Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 125179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 501(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 501(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“I wouldn’t say we argued. She was her usual snarky self, and I called her on it.” Wynter briefly elaborated and then added, “Maybe she’ll take my advice.”
“I highly doubt it.”
“I can see that you’d like to give her a bucketload of shit for what she said—”
“If you’re going to ask me to let it lie, don’t bother. You’re my consort. She was rude to you. She knows better. I wouldn’t tolerate it from others, and I certainly won’t tolerate it from her.” Cain nipped her lip, as if to punctuate his point.
“If you subjected her to a punishment, it wouldn’t wash down well with Noah and Eve. You can’t afford to alienate all three Aeons right now. You need them on side. My suggestion? Just give her a verbal warning like you initially did with Ishtar. If Rima repeats her actions, well, no one can then say she didn’t have it coming—not even her own twin. Come on, you know I’m right on this.”
Cain sighed. “I do. I just don’t like it.”
Wynter snorted. “I can see that.” She drifted her fingers through his hair. “Now how about we drop annoying topics?”
“Works for me. I’d much rather discuss what items you’re taking to the Keep today.” He glanced around the room. “One of the reasons I came to escort you there is it occurred to me that you might need help moving more of your things.”
She narrowed her eyes, very aware that he’d come here to ensure she transferred more of her belongings to his home. “Oh, how very thoughtful of you,” she said, her voice dry.
His lips curved. “I’d say so.”
She hmphed. “I’ve already boxed up my crystals to take with me. I have no idea where I’ll put them, though. They won’t really fit in with the style of your chamber.”
Skating one hand up her back, he brushed his mouth over hers. “They fit with you. And you fit with me.”
Warmth bloomed in her chest. He might not be whatsoever romantic, but he could say the sweetest stuff—not to melt her, but because it was pure truth and he wanted to give it to her. She loved that.
His gaze slid to the side as something caught his attention. “What’s this?”
Tracking his gaze, she replied, “An ancestor altar. Most witches create one around this time of year to honor those they loved and lost.”
He crossed to the altar and studied it carefully, taking in each item.
Sidling up to him, she pointed at the newly framed drawings. “I don’t have any photos of any of the people I lost, so I drew some pictures. They’re not very good, but they’re better than nothing. This is my mom, Davina. That’s my grandmother, Agnes. And you met Rafe. He was like an uncle to me.” The male witch had been sent by the Aeons to convince her to return, and the cruel bastards had later killed him when he went home without her.
Cain cut his gaze back to her. “Tell me about Davina and Agnes,” he softly urged.
She blinked, surprised. “Why?”
His brow furrowed. “Why not?”
“I don’t mind talking about them. It’s just that, well, you rarely ask about my life before I came here unless it’s to discuss the Aeons.”
Turning to fully face her, he skimmed his hand up her arm. “Only because I know you don’t have many good memories of your time at Aeon, and I’m hesitant to raise any subjects that might cause you pain. But I hear the affection in your voice as you talk about these people, especially your mother and grandmother. You seem happy to speak of them at present, so I’m asking if you’ll tell me more. They were your family, they’re part of you. I want every part.” His lips twitched at her snicker. “Yes, as you well know, I’m greedy when it comes to you.”
That was a two-way street, so Wynter didn’t mind. “My mom was sweet and brave and spunky. Davina had a contagious laugh. Loved to cook and garden. I swear, flowers seemed to lean toward her. Like she was some kind of magnet for nature.”
Wynter paused as her throat thickened, forcing her to clear it with a cough. “She taught me how to use and control my magick—which, before I died as a child, was light and comforting like hers.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” She felt her mouth cant up. “Hard to imagine that, huh? Given all I’ve done with it as an adult, I mean.”
“It’s not simply that.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “The darkness and chaos suits you and your personality.”
“I said my magick was light and comforting back then, I didn’t say it wasn’t chaotic. My mom had a hard time helping me channel it, but she persevered. Davina was even more stubborn than I am. She had no quit in her . . . And it hurts like motherfucking hell that she pled guilty to bringing me back from the afterlife so that no one would know I was a revenant.