate was ice and steel wrapped in crushed velvet, but beneath that… there was a deep wound at his core, outrageously vulnerable. Whatever it was, it had never healed right.

She was dead wrong. Thierry had to be protected at all costs. Poppy didn’t know him at all.

My vampire gave me a meaningful look, his mental voice brushing mine.If you can hear this, wolf, stop talking. Poppy is correct: I can defend myself. I’ve done it long before you, and I’ll do it long after you too. Besides, she has a right to be angry. I was selfish in how I handled this.

I scowled, but he was right—Thierry wasn’t some delicate flower. He didn’t need me to fight this battle. What he needed was backup. So that’s what I’d give him.

I gave him a sharp nod and stepped back, no longer shielding him.

Thierry’s brows drew together, eyes darkening with suspicion. As if I had surprised him. He had no idea that a wolf will do just about anything for their mate.

He’d learn soon enough.

“Your spell works,” Thierry said icily. “I apologize if I led you to believe otherwise.”

“If.” She snorted again, but the last of her anger seemed to bleed away at his words. “An apology from Thierry. Maybe having a mate has softened those sharp edges.”

Thierry’s smile turned saccharine. “Don’t count on it.”

“Who are you people?” Quinn demanded, his words wobbling.