It wasn’t like he loved her. He didn’t take his words back, and it was proof enough he didn’t want or need her.
She fired off a reply, telling Kimmie she’d meet her at the bar later that evening, after her shift. It was time to start enjoying this newfound freedom.
Chapter 34
Fin
Forthepastfewweeks, Fin had spent nearly every waking hour watching Lorenzo. Through his magic, he’d been able to keep tabs on the vile wanker. Yesterday, it was clear Fin would need to intervene when the man’s location headed south.
He closed his eyes and focused on the spell. Yes, Lorenzo traveled closer to Sacha.
I should just kill him right now and be done with this nonsense.
But he had no proof of Lorenzo’s motives, even though his gut told him the disgusting man posed a danger to Sacha.
Anger bubbled in his blood at the thought of the creep getting anywhere near his Princess.
No, she’s not mine anymore—she doesn’t belong to anyone, and that’s a good thing.
Sighing, he tramped down the staircase to find Margaret.
A small fire crackled in the hearth, and the sweet smell of a peach pie baking in the oven filled the dining room.
“It smells divine in here.” Fin strolled past the roaring fireplace.
Sitting at the kitchen table, her gray form huddled over a long, skinny black piece of cloth with knitting needles. At the sound of his voice, she glanced in his direction.
“Well, hello, you old sourpuss.” Knobby fingers, still quite dexterous, worked the spool of woolen yarn. “Thought this place could use a little sweetening with your peevish backside moping about.” An eyebrow arched. “What’s got you up and out of that dungeon of a study?”
“I do notmope.I pontificate, extrapolate—”
“Shut it already.” Her free needle aimed toward his face. “You can call it whatever fancy term you’d like, but it still boils down to moping. Now, if you want a slice of your favorite pie, you’ll spare me the lecture and answer my question.”
“I’m not fourteen any longer—”
She cleared her throat and gave him a cold gray stare.
“Fine.” He threw himself into a chair. “Lorenzo Lombardi brings me out of my study.”
“Oh, I see.” Her mouth twisted like she’d tasted something horrible.
“I’ve tried so hard to not interfere with Sacha’s new life. The temptation to look in on her through a scrying spell or write again is almost too much.” His fingers twisted the ring. “Twice now, I’ve had to fight the urge to teleport to her address and beg her forgiveness. What I said that day, about not wanting or needing her, eats at my soul every single minute.” He scrubbed day-old stubble with his palms. “Hell, I even thought aboutcallingher.” A visible shudder shook his head and neck.
“Oh, Gods, yes, wouldn’t that be aterriblething.” She clucked her tongue, and the wooden knitting needles clacked against one another with the movement of her hands. “Finley Marin using a telephone.” A dark chuckle slipped out.
Her laughter made him bite his lip. “But I’ve fought the impulses.” He palmed a fuzzy peach from a fruit bowl sitting in the middle of the wooden table. “Now, Lorenzo’s questionable motives are going to force me to teleport to her place because I don’t trust him. Wish I could appear in an unknown location, but the odds of mucking up the spell are too great. Her address gives me a focal point, so I’ll have to lie in wait for the arsehole.”
He bit into the peach and chewed, savoring its sweet juice and tender flesh.
Her steely orbs studied his face. “Oh, what is this I hear? You’re going to actually engage in this world?”
Tossing the rest of the fruit into the fireplace, he rolled his eyes.
The flames hissed and popped while they devoured the juicy peach.
“Yes, unfortunately.” A deep frown tugged at his face.
“Make some new clothes, then.” Her index finger pointed at the dark robe. “You can’t walk around in that old, ugly thing.”
