“I know,” I said. “But I wanted to make sure that registered with you as a priority.”
“Of course.” Considine rested his chin on top of my head. “I take good care of my minions—especially when they prove themselves as valuable as Orrin has.”
Orrin bowed his head. “I am flattered.”
“I’m breaking this love fest up because I’m tired, and my precious jewel is tired, too,” Sunshine announced. “Does that mean we’re all free to go?”
“Yes.” Sarge slowly pushed himself to his feet. “The night shift task force is getting two shifts off, so Sunshine I don’t want to see you tomorrow either.”
“Yessir!” Sunshine hopped off her stool and saluted Sarge.
I found it hard to rally the desire to stand—I finally had Considine back, the Telliers and Gisila were taken care of, and I could see my brothers arguing with a few of the Klein slayers from where we were sitting.
I was content.
Considine kissed my temple again, and I was very aware of his arms wrapped around me.
His closeness is a delightful bonus.
“Ready to head home for a bit, Jade?” Considine asked. He rose to his feet, holding me bridal style and keeping his balance the entire time.
A little envious of how little effort the feat of strength took him, I looped my arms around his neck. “Yeah. But I thought we were having breakfast with my family at Queen’s Court.”
“That plan was made before you and I busted an oracle out of a wizard House. We canceled breakfast, but will still be meeting for lunch,” Considine said. “I’ll text them the details while you sleep.”
My eyelids felt like a thousand pounds as I struggled to stay awake. “You aren’t going to sleep?”
“Nope. I’m not letting you out of my sight,” Considine paused, giving away that the cheerfulness of his words was a thin veneer. “That is…if you don’t mind?”
“We can go to your apartment,” I said. “You have a better couch to crash on, and pillows with proper neck support.”
Considine chuckled, his shoulders once again relaxing. “Whatever you want. I just need you near me.”
“Doyou think Orrin would prefer white or beige sheets?” I sat in a spot of mellow afternoon sunlight, lounging on Considine’s comfy couch as I appeared to be considering his spare sets of sheets.
We were three days into our vacation—my family had left Magiford the previous night.
The past few days had been a whirlwind of social activities between meeting up with my family, visiting the Dracos out at Drake Hall, making another batch of chocolate chip cookies for my neighbors, going to Club Luminary with His Eminence Killian Drake and Adept Hazel Medeis, and earlier this morning Mr. Weston and Mrs. Weston had us over for brunch and taught us how to play the card game spoons.
The entire time I’d been trying like crazy to tell Considine that I loved him, but…no one would leave us alone!
During my first bumbling attempt my brothers had walked into the room, correctly guessed what I was about to say, and started pantomiming gagging. The second time Killian Drake stumbled upon us and promptly informed his Second Knight that this moment should be commemorated in a scrapbook. I refused to think what happened at my third attempt—Mr. Weston was probably never going to recover, either.
This conversation was actually the first time we were without company since our vacation had started. Considine thought we were tackling his spare bedroom to clean it out for Orrin—not that there was much to do besides select linens and towels and get Considine a good stock of tea.
I, however, was trying to muster the words that kept escaping my mind whenever I tried to tell him I loved him.
Considine rested his forearms on the back of his couch and leaned over it, drawing close to me to leave a lingering kiss on my cheek. “I don’t think Orrin is going to care either way. He’s going to be fussier about the tea snacks in the cupboard.”
Far more aware of his presence than any thoughts in my brain, I mumbled in a daze. “That sounds more likely.” I blindly reached for the sheet sets and picked one at random. “Then we’ll go with… the beige sheets, I guess.”
Now. I need to tell him!
I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
For crying out loud. If I can just shout “LOVE!”he’ll figure it out, and he won’t care if I’m awkward.Just. Say. It!
I put the sheets aside, and nervously clutched the checklist I’d made alone in my apartment last night of the things we needed to do to prepare for Orrin. I stared at it without seeing it—all my mental abilities were focused on trying to speak.
