This has Tabitha beaming, fluttering closer to his face.
“Wardens you say?” she asks.
“Of course, we need trusted beings taking care of the cottage when Ember isn’t here. Are you up for the task?”
“Certainly. We’re more than capable. We can monitor the place and make sure the flowers are up to Ember’s standards.”
“That would be a huge help,” I tell Tabitha, and her chest puffs out.
“We won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t. I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but I’ll figure out a way for us to communicate long distance. Until then, you’ll keep an eye out?”
“I’ll, I mean, we’ll be the best wardens for your gardens.”
“Thank you, Tabitha,” I tell her, grabbing Warin’s arm as we head to the SUV.
“How did you do that?” I ask him. “The fairies have been nothing but meddlesome and demanding since the day they moved in.”
“I don’t think it hurts that they’re terrified of me. Some beings just need a purpose, a direction,” he says as we slide into the backseat.
“Is that how you felt?”
“For the longest time I wondered why I had this long life, but with you? Forever doesn’t seem long enough,” he says.
I force a smile, and lean in and kiss the corner of his mouth. Neither of us bring up his words, because he has forever and I don’t. He hasn’t outright asked me if I’d be open to becoming a vampire. Maybe he already knows the answer.
Would he be alright with me aging and him always looking young and beautiful? Would I?
His hand kneads my thigh as we drive to his mansion, knowing the role I need to play, and what information we need to find out.
What exactly will it take to get the vampire council off our radar and prevent them from killing Iris’s mate?
The mansion is quiet and I can’t decide if it’s because vampires can be exceptionally quiet, or if it’s because they’re out hunting for a Slayer that they will not find.
Either way, I don’t say shit as we walk through the halls and head to Warin’s room.
The moment the door is open, Gus is scurrying over to me.
“Ember Jeanette Hallow, where in the fuck have you been?”he says, his small hands grabbing my clothes and searching my skin.“I’ve been here worried sick.”I arch an eyebrow as I look at his collection of plates, cups, and the small little nest he’s made himself in the corner.
“Clearly you’ve made yourself sick over it. I’m fine, Gus, I promise.”
“I’m assuming you figured out the vampire is your mate, or whatever?”he asks as he scurries back to his nest on all fours.“If shit is going to get freaky in here, I’m going to need my own room, spelled to ward off all the vampires, of course. They’re fucking weird, Ember.”
I blink at him a few times. “You knew?”
“I mean, I didn’t know. I assumed. But you know what they say about assumptions. Plus, it’s not like you would’ve listened, anyway. You’re hardheaded.”
“I’m not hardheaded. You’re hardheaded,” I snap back.
“I know you are, but what am I?”
“I’m going to strangle you. You knew, and you didn’t at least give me a heads up.”
Gus rolls his eyes, his fist going into a bowl of what look to be hand made pretzels, before he pops one in his mouth and begins crunching away. He doesn’t say anything and I narrow my eyes at him.
“This one sided conversation with your familiar is riveting, but I have to see what the council is up to. We’ll figure out more when I get back. You know where the grimoires are?” Warin asks.
