Page 8 of Shattered Magic

“Nope. None of his business.”

“So, you are just going to pretend that he doesn’t consider you his consort?”

“Absolutely.” She grinned and unwrapped her hands. “He won’t touch me until I okay it, and I have shit to do. Plus, there is another issue that I have that requires some negotiation, and it isn’t a simple fix. He isn’t going to want to deal with it.”

Lorry chugged some water and then said, “What does it entail?”

“An opener with heavy binding capabilities.”

“Oh. Damn.”

“Yeah, it isn’t just my hands and feet that heal.” She got up, stretched, and nodded. “I am going to send a few messages and get some rest. I am going to have to explain myself a little, but that will wait until I am asleep.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You don’t have to.” She smiled and gathered her things. She said, “Have a nice day. Don’t forget that report.”

“It’s done.”

“Excellent. I will take all my donut-scarfing comments back. See you later.”

He chuckled, and she headed to the lockers, got her stuff, and used her key to head upstairs to her apartment. She was within walking distance of work and right above her favourite place to hang out.

She showered, got her clothes ready for the next day, and crawled into bed. Despite the curtailed adrenaline of the evening, she yawned as she settled on her pillow. She debated taking a sedative to curtail the conversation she was about to have, but she didn’t run from things.

Hari sat up and looked around her, surprised as always when he directed her to his bedroom. “Boy, are you optimistic.”

Zerul was sitting in his chair and looking at her with a smile. “Always. Has your rage subsided?”

“Yes. No. I was able to work it out.”

He held out his hand, and she walked toward him. It had taken years for him to build trust in her, even in the dreamscape. She was wearing a silk nighty with cropped-out sides, and he was wearing silk trousers. Even in the dreamscape, the texture of the fabric was always exact.

“I do appreciate the strength you possess, Anhara.” His fingers closed around hers and pulled her onto his lap.

When he lowered his head to hers, she kissed him softly. He smiled and leaned back. “We have much to discuss.”

Hari sighed. “You won’t be distracted?”

“No. You have an appointment with an opener the day after my party.”

She paused. “You are kidding. I thought you couldn’t find one.”

“The one most suitable has retired, but the second stringer is now coming here for the honour of getting your body to hold.”

“This is embarrassing.”

“No, it is necessary, or you will be uncomfortable when we come together. I do not want that. When it comes to having you in my arms, I want you relaxed and not anticipating pain.”

His hand slipped into the cutout in her nighty and rubbed her back.

“Hm. So, how long are you going to keep Serel silent?”

“Until you ask her to speak. You will control her access to her voice.”

“Well, that will go down well in court.”

“You are taking her to court?”