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“Too right, my friend,” Vera smirked. “The extent of his talents is not something we typically speak of, by the way. Henderson likes keeping a low profile.”
Though she was likely speaking to me, Draven assured her no one would dare to divulge Henderson’s talents. He added that he knew she wouldn’t dare to divulge what she learned about Casimir’s mate. For beings who held secrets so close to the chest, they sure shared easily amongst one another.
Blood oath, I reminded myself. It was impossible to break.
“Soo,” Lyric yawned around her words. “Sersha sent some fae dudes to check if you had any family, which means she either knew of your connection and was planning to clean house or she wanted to make sure she could get rid of you without anyone to gripe about it.”
Vera’s head jerked towards me. Lyric’s words in front of the witch made me antsy, magical oath or not.
“Or both,” Casimir guessed before Vera could speak. “Though, I do think she would have reacted differently if she knew for certain she and Raven were of shared blood. It would have rattled her and I doubt Sersha would have kept Raven alive for so long. She’s always been power-hungry and would want to eliminate anyone who threatened her claim to the throne.”
“That’s what I’m now thinking, as well. What about the shifter?” Draven asked me.
I took a breath and thought of how to best phrase my words. “My father has a handful of shifters working for him. It’s possible he didn’t give much notice before he departed to rescue me or that he had decided to bring me to Embour. They’re an overprotective bunch, the shifters. They’re hardwired that way. It could have been one who left the compound to find his leader.”
“Your father got you out?” Vera inquired. “Do I know him?”
I shrugged, feeling more and more weary.
Casimir stood abruptly and held out his hand. Instinctively I took it. “I think we should continue this conversation tomorrow. It’s late and everyone is tired, Raven and I especially.”
“Goodnight,” I bid and was pulled out of the room in a rush. I heard a few snickers behind us.
When we entered his quarters, I stopped short. “Where is the bed?”
“Right in front of you.”
“That wasn’t here when we left.” I pointed at the colossal mattress sitting on the ground where the former bed used to sit. Covered in new bedding, a fluffy mix of soft blues interwoven with white and grey, it looked like a cloudy sky. Gone was his elevated frame. Gone was any frame.
“The other one was too high for you,” Casimir said as he casually walked into the bathroom.
I followed, watching as he picked up my toothbrush, applied toothpaste, and set it on the counter. He then did the same to his own.
“I assumed you wouldn’t be opposed.” He turned to the sink and began the mundane task of cleaning his teeth.
“Did you think I would throw a fit because I found out Vera had slept in that bed?” I called back the searing flames of jealousy before they could slide down the bond. Or, I tried to.
He spit into the sink and rinsed his mouth. “A fit? No. I don’t think you’re the type to throw fits. Zap off my balls? Absolutely. But definitely not a tantrum.”
Casimir strode into the closet as he spoke. “The bed was supposed to be traded out earlier in the day. They were running behind, so it got here late. The new mattress is a much better one, anyway.”
I could hear him opening and closing drawers. Turning back to the sink, I inspected my face. I looked as tired as I felt.
My hand paused on its way to pick up my toothbrush. It was such a small thing to get it out and ready for me to use. Very few beings in my life had ever done small things on my behalf. Shaking off the thought, I brushed my teeth.
Casimir returned dressed in loose-fitting black sweats. I ogled his sculpted upper half until he moved to stand at my back, watching as I spit and rinsed. We stared at each other in the mirror. He inched closer and I reveled in the heat he gave off. His large hands squeezed my hips and he leaned forward, kissing the top of my head.
Normally his hands on me would invoke a surge of desire. My physical need for him was always there, under the surface, but his attentions were tender and affectionate. It was like being wrapped in a warm blanket.
Of course, I wanted him sexually; but I found that I wanted him like this, as well. I’d never needed, nor wanted, to be taken care of. How so many witches were able to deny the pull of their soulmates was beyond me. I was beginning to wonder why they tried so hard in the first place, especially if there were mates out there like Casimir.
“I set out some pajamas for you. I think we’re both tired and a good rest will do us good.” He squeezed again and left me to finish up.
In the closet was a similar pair of loose-fit black sweats and matching tank. I smiled and put them on quickly. When I finally slid between the sheets, he pulled me into the curve of his body.
“Goodnight, Little Bird.”
“Goodnight, Casimir.”
