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She got a bit squirmy then. “Um, I don’t—I think—” She was nervous in a way I didn’t understand, like she was ready for rejection?
Then it hit me. “I would love a whole night off and to just let my brain stop. I was hoping I could read to you until you fall asleep and simply slow down for a night, cuddle with you. I’ve wanted to since seeing my first ghost, if I’m honest.”
I wanted to pump my fist when I saw understanding in her eyes.
“I’d like that,” she said quietly. “You’re there as my guard sometimes and it feels like I tease you with that. I’d love a night hearing you read to me and snuggles.”
“Perfect. I will get much done so you can sleep soundly.”
“You too,” she argued.
I swallowed a snort. More like be horny the whole time because I was finally touching her.
I checked in with Kristof and was shocked at his answer.
“I hope you can make a night yours to do that,” he admitted, sighing when I couldn’t hide my reaction. “I love holding my wife all night. I do. It’s actually helped me and my own clawing crazy.”
I nodded that I got what he meant. “There’s just so much to do, and staying still as long as she needs is time you could handle more for her.” I nodded again when he did. “Yeah, it’s a tough balancing act. I’m going to take a few things off her plate now to help. If you could have the teams putting in solar panels assigned here tomorrow, I will handle the rest.”
“Thank you, my friend,” he said seriously, even if he knew I was doing it all for Inez.
I wouldn’t not help Kristof. It was just for Inez.
I took off and not only found a huge flock of turkeys where they shouldn’t be, but two chicken farms that had gone bonkers… And one had tiny chicks. I picked up a few to bring to Inez but then realized that would probably kill the babies.
Instead, I went back to the convention center and beamed at Inez. “I found something you will like, My Princess.”
“I can always use good news,” she sighed.
Kristof gave me a look that it wasn’t the time.
No, that made it absolutely the time to show her something so cute. Luckily, he picked up on my vibe and grabbed her to follow me.
She loved it. She let out an adorable “squee” when she saw the chicks.
“I would suggest we transport the gobs of chicks all over here to Matilda,” I told her. “Older chickens too but give the coven what you’re feeling right now. It’s a good present for Olivia taking back over as well.”
“Do it. Give them, Nora, and Hanna whatever they want. I don’t care as long as they can keep it quiet or—we need less reason for people to shit on us.”
Her. On her. It was in the slump of her shoulders that she was still too fragile after her breakdown. I hated that. It killed me.
But taking things off her plate really helped.
And letting her know she wasn’t alone. Which was why I planned on talking to the Begley twins before dinner. But right then I had much to do for my future, my Inez.
One day.
I brought totes of turkeys to the convention center and was impressed when all the kitchens were already cleaned and fixed up. A few of the fixed plucking machines were already there and the hose hooked up since it was a dirty outside job. People jumped right in to help, checking it was what Inez wanted.
“Princess Inez doesn’t like lazy people or liars,” I told them firmly. “As long as you’re helping the end goal, like getting food handled for everyone here instead of cleaning or fixing the facility, she is very understanding.”
“We’re not used to that,” the guy sighed.
“I know. Believe me, I know. Only time will heal you, but given how many jumped in to help your coven get settled and acclimated—that truly is what this coven is. Only those like that are accepted. It’s why some are still only guests.” I patted the guy’s shoulder. “Just take your time with it. Heal yourselves and know food and safety are no longer a problem.”
He nodded, tears in his eyes. I’d not been trapped as a noble in a bad coven, but I’d been born into hell. So I understood that relieved feeling but was still scared it would go back to that at any second.
I showed others the way to get more turkeys.
