Laurie nuzzled her cheek, and she nearly sighed. The slight bristle of his late-day stubble felt good.
Although was it late for them? Vampires always had weird schedules.
Maybe she should ask.
Then she yawned and struggled to keep her eyes open. She should probably say goodbye soon, or she might ramble and say things she regretted later.
“Bed, please, and we can meet again tomorrow.”
Joseph took her into his lap. Laurie stood, and then scooped her into his arms. She tried to protest, but he merely held her closer and murmured, “You wouldn’t make it up the stairs right now. Now, hush, and let me help you.”
Exhausted, she merely nodded, wrapped her arms around his neck, and laid her head on his shoulder. Even though Laurie was a little shorter and leaner than Joseph, she felt his hard muscles against her side. She wondered if he’d frozen that way or if he’d gotten into shape later. Was that possible?
She really needed to get more information from Yesenia because Meadow didn’t remember enough from her vampire studies.
Laurie’s gait lulled her, and she kept closing her eyes and opening them, determined to be awake when they said goodbye and left.
Eventually, he placed her on a bed—the blanket folded down—and then tucked her in. He brushed the hair from her face and said, “Sweet dreams, beautiful. We’re both looking forward to tomorrow.”
Then Laurie was gone, and Joseph leaned over her. His jaw still looked tense, but he lowered his head and gently kissed her cheek, lingering for a few seconds. A deep longing crashed over her, to have both of them stay and keep her warm.
However, they were gone far too soon, and Meadow finally embraced her exhaustion and dreamed of all the ways visiting Nyx’s Kingdom could go wrong.
Chapter Ten
The next day, Meadow paced in front of the fireplace, both eager and afraid to meet the tracker and her new magic teacher.
She’d received a note saying they’d come at two o’clock, and it was five past. There were probably traffic jams in this time, even if it was with horses and carriages instead of cars, but they had to come, didn’t they? There was no way any fae witch in London would dare defy Dark Lord Khan.
But it was more than them being a few minutes late, of course, that made her anxious. She would leave for Laurie and Joseph’s pleasure house later in the day, around 8 p.m. Her sister-in-law had suggested waiting until it was dark out since that’s when more patrons would be milling about.
Even if she wasn’t much of a night person, it made sense. And once Joseph had written back, saying the foursome would start at nine that evening in the voyeur room, she’d become more and more eager to go. She’d probably only peek through a slit in a wall to avoid anyone looking at her with disgust, because she wasn’t sure she could handle that. At least, not when everythingwas so new and she was constantly afraid of getting things wrong.
Laurie’s words from the night before rushed back to her:Sweet dreams, beautiful. We both hope to see you tomorrow.
Add in Joseph’s lingering goodnight kiss, and it’d been like something out of a movie. Two guys who wanted her, and each other, and were more supportive in a matter of hours than any guy she’d tried to date before. In other words, they had to be too good to be true, right?
A knock made her jump, and Meadow placed a hand over her heart.Focus, Meadow. Your future in the past relies on these people.
Not to mention if her lessons went well, she might fully control her powers one day.
If that were possible, of course.
“Enter,” she stated as she stood near one of the chairs.
A tall, pale female with red hair braided around her head, showing off her pointed ears, walked in, closely followed by another shorter female with long black hair and light brown skin.
The redhead smiled. “I’m Helena Watts, the tracker. And this is Nadia Ahmed, your new magic teacher.”
Meadow eyed Nadia, who couldn’t be more than thirty, and before she could think better of it, she blurted, “Do you have the same powers as me?”
Nadia smiled at her. “I don’t know if our secondary powers will match, if you have one. But yes, I also control lust and desire.” She held up her hands to show off her wrists. “And soon enough, you’ll be like me, and not have to wear anything to contain your magic.”
“What’s your secondary power?”
“Truth seeker.”
Meadow blinked. Nadia could tell when someone was lying, no matter if they were a paranormal or human.
