“Hilarious,” he deadpanned. “And you thought it was a good idea to add it to a purification elixir.”
“What? I just thought whoever had to be purified would appreciate a little fun afterwards.” Zane threw his hands up in the air. “You’re welcome, by the way.Andwe recorded it to show Seri later.”
My eyes widened as Casimir’s expression shifted from irritation to something much more dangerous. Quick as a cat, he stood and lunged toward what I’d thought was an umbrella rack in the corner and, to my astonishment, pulled out a gleaming sword. An actual sword, the edge sharp and everything.
I froze, my breath catching in my throat.
“Simmy! Don’t hurt my Zoodle!”
Zane was already on his feet, his grin turning slightly panicked.
“You’redead, firecrotch!” Casimir bellowed, his roar making Brummy lift his head in alarm.
Zane’s eyes bulged comically before he spun on his heel and bolted from the library with impressive speed, Casimir’s long blond hair streaming behind him as he gave chase.
For a moment, I just sat there, staring at the empty doorway, my heart racing. Then, I burst out laughing and soon was doubled over, clutching my sides as tears streamed down my cheeks. Beside me, Koa’s deep, warm laughter mingled with mine, and we laughed until tears streamed down our faces.
“Should we go save Zoodle?” I managed between gasps, but I wasn’t sure I could even stand at this point.
“Why bother?” Koa leaned back against the sofa, looking utterly unconcerned as he gathered me against his side. “He’s like a fungus. He just keeps growing back.”
That sent me into another fit of laughter, so hard that Brummy perked up and let out a happy yip. His tail thumped against the floor,and I reached down to ruffle his ears, still giggling. Koa watched us both with an expression I was still getting used to, then he also reached down to scratch under the wolf’s chin.
“We have a big surprise for you today, Brummy.”
“What kind of surprise, Koko?” I asked, wiping tears away.
“A B-A-T-H,” he spelled out with a little smile.
Brumous’ reaction was instantaneous. His blue eyes widened and, before I could blink, he scrambled away, his claws skittering frantically against the marble flooring as he ran from the library.
“How does he even know what that is?” I stared at the empty doorway. “He’s never had one before, and hedefinitelydoesn’t know how to spell!”
“Something tells me a certain redhead did a brain fusion and requested furry back up,” Koa chuckled, and I dissolved into giggles all over again.
8. Lit With Wonder
Koa
Twenty minutes later, Cas and Zane were back in the library. Zane’s “I Pooped Today!” shirt was torn at the neck, and Cas’ braid had lost its band somewhere along the way. As Zane sprawled beside her, Seri excitedly motioned for Cas to sit on the floor in front of her. For a moment, I thought he’d refuse, but one resigned sigh later found him folded up cross-legged on Persian wool.
“Koko, can you see if there’s a rubber band in that desk?” she asked with shining eyes and pink cheeks as she gathered Cas’ waist-length hair into her eager hands.
“Rubber bands create friction against the hair shaft, which can damage the cuticle layer and lead to split ends—”
“I have something better,” I ruthlessly cut off Casimir’s panicked rambling.
Slipping a velvet band from my wrist, I shot it at her, and she caught it with a grin, then began finger-combing his long blond locks.
I wasandwasn’t surprised he was allowing this. Was because, for someone so unsentimental and practical, he was quite vain about hishair. Wasn’t because he, like Z and I, would put up with much, much worse to make her smile.
As our beloved happily braided away, I turned back to my laptop and found the folder I wanted.
“Remember how we were dancing two nights ago?” I began, watching her face carefully. “It was new moon, and the alarm wards tripped while Zane was crushing your toes?”
“I remember.” She grinned as she tied the end of Cas’ braid with the velvet band. “And he was dancing beautifully, not crushing my toes!”
“It was your stepsisters.”
