“I take it you didn’t leave any witnesses?” she asks, but there’s no judgment there. Just a wry little smile that reminds me once again what a fucking gem she is.
“Darling. When do Ieverleave witnesses?” I close my eyes, a grin stretching across my face as I recall the carnage Augs and I left behind in that awful house.
“Dare I ask what you’re smiling at now?” Draegan says.
“Oh, just imagining the masterpiece I’m going to make from Belinda’s ribs.”
His sigh is heavy and all-encompassing. “For fuck’s sake, Jude.”
I open my eyes and meet his incredulous—and entirely predictable—glare. “Draegan. Did you honestly think I’d come home empty-handed after all that hard work? No, thank you. I got me somenicesouvenirs.”
“Of course you did.”
“Huff and puff all you want, Negative Nelly, but I’ll be expecting a full apology when you’re out on the porch with a hot toddy next week, enjoying the soothing sounds of our new wind chimes. They’re supposed to be good for your blood pressure—did you know that?”
“Not as good as time away from you.” He shakes his head, then turns to Westlyn, his irritation melting into something that almost looks like affection. “Feeling better, then? You look good. I mean… That is to say, your color is… nice.”
“I’m fine, Daddy Drae.” Her tone is casual, her smile bright, but those eyes hold an unmistakable spark of mischief. Lifting her foot off the bed, exposing a particularly juicy section of her thigh, she says, “Jude gave me a pedicure. Do you like it?”
Draegan’s eyes blaze in return, his hands curling into fists at his side.
I’m no couples therapist, but I’m ninety-nine percent sure they fucked the other night. Not that either of them will admit it to me, of course. I’m about to ask them, just to break the tense silence, but then Draegan clears his throat and says, “It’s… lovely. You… continue to rest up. Let me know if you need anything.”
With that, he turns on his heel, about to bolt out of his own bedroom like he’s just heard the postman deliver the latest Architectural Digest, but Augs shows up with a massive tray loaded up with all of Westlyn’s favorites. Lucinda and Huxley follow him in.
Drae halts his speedy exit, if only to share some of his special brand of sunshine with Auggie. “What’s all this?” he demands, gesturing irritably at the birds. “I hope you cleaned their feet.”
“This,” Auggie says, smoothly side-stepping him, “is for Westlyn. Room service with a smile, and a couple of friends along for the ride.”
“Night breakfast in bed, huh?” Westlyn grins and rubs her hands together. “Careful, boys. A witch could get used to this.”
“Would that be so bad?” Augs leans down to set the tray beside her and kisses her forehead, the birds hopping up beside them, and the whole scene is just downright cozy, if you ask me.
But Draegan? Not exactly the cozy type. He just crosses his arms over his chest and glares at us like he’s about to pop off.
“Jude,” he says abruptly. “Augustine. Maybe we should let Miss Avery get some rest. I’m quite sure she could use it after her ordeal, and—”
“I’m quite sureshecan speak for herself,” Westlyn says, giving Drae a playful roll of her eyes. “But I’m fine. Just a little stiff. Nothing a good meal and some quality time with my gargoyles won’t fix.”
“Define… quality.” Auggie sits beside her and leans in close, lips grazing her ear. “Because I’m fairly certain I can provide some top-tier—”
“Augustine.” Draegan, again with the glaring.
“Draegan,” the three of us tease in return. Then Westlyn pops a strawberry into her mouth and says to him with an adorable shrug, “You’re welcome to join us, Daddy Drae. Plenty of room for more on this big bed of yours.”
Heat creeps into his haughty face, though it’s hard to tell if he’s angry or turned on. “Thank you, but I certainly don’t need an invitation to my own bed. And if you don’t mind, kindly escort the birds away from the pillow shams. They’re… Anyway, I have… things. Things to do. To see to. Many, many things.”
“Don’t let us hold you up,” I say, hopping up onto the bed on Westlyn’s other side. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ll be mindful of the pillow shams.”
Casting a final icy glower at me and Augs, Draegan finally leaves us in peace.
“Sooo.” Auggie nudges her thigh with his knee. “How long have you and Drae been fucking?”
Her eyes widen, then she plucks another big, juicy strawberry from the bowl and shoves it into Auggie’s mouth.
“No more talking,” she says. “I’m eating.”
I can’t help but grin.Suspicions confirmed.
