His grin was a rare and stunning sight. I stared, and part of me wished Shane was here to share it.
“Do you prefer I just use your name? I don’t mean to be insulting or demeaning.”
I shook my head, grinning back. “I know. It’s kind of nice that you have something special to call us. And I know that using fledgling for Shane was to wind him up, but I think you both like it now.”
“To answer your question, I don’t know why I use them, other than it seems right to have an endearment when it comes to you and Shane. Something that no one else uses and that’s just for us.”
My cheeks warmed, and I cleared my throat. “Well, I like it.”
I couldn’t see it, but I could feel his smirk. “You do?”
“Yes. It makes me feel…special, I guess.” I coughed and avoided looking at his face. Did that make me weak? To enjoy a pet name from someone like him? Perhaps others would consider it degrading, but I didn’t. I actually loved it.
There was a beat of silence. “I’m not sure Shane feels the same way.”
Outside, it was warm, and the open windows let in a cool breeze that stole away my quiet chuckle. “He does. You know it, too. That’s why he doesn’t fight you on it anymore.”
“Do I?”
I side-eyed him, and the quirk of his lips gave him away.
“Of course you do. You’re as old as the damned hills, you know exactly how to manipulate people and their emotions.”
A firm tug on my hand stopped our progress to Dundean’s library. Bal turned so that I could see his expression. My heart did a little jump. He actually looked uncomfortable.
“I didn’t… I don’t…I’m not manipulating your…”
My hand found its way to his smooth cheek. “It’s okay, Bal. We both understand who you are. And neither of us thinks thatthis…” I gestured between us, “...is a forever thing for you. We don’t expect declarations of love or wedding bells.”
He gave a snort. “Wedding bells are definitely not something you should associate with me, that’s true.” He stepped closer and cupped my face, winding his other arm around my waist. “The love part, though? That’s not a problem. I love both of you.”
Elation filled me, and happiness stretched my lips into a wide smile, but just as quickly, that elation faded. My head tilted as I looked at the sorrow deep in his eyes. His declaration meant nothing. Falling apart wasn’t an option, not when I could almost feel the heaviness that leaked into the air. “Eventually, that won’t be enough. Will it?” Coldness invaded my chest even though Shane and I had already guessed as much.
His broad shoulders rose and fell under the weight of his bespoke suit jacket. Remorse was plain on his face as he pulled me close and kissed my forehead. “No, little witch. Eventually, it might not be. My world isn’t roses, wedding bells, or promises of forever. It’s often battles, blood, and betrayal.”
I wound my arms around his waist and lay my cheek against his chest. The warmth and steady beat of his heart was soothing, even when his words were enough to lance my own. “I know. So does Shane. Just…please don’t break his heart. Or mine.”
His arms tightened, his voice low and full of regret. “I can’t promise you that. I’m sorry. All I can do is love you both for as long as possible.”
I nodded, forcing back the burn of tears. “Thank you for not lying.”
We stood like that, wrapped up in each other for a while, until he pulled back. As disappointed as I was at the distance, I silently took the hand he held out, and we walked to the library. I pushed open the heavy, old oak door.
“Hey!” said Shane, a huge smile on his face, his eyes lighting up as he saw us. He stood and tapped the pages of a large bookthat rested on the polished mahogany desk before him. My heart missed a beat. He was so handsome, especially when he looked excited and happy.
“Look at this. Did you know that witches used to have covens like vampires and mages?”
“Used to?” I asked.
“Yeah, there was some kind of war with the mages hundreds of years ago, and they scattered.”
“Because they lost?” That would explain why I’d never come across any other than Minerva.
Bal frowned. “I don’t think there was a clear winner, from what I remember. The covens that are rumoured to exist are just that, a rumour. The witches went very quiet, and those who survived kept to themselves. After the war, most hid amongst the human population. Mages aren’t obvious, either. They are cowards who tend to interfere from afar in supernatural disagreements. They think they have the power to influence the outcome of wars from the shadows.”
I absorbed that, wondering about the mages that had supposedly saved me before they’d been killed. Well, two out of the three were dead, but maybe it would be possible to hunt down the other one. Not for me, but I could maybe ask the vampire at my side… Then it occurred to me that not all witches were hidden.
“What about that witch you have sitting at your feet every night?” Shane’s words were sharp with jealousy as he voiced the very same question I had in my head.
