Page 42 of Mending Mayhem
I frowned. “Not even the fae? Or an attacking demon?”
“That’s different. In battle, you have to. In real life…never. Okay? Especially not because you’re jealous.” She tilted her head, awaiting my answer.
“I will try my best to remember that.”
She laughed again. “Your brother has taught me that’s the best I can expect from a demon.”
“Is that why you rejected me? Because of what I am?”
“Yes and no.” She sighed and continued her stroll. “It’s hard for a light witch to accept she’s fated to a demon.”
“Your sister has no problem with it.”
“She struggled, believe me. But Ash is better with people than I am, so you have to be patient with me. I’m scared to death of this.” She motioned her finger between us.
“And what is ‘this’ to you?”
“I don’t know. I need time to figure things out, and that’s the problem, isn’t it? We’re running out of time.”
A crisp breeze rustled the leaves on the ground, and a pink cloud stretched across the sun, dimming the afternoon light as a trail of white smoke extended from the chimney of a nearby home, filling the air with the aroma of burning maple wood. I inhaled deeply, taking in the moment. There would be more like this. There had to be.
“I have waited an eternity to find you. I will wait a thousand more if that’s what you need.” And I would do everything within my power to make her understand she belonged to me, as I belonged to her. No matter the cost.
She tilted her head, a sad smile playing on her lips. “Yeah, words definitely do not elude you.”
I paused beneath an oak tree. “What shall we do now?”
She stopped and faced me. “We need to head back so you can apologize to Miles and Shade. I promise you, they are more interested in each other than they are in me.”
My brow furrowed with my confusion. “They are a couple?”
“Not officially…but learn to read the room.” She turned around and motioned for us to return. “And put a lid on your pot o’ jealousy. It’s been ages since a man has caught my eye, and you’ve given me tunnel vision.”
“Tunnel vision?”
She sighed. “You are the only man I am interested in, okay? I like you. Just don’t let it go to your head.”
The knife once piercing my chest clattered to the ground, warmth and hope replacing the pain. Ember was mine, whether she could admit it or not, and I would never let another man lay a finger on her. I would be her consort, her protector…her everything…just as she was mine.
“This is weird.” She huffed out a half-laugh. “You and I are so much alike.”
“Why is that weird?”
“Because we’re fighters, not lovers. And here we are, taking a walk and talking about our feelings.”
I rubbed my chin, my lips pursing. “Very weird indeed. But, according to your television, love can make you do strange things.”
She hid her quick intake of air by clearing her throat. “I’m definitely not ready for that word.”
It was simple verbiage to express an overwhelming emotion, but I acquiesced. If it made her uncomfortable, I would not use it until she deemed I could. I would do anything for this feisty witch. Anything.
We returned to the lot behind her home, and Ember strode toward her van, clicking her tongue as she examined the damage. The imp had shattered the windshield on the passenger side and caused multiple dents in the hood when it jumped.
“It looks like we got hit with a hailstorm.” She reached for the hood but stopped, curling her lip at the slime pooling in the dents. “I can’t imagine what it’ll cost to get this fixed.”
“Can you not barter your services?”
“I’m not sure what I could offer a body shop. My talents are throwing sharp objects and killing otherworldly invaders.”