“So everyone has an Arran story,” I remark mostly to myself, my brain trying to catch up with all the feelings rippling through me.
Tilly catches my eye and there’s an understanding there that can only come through a lifetime of knowing each other.
“When Bodin and I had our claiming ceremony,” Tilly says, her voice soft and tender, “I didn’t know the extent of Arran’s care and involvement in the town, but we wanted to honor him in some small way. That’s why we chose Clan Stewart’s tartan as the fabric for our claiming bracelets.”
A lightbulb goes on above my head as I stare at the bracelet encircling Tilly’s wrist, the fabric the same as the kilt Arran always wears. “I didn’t even realize that. Arran must’ve been so touched. He loved his clan.”
“He told you about them?” Tilly asks, the rest of the smut club listening just as intently.
“A little, yeah.”
A thick silence settles around us as everyone processes all the revelations. I don’t think they were even aware of each other’s stories, so hearing all of these at once is really significant.
Thoughts flit through my brain faster than I can keep track of. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do with all this information that’s been shared today, but I know I can’t ignore it. The only thing I’m sure of is that it feels like a pivotal moment in Starry Hill’s history.
I look at each creature sitting around me. “ArranisStarry Hill. Without him, this town wouldn’t exist the way it does. Have the Starry Hill residents ever done anything big to honor Arran? Some kind of way to thank him for all the small things he’s done for them over the centuries?”
Tilly rubs her hands together. “Oh, I can see the wheels turning. You’ve got an idea for a new project, don’t you?”
“I think I might.”
Chapter 13
Arran
It’s been almost two weeks since Audrey moved into my castle, and it’s starting to feel somewhat normal having her and Anita there. Initially, I thought it would bother me to have someone else living in my castle, but they’ve been rather good company.
For a while, they mostly kept to themselves, but I’ve found myself spending more and more evenings in the parlor when they’re downstairs, slowly getting to know Audrey while watching the pup play.
The quick-witted woman likes to ask me all types of questions about my former clan, my life here, and some of the creatures who’ve lived in Starry Hill over the centuries.
It’s been equally interesting learning more about Audrey, finding out about her job, her variety of interests, and how her desire for fairness for workers led to her living in Starry Hill.
She’s an absolutely fascinating creature, funny too. Often I find myself chuckling at some kind of remark she made, and seemingly inspired by my reaction, Audrey ups the ante every time, getting more and more outlandish with her quips.
Anita has also been an irresistible delight and I’ve grown quite fond of her. I’ve made the pup a few toys and take care of her whenever Audrey heads out to help Tilly with the twins.
Despite all the extra time we spend together, Audrey and I haven’t had any more lust-driven nights. There have been charged moments, lingering touches, almost kisses, but our teasing never leads to anything beyond that.
I wonder how long it will take before Audrey will invite me into her bed again. If I’m privileged enough for her to give me another chance, I plan on being very well fed before anything can happen, because I hope to make it a very memorable night—for both of us.
Just in case it does happen sooner rather than later, I’ve taken Calla up on the offer of increasing my blood orders and have started keeping a few extra bags in the icebox. It’s better not to have use for the surplus supply than finding myself in the same predicament as last time.
Oh, I so wished I could’ve fucked Audrey, but I knew the desire to bite her would’ve been too strong. Maybe I could’ve withstood the temptation, but I’m not willing to put her at risk. Ever.
After sunset, I bid Audrey and Anita farewell and stroll across the island toward the northern shore, to Shinsu and Eleanor’s mill. It’s time for my favorite event of the week: game night.
For months now, Bodin, Ren, Shinsu, Eleanor, and I have been playing Knights & Castles, a tabletop board game Shinsu introduced us to. Our campaign had been briefly paused whileBodin adjusted to parenthood, but tonight is our first time back and I’m rather looking forward to seeing my friends gathered around the table again.
I wonder if Audrey would ever be interested in tabletop games. If you had asked me only a few years ago, the answer would most certainly have been a firm no.
However, enjoying a pint of beer with my friends while we work out strategies for our characters and go on all types of adventures has been a great addition to my otherwise fairly monotonous life.
Kind of like the way Audrey has managed to brighten my life too. I never know what to expect from her, never know what her next words or actions will be, and I find it… exciting.
Halfway across the island, I see Ren leaving his cottage, Maisie blowing a kiss toward him just as he meets my eyes.
The shy incubus’s cheeks flame an even brighter shade of red and he ducks his head as he falls into step beside me. “Evening, Arran.”
