Page 35 of The Fang Arrangement (Celestial Witches #2)
E xhaustion doesn’t begin to cover it. Somehow I’m able to walk straight as the sun finally sets and I watch Warin put his clothes back on.
His body is a work of art. His tongue is the eighth wonder of the world. All I want to do is drag him back into bed and continue to act like the rest of the world doesn’t exist.
“Are you sure we have to leave?” I complain, and maybe I tug on the string at the bodice of my dress.
He tugs on his belt, hooking it on the latch and all I can do is look at his deft fingers, which are probably the ninth wonder of the world.
All these fantasies I’d unknowingly had about him over the last decade didn’t do him justice.
He leans over the bed, grabbing the strings and tying it into a bow.
“Such a tempting little present. I’d prefer to keep you naked and wet all night long, but we have things to do, don’t we?”
I grumble, but nod. He’s right. We have a lot that we need to figure out. He grabs my left hand and kisses the ring on my finger.
“Remember that how I act in front of the council is just that, an act,” he reminds me.
“Right,” I say, grabbing his belt and tugging him close. “I’m your little obedient pet, aren’t I?”
He shivers, grabbing my wrists and pulling my hands away.
“You’re insatiable.”
“You love it,” I joke.
“I do,” he replies, but his tone is more serious as he leans down and presses a kiss to my hair. “Now, let’s get to work on getting these vampires out of my goddamn house, yeah?”
“Ugh. Fine.”
He smiles as he holds a hand out for me, and we’re out the front door. Achille has the SUV parked out front waiting for us.
But suddenly all the fairies that live in my garden congregated out front.
“Are they going to attack?” Warin jests and I elbow him in the stomach. He doesn’t even flinch.
“What’s this about?” I question them, and Tabitha takes center stage.
I wouldn’t call her their queen, perhaps their unspoken leader, because she always has so much to say.
She takes a deep breath, her hands on her hips. “We’d like to…well, we’d like to say…um, yeah.”
“What she’s trying to say is that we’re sorry and that we would like to formally meet your mate,” Domingo interrupts.
“What he said,” Tabitha adds in. “As long as he doesn’t make any more jokes about popping off our heads and drinking all of our blood.”
“It was a joke. Drinking your blood would be too tedious,” Warin says.
“Warin,” I snap and take a deep breath. “I appreciate your apology. I take it that means you and the other fairies plan on staying here?”
“If you’ll still have us,” Domingo says.
“No more being rude to Ember,” Warin says sternly. “And there’s a chance that she won’t be here as often, so that would make you all the wardens of the cottage.”
This has Tabitha beaming, fluttering closer to his face.
“Wardens you say?” she asks.
“Of course, we need trusted beings taking care of the cottage when Ember isn’t here. Are you up for the task?”
“Certainly. We’re more than capable. We can monitor the place and make sure the flowers are up to Ember’s standards.”
“That would be a huge help,” I tell Tabitha, and her chest puffs out.
“We won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t. I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but I’ll figure out a way for us to communicate long distance. Until then, you’ll keep an eye out?”
“I’ll, I mean, we’ll be the best wardens for your gardens.”
“Thank you, Tabitha,” I tell her, grabbing Warin’s arm as we head to the SUV.
“How did you do that?” I ask him. “The fairies have been nothing but meddlesome and demanding since the day they moved in.”
“I don’t think it hurts that they’re terrified of me. Some beings just need a purpose, a direction,” he says as we slide into the backseat.
“Is that how you felt?”
“For the longest time I wondered why I had this long life, but with you? Forever doesn’t seem long enough,” he says.
I force a smile, and lean in and kiss the corner of his mouth. Neither of us bring up his words, because he has forever and I don’t. He hasn’t outright asked me if I’d be open to becoming a vampire. Maybe he already knows the answer.
Would he be alright with me aging and him always looking young and beautiful? Would I?
His hand kneads my thigh as we drive to his mansion, knowing the role I need to play, and what information we need to find out.
What exactly will it take to get the vampire council off our radar and prevent them from killing Iris’s mate?
The mansion is quiet and I can’t decide if it’s because vampires can be exceptionally quiet, or if it’s because they’re out hunting for a Slayer that they will not find.
Either way, I don’t say shit as we walk through the halls and head to Warin’s room.
The moment the door is open, Gus is scurrying over to me.
“Ember Jeanette Hallow, where in the fuck have you been?” he says, his small hands grabbing my clothes and searching my skin. “I’ve been here worried sick.” I arch an eyebrow as I look at his collection of plates, cups, and the small little nest he’s made himself in the corner.
“Clearly you’ve made yourself sick over it. I’m fine, Gus, I promise.”
“I’m assuming you figured out the vampire is your mate, or whatever?” he asks as he scurries back to his nest on all fours. “If shit is going to get freaky in here, I’m going to need my own room, spelled to ward off all the vampires, of course. They’re fucking weird, Ember.”
I blink at him a few times. “You knew?”
“I mean, I didn’t know. I assumed. But you know what they say about assumptions. Plus, it’s not like you would’ve listened, anyway. You’re hardheaded.”
“I’m not hardheaded. You’re hardheaded,” I snap back.
“I know you are, but what am I?”
“I’m going to strangle you. You knew, and you didn’t at least give me a heads up.”
Gus rolls his eyes, his fist going into a bowl of what look to be hand made pretzels, before he pops one in his mouth and begins crunching away. He doesn’t say anything and I narrow my eyes at him.
“This one sided conversation with your familiar is riveting, but I have to see what the council is up to. We’ll figure out more when I get back. You know where the grimoires are?” Warin asks.
“I do,” I say, and Warin leans down and places a soft kiss against my lips.
“Yeah. My own sound proofed, vampire-free room stat. I might throw up.”
“Shut up, Gus,” I hiss at him.
“Keep her safe for me,” Warin says with a wink to Gus, who is now puffing out his chest.
“Oh, real smooth. You had the fairies and Gus convinced you were going to drain them dry, and now they’re all seeking your approval like lost puppies.”
“He knows talent when he sees it. Now, what do we need the grimoires for?” Gus asks.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Warin assures again, giving me a smirk, before zooming out of the room.
I sigh, plopping down on Warin’s bed. I’m still exhausted, but there’s so much that needs to be done.
“We need to figure out what it will take to get the vampires out of town, how to make sure the Slayer and Warin don’t kill each other. Oh, and there’s the whole thing where Warin will live forever and I won’t,” I pout about that last part, because it’s something that I’ve been keeping to myself.
Gus leaves his nest, a trail of crumbs following him on the floor as he hefts himself up on the bed and cradles himself against my arm.
Little shit definitely missed cuddling.
“I don’t know how to solve your first two problems. But I might have an idea for the one that seems to weigh on you heaviest.”
I glance down at Gus, and tilt my head.
“Me turning into a vampire is not an option.”
Gus snorts, like he’s disgusted by the thought. “Of course, it’s not an option. Disgusting. The only reason I’m okay with your vampire is because of the quality of life he can provide me, plus you, like, care for him or whatever.”
“What’s your idea then?”
“I don’t want to get your hopes up, but I’ll reach out to some of my contacts.”
“Are there a network of raccoon familiars who share information?” I joke, and Gus nips my arm. “Ouch, Gus.”
“Do you want my help or not, witch?” he asks.
“I want it,” I say, squeezing him harder. My body betrays me, too exhausted from my long night/day of activities with Warin, and I can’t help it when I drift off to sleep with Gus in my arms.