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And that won’t do.

She’s making me reckless, pulling me from my usual meticulous planning and protections I keep around myself.

Spinning, I jog lightly back through the trees, recalling the route easily from the many times I’ve walked these woods over the months I’ve been watching her.

It’s earthy, woody, and filthy. Once I have her back, I won’t need to do this again.

I’ve barely slipped into my car when my phone rings again. I’m ready to ignore it, but I know who it is and can’t risk angering him.

“Sir,” I greet, injecting false civility as I start the drive back.

“Serpens, you said the situation was under control and merely a blip. I’ve been advised it appears to be more than that,” he draws out in his nasal voice.

I’m not fooled by his nonchalant tone.

“It will be under control soon once I’ve rounded up my escaped pet. They can be tricky at the start of ownership, as I’m sure you’re aware, Draconis.”

“Mm, except I’m not. You seem to forget that I’ve owned pets for a very long time, Serpens, and I’ve never been careless enough to lose one. I should think that you’ve written this one off as lost and moved on to start anew elsewhere. Perhaps without a pet for the time being.”

My fists clench around the steering wheel, and the leather creaks. “I’m unsure I’m willing to abandon this one and leave it behind.”

“It wasn’t a suggestion. Consider this an instruction. You’re aware of what happens to owners who don’t follow the guidelines, Serpens.” His words take on a bite, something I’ve heard on many occasions. This is the first time it’s been directed at me.

The line goes dead, and the car jerks as my palm hits the wheel, a hoarse shout bouncing around the interior space.

Kitten is making this harder, and she’s going to have to pay for all the trouble I’m having to put up with. She needs to appreciate everything I’m doing, and will have to do, to get her back to me.

Even if she gets damaged in the process.

THIRTY-FOUR

ROSY

“Do you want pancakes?” Bry asks as I slide onto one of the island stools. “Did you manage to get any more sleep?”

“Are you making your granola this morning?” I brace on my elbows and lean over to look at the oven. “It smells like you are. And no, not really. I think I’m too nervous about the session this morning.”

Bry leans from the other side of the island and presses a kiss to my lips. “What part has you worried?”

A loud exhale escapes as I drop my head into my hands. “I’m not sure. I guess I keep trying to shove everything into a box, and I know she’s going to want to talk about things. But I don’t know what she’s going to ask in order to know what to be prepared for,” I mumble, letting the thoughts freefall out into the open.

A bowl’s pushed into my line of sight, and I thank him when I see the granola I’ve become addicted to.

“You said you booked it with the therapist you used to see before?” I nod, picking up the spoon. “So she’s at least familiar. You also don’t have to discuss anything you don’t want to. This is all to help you. That’s all any of us wants for you.”

“Okay, what sort of magic did you put on this? This is one of the best things I’ve ever had for breakfast,” I moan, deciding that I need another topic for distraction. I slide another spoonful into my mouth, humming around it.

“I love watching you enjoy the things I make for you.” Bry smiles softly, leaning in to press another kiss on my lips. “It’s got freeze-dried strawberries, sour cherries, ground almonds, and flaked almonds, but the secret ingredient is…grated marzipan.”

“Well, seeing as I have no cooking skills, I don’t think you have to worry about me stealing your kept secret.”

“I don’t have any secrets from you. Anything you want to know is yours,” he says easily as he continues mixing things into a bowl.

He was the same when he casually dropped that he loved me the other day, and I don’t understand how he can feel so sure, so certain about me.

I don’t even feel sure about myself.

“Doesn’t that make you nervous? That I might find something I won’t like?” I know my feelings, and I’m almost certain there’s not much he could tell me that would change anything. Still…shouldn’t he be somewhat worried?