“Just making sure.” My phone already had six missed calls and a stream of messages. Steeling myself, I held the phone a little ways away from my ear and answered.
“Bitch, are you dead?” Kira screamed.
After convincing my friends that I was alive and well, I finally tossed the phone on the bedside table and snuggled back into Hemlock’s various arms.
Kissing my shoulder, he settled me between the vampire and demon. Arms came around my waist, dragging me deeper into his embrace. Warm breath fanned against my neck in a cadence so soothing I nearly drifted off into sleep. “Should I expect an army storming my town upon the morn as your friends come to rescue you, or do I have more time to enjoy you before siege preparations must be made?”
“Rest for now. Though it won’t be long before they show up for a visit once I send pictures. You made a cute little spot here.”
“So you’ll stay, then? I can shape this town into anything you like. Build houses more grand than you’ve ever seen, and worship your body every night.” He took hold of my face,peppering it with soft kisses. “All I ask in return is that you stay. Save me from the loneliness of eons and share your warmth with me.”
My chest ached at his words. Despite being a hopeless romantic, I’d never been the type of woman men fall over themselves for. Every long-lasting relationship I’d been in only added to the belief that the type of love you’d see in those fairy-tale romantic movies was just that. A fairy tale. With Mark, I’d even tried pushing myself to get interested in his hobbies and gave him more grace than any romantic partner should need, and still, I was always treated as an afterthought. Yet this demon, or god, or whatever Hemlock was, was ready to give me the world for nothing but my company in return.
“Does someone need a reason to want you?”
His earlier question had me reeling. A small, insecure part of me wanted to say yes. I needed some kind of proof that this sudden heartwarming devotion was a prize I had toearnso it couldn’t be taken away.
Yet when I looked into his eyes, there was only sincerity there. Causing a new thought to override the diffidence. Maybe, just maybe, some wishes really did come true.
I cradled his face and kissed him. “Honestly, you had me at free real estate.”
Hemlock barked out a laugh, and it might have been the purest emotion I’d seen yet. When it faded, my chest squeezed at the loss, and I made a vow there and then to do whatever was needed to bring it back. Anything to keep him happy and smiling.
I was his Priestess after all.
