“So you’re like my boyfriend now?”
I stand. “You can call me whatever you damn well want, and I will come running.”
“I like the sound of that—you at my beck and call.”
“I’ve always been at your beck and call, you little fiend,” I growl, kissing her nose.
“Mmmm. Save the name-calling for later.” She reaches around to pat me on the ass and turns toward the door. Icatch her by the arm, tugging her back into a slow, lingering kiss. When I open my eyes, hers are still closed.
“Now you can go.” I guide her forward, proud of the dazzled look I’ve left on her face.
“If you’re goingto sit there gawking at each other, at least make good use of your hands,” the Matron chides. Serena and I look away from each other, blushing.
You heard her,I say. Stop eye-fucking me.
A loud laugh bursts from her lips. She claps a hand over her mouth, and I chuckle, shaking my head.
“Sorry. Umm. What is all this?” she asks, sifting through the contents strewn across the floor of the Matron’s cottage. Outside the window, the Blueblood witches are carrying woven baskets and bouquets of flowers toward the clearing.
“Preparations for the blood moon,” Mar explains, weaving together a string of colorful garland.
“Tonight is a good night for magic. When the moon is eclipsed, magic is at its peak, and the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. We give thanks to the gods tonight. We replenish our land, our magic. We light fires and dance—tell stories.”
“It’s my favorite tradition.” Mar smiles at her grandmother.
“How can we help?” I ask.
“You fine young males can help with the firewood.” She points toward the door.
Serena glances up. “I think Zadyn should be taking it easy.”
“Nonsense,” the Matron scoffs. “If he was good enough to do whatever it was the two of you were doing this morning, then he can sure as hell handle carrying a log or two. I’m certain it’s far less rigorous.”
Serena turns bright red. The same shade my face probably is right now. But I’m not embarrassed by it. I’m actually fighting a smirk. Dover and Kai snicker, exchanging a knowing look. I stand, laying a hand over my heart.
“I would bethrilledto help carry the firewood,” I say, hitting the Matron with as much innocent charm as I can muster. She gives me a sly look and nods toward the door as if to say,beat it.
“Iknow what they were doing,” Kai mutters to Dover as they step outside. “It involves a beast and two backs.”
“Kai!” Serena screeches. I toss her a wink before following after them.
92
SERENA
4 DAYS
“Does everyone in this damn camp know?” I hiss as Marideth and I carry our baskets down the path.
I’ve had at least five Bluebloods eye me up with thatI Know What You Did Last Summerlook—or in our case this morning—as we passed them on the trail.
“Do you want the truth?”
“God, no. I want the sugar-coated candy lie.”
Mar slides me a look. “Your scents have mingled.”
“That’s the lie?”
