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I nod and reach for a loofa and a bottle of soap. “They said they didn’t believe me because of a large burst of power in the woods. They wanted to know what I was doing.” I work up a lather and then start scrubbing. Well, not really scrubbing, more gingerly rubbing the suds over my aching flesh, and being extra careful around my wrists.
“Makes sense. Whatever pulled you away from The Library probably used a hell of a lot of energy, especially to carry you that far. They assumed whoever was in the area was the cause of the concentration of magic, but we know different.”
I frown and lean forward to pull the stopper on the tub, letting the water drain out. “What happened with Suzie?”
When he doesn’t say anything for the longest time, I glance over at him and find him staring at me, his jaw tense. “Cohen?”
He blinks. “She was heartbroken. Started yelling and crying about how she couldn’t believe that I’d kept it from her. I was confused as fuck, because I had no idea witch hunters were even a thing. But it became fairly obvious that’s what she was when she slapped a pair of those enchanted cuffs on me and cut me off from my power.”
I shiver, remembering what that felt like, to not have access to a part of yourself. Sure, I’d only known I had magic for the last few months, but it’s been with me my whole life, and losing it was a physical ache.
I watch as the last of the filthy water rinses down the drain, and then turn on the tap to fill up the tub again. “What did she do?”
“She took me to her father and begged him to help her bind my magic.”
I frown. “I thought there needed to be a blue moon for that to happen?” At least, that’s what the boys had told me. Mr. Harris has threatened to bind their magic if they don’t get rid of me, and the next blue moon is in August. I looked it up and blue moons only happen every two to three years.
Cohen tsks. “I keep telling you your boys are limited, wildcard. There are other ways to bind a witch’s magic. They just don’t know about them.”
I frown. If there are other ways, ways that don’t require them to wait for months, then why isn’t Mr. Harris using one of them to bring his son in line now? It would be more effective to just do it.
Cohen hums and then answers what I had thought was an unspoken question. Maybe I‘m still under the influence of the potion, or maybe I’m just not as guarded as I used to be with Cohen. “The covens are all about limiting power. We’re not foolish enough to think that the elders are actually following their own rules. But they have to at least have the appearance that they are. The Septem Stellae coven is huge. I’m sure a few members at the top of the hierarchy are aware of what the elders are doing, but the others? Nah, they are clueless.”
I nod slowly. “So Mr. Harris can’t risk using one of these different methods to bind their magic because it would give too much away about the amount of power and knowledge he actually has. That he’s not limited like everyone else.”
“Exactly.” Cohen sounds pleased as he says the word, like he’s proud that I came to that conclusion.
I reach for the small shower attachment on the facet and flick the water flow over to it before holding it over my head to wet my hair. The movement pulls at my injuries, makes my ribs and stomach ache with throbbing pain, but there is no way I’m not going to wash my hair. No fucking way.
Still, I whimper as I try to move the flow of water where I need it and in an instant, Kohaku appears kneeling next to the tub, Cohen is right behind him, like he’d been coming to help too.
“Let us help you, little warrior,” the kitsune murmurs, gently taking the shower head from me. Maybe I should feel a little embarrassed that they are both so close to me while I’m naked. I know they can see everything. Well, maybe not everything. My knees are drawn up to my chest, so they can’t see my lady bits, but they can probably see most of my nipples.
Still, I’m in so much pain that I can’t bring myself to care. Kohaku flicks his eyes to Cohen. “Did you give her something for the pain?”
The witch swears and heads to the medicine cabinet, while Kohaku gently urges my head to tip back and he directs the spray over my dirty, sweaty hair.
Cohen returns with two white pills and a glass of cool water. I swallow the pills and drink the entire glass as Kohaku’s long magic fingers work shampoo through my strands. When he’s finished, Cohen is there, flipping on the shower attachment to rinse while the kitsune sits back on his heels and waits.
They work together in this manner until my entire body is clean, even smoothing soap over every inch of me again, in an entirely non-sexual way that still has me trembling with need by the time they’re done.
Then Cohen flips on the tub again and starts refilling it, dumping in more of the bath salts and the bubbles and the oils. When that’s done, he sits back and observes me. “I’m going to run and take a shower myself, and then I’ll see about getting you something to eat. Okay?”
I nod and lean back again. Now that I’m clean, I feel like I can really relax and let the bath salts do their job. Cohen’s icy green eyes flick to Kohaku where’s still kneeling. “Take care of our girl.”
The kitsune dips his head in agreement before shifting to a cross-legged position, his elbows propped on his knees as he cups his chin in both hands. It’s a strange sight to see such a large man with pointed fox ears and six tails sit like a thirteen-year-old girl about to share a secret with her best friend, but it’s also adorable.
“How are you feeling now, little warrior?”
My eyes slip closed as I sigh. “Better now that I’m not spouting every thought that occurs to me.”
He chuckles low and deep, and my pussy clenches in response. “I have to say I didn’t mind so much. I enjoy hearing how sexy you think I am, repeatedly. Cohen didn’t mind so much either.”
I shoot up, and water sloshes around the tub, sprinkling drops on the white tile. “How many times did I say that?”
His lips curl into a mischievous smile, and he shakes his head. “A few times. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, little warrior. I think you are the sexiest woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, and I’ve been around for over six hundred years, so you know I’ve seen a lot of women.”
Jealousy. Yep, that’s what I’m feeling right now. So much jealousy over those other women he’s seen. A knowing smirk curves his lips. My gaze narrows before I settle back down again. “Let’s not talk about your past conquests, Kohaku. I’ve been through enough today.”
