“Any way I answer that is likely to piss you off, so I’ll keep my silence in this matter.”
She gave me a look. “Good idea.”
She strolled into the bathroom and I forced my body to cool down. Immediately, my mind went to my plans. To death and betrayal and horror.
When Danica was nearby, I wasn’t thinking about Lucifer’s head on a spike. I wasn’t mentally swearing to my father, my mother, my sister, that they would have their vengeance.
No, with my little witch I was strangely… content. I laughed, I teased, and I loved.
I had thought the worst possible outcome in my life would be never retaking my throne. Now I knew the truth. The worst would be watching my little witch die. Never hearing her laugh, never marveling at her smart mouth. Never seeing her smirk, her joyous smile, or her wide grin.
“Hey.” Danica appeared in the doorway, wrapped in a towel. “Are you okay?”
With our new intimacy, our bond had grown stronger. She was feeling more of my emotions, which meant she was aware of the sick terror that clenched my chest.
I fought it back as she made her way over to the bed.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
I threw the sheets off and stood. “No. Just… be careful today.”
“I’m always careful.”
I gave her a look and she smiled. “I’ll be fine.”
I lowered my head, taking her mouth. I was sure she felt my desperation, my fear, but she parted her lips, taking everything I had to give.
She wrapped her arms around me, and I pulled away, burying my face in her neck. Her hair was damp and smelled like the lightly floral shampoo she used. If she knew how much the scent comforted the ancient demon she slept next to, she would likely laugh.
My lips curved, and I forced myself to release her.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Danica worried her lower lip with her white teeth and my gaze caught on her mouth. “I can text Kyla if you need me to stay for a while.”
“I’m fine. Now put some clothes on before I convince you to get back into bed.”
She grinned at me, let her gaze drop to my chest and lower. “You probablycouldconvince me,” she mused.
I reached for her and she danced away with a giggle that made my chest clench.
“Harpy.”
She laughed some more as she pulled on her clothes. I found a pair of slacks and my lips twitched.
“I can feel when a woman is staring at my ass.”
“I bet you can,” she said darkly. “Just remember, I walk around heavily armed.”
A surprised laugh left my throat. The possessiveness was… unexpected, but welcome.
“Laters,” Danica called as she strolled out of my bedroom.
I wandered into my living room to watch her leave and frowned as I walked past the closet that held my safe.
The wards had recently been disturbed. I swung the safe open and lifted my eyebrow.
One of the grimoires was gone. Gloria knew the rules. The black books were only to be used with my permission, and were to be immediately returned.
The witch was becoming far too bold. I had allowed her too much slack, and she was forgetting who held her leash.
