Even though I’m still a little mad at him and still have no idea what our return trip to Faerie is going to bring, I want them to know.
What can I say?
Impulse control’s still not my strong suit, but once I commit, I commit. For better or worse.
Finn’s eyes widen and bounce almost comically fast back and forth between us.
“Congratulations!” he says when he finally picks his jaw up off the floor. “When did… when did this happen?Wheredid it happen? I wasn’t aware there were any new witches arrived at court.”
“Recently,” Callum said. “And we met… elsewhere.”
I arch a brow. “That’s one way to put it.”
“How would you put it?” Finn asks, a devilish smile on his lips.
“He chased me through a forest in the Middle.”
Callum huffs a breath. “And then you paralyzed me with your witchmagick.”
“Oh, right, because you did nothing to deserve that.”
His tail winds around my waist and pulls me closer to him. “Aye, I did a thing or two to deserve it.”
Something dangerously near my heart twists painfully at the tenderness in his voice. Finn’s gaze grows more curious, speculative, studying both of us for a few heartbeats before he recovers.
“I’m hosting a small get-together tonight,” Finn says, clapping his hands together. “And you’re both invited.”
Callum gives me a look, one I immediately recognize as a set of silent questions.
Am I too tired? Do I want to find a bed somewhere instead of socializing? What can he do to make it better?
More tenderness, aching at the center of me. More affection for this wonderful, frustrating demon.
“We’ve had a long day,” Callum says slowly. “We should probably find somewhere to—”
“We’d love to come.”
Finn’s grin widens in delight. “Oh, I’m going to like you, aren’t I?”
“It’s impossible not to,” Callum grumbles, but Finn is already leading us down one of the corridors branching off the atrium.
I take Callum’s hand in mine as we follow. “How many times do I get to go to a party in the demon realm?”
“I’ll take you to as many parties as you want. Preferably when we’re not both dead on our feet.”
“No,” Finn says cheerfully. “He won’t. Callum is notoriously difficult to persuade to have any fun at all.”
“Color me surprised,” I murmur, and Callum grumbles again.
“Some of us have more important responsibilities to attend to.”
“Ah yes,” Finn teases, taking a left turn down another well-lit hall, torches guiding our way past a series of large wooden doors set into the stone. “Hunting down thieves and criminals across the realms.”
“Exactly,” Callum retorts. “While you’re here doing… what exactly?”
Finn just laughs, unbothered. “Having the time of my life on my father’s money?”
“Sounds about right.”
