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The high warlock had rights in this realm that didn’t extend to the rest of the world. Before my travels, I had accepted that right to take whoever I wanted for a wife as my due. Now that I’d experienced more of life than our realm, I could see how wrong the whole concept of forcing someone into marriage was.
I wondered if my mother would have agreed to marry Dad, if she’d actually had a choice in the matter.
I’d used that card on Monique earlier because I’d been so shocked and angry to find her in the arms of not one, buttwo, other men. I’d had to stay in the conversation, somehow, not because I would force her into anything against her will. I’d assumed, and wrongly it seemed now, that Monique would want to marry me.
“I’m not sure.”
“You’re not sure?” His expression turned blank as though he couldn’t comprehend what I’d meant.
Perhaps people—witches especially—didn’t have their own minds as far as my father was concerned?
“Not yet. Monique did express her desire to marry me...” Under a truth spell, but I wasn’t going to disclose that to my dad. “But we didn’t decide on a date. After all, there’s no rush.”
My father clapped his hands together as if I’d pleased him. “No, no rush at all. She will make a good wife for you, son.”
I nodded and finished my cappuccino. I asked more general questions about the coven and found out how life had been in my absence. As far as I could tell, nothing had changed.
When we finished our meal, I stood, itching to get back to Monique.
“I promised Monique I’d return to visit her after we’d caught up, Father,” I lied smoothly. “Is that all right with you?”
“Of course.” He walked me to the door. “You are your own man now, Michael. Soon to be a husband. And then, no doubt, a father. Do as you please.”
I managed a small smile and waved at him as I stepped through the powerful protection around his house. Once past his wards, I wanted to run. But I forced myself to walk slowly down the cobblestone-paved street.
Now that I’d gotten away from him, I was able to think a little more clearly. I’d sensed something dark, somethingwrong, inside my childhood home. I’d have to check on Mother when I returned, but for now, I was working on instinct.
I had a few questions for the wolves.
I walked up the winding path back to Monique’s cottage. This time, I figured I’d better knock. While I waited, my brain created an image of the three of them lying in bed together, Monique naked and flushed with desire, her limbs akimbo and her beautiful hair flung in all directions. In my image, Xander lay on top of her and Kyle beside her. Just like before.
Had they picked things up where they’d left off the moment I’d raced out the door?
Had they actually consummated their union this time?
My heart pounded. That was not something I wanted to think about, but it seemed my damn brain wouldn’tstopthinking of it.
The door opened. Kyle greeted me with a scowl.
He crossed his arms over his chest, his lips pressed into a displeased line. “Oh. You’re back.”
“Thank you for stating the obvious.”
When his brown eyes hardened, I realized I shouldn’t be snapping at them just because I was jealous. If I’d come back home sooner, even a few days ago, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Monique would have been mine.
I cleared my throat. “Can I come in? I have to talk to you guys.”
Kyle didn’t move, but Monique stepped up next to him and gestured. “Come on in, Michael.”
“Thank you.” I waited for the wolf shifter to move, then made my way inside.
Xander was stirring a pot on the stove top.
The guy can cook? Nice.
He turned to glare at me. “What are you doing back already?”
I put my hands up in a sign of surrender. “I know you guys don’t like me, and that’s fine. Feeling’s mutual. But I need to talk to you about something.”
