Page 140 of Their Blood Rite

‘We don’t really know what to say, Pixie,’ Shaw replies. ‘We cannot believe you did that to Cole.’

‘He deserved worse.’

‘I’m not sure there’s much worse than having the woman you love spit your enemies' cum in your face an hour before you’re to stand before the king,’ Archie snorts. ‘Did you see his face? The complete shock right before he started throwing up everywhere?’

‘Did you see his face during the ceremony? He looked ready to tear us all apart,’ I add. ‘I did enjoy seeing him kneel in front of you all, though.’

We all burst into laughter.

‘I just…’ Archie folds his arms across his chest and leans back in his seat as he surveys me. ‘You are a very unusual Earth Witch.’

‘That’s because I’m not just an Earth Witch.’ I look to Shaw. ‘Did you know he was waiting for me in that wardrobe?’

‘I put the idea in his head to seek you out when I dream walked with him last night,’ he admits. ‘I needed to know if he knew your trigger.’

‘Another minute, he would have had me-’

‘We were watching you the entire time, Pixie. He was never going to touch you. I even told him what words to say, making sure he didn’t compel you to touch him.’ He settles back and wraps his cloak further around his body before closing his eyes. ‘I’m going to sleep for a while. Can you behave whilst I rest?’

‘I always behave. What did you see in Cole’s dreams?’ Shaw peers over the collar of his cloak at me.

‘You,’ he replies. ‘First, he was trying to rescue you from us. A real knight in shining armour, riding in and sweeping you off your feet. Then he had you and was making you pay for betraying him.’

‘How was he making me pay?’

‘Let’s just say what he tried to do to you was a day at the beach compared to what he did to you in his dreams.’

‘Fucker tried to mouth rape me.’

‘There’s nothing more dangerous than a man who is used to getting his way and being denied what he wants by someone who has no right turning him down.’

‘I have every right.’

‘Not according to him. To him, he owns you. We’ve taken you. And you’ve abandoned him.’

‘Deluded prick,’ Archie scoffs.

‘Oh yeah. Absolutely,’ Shaw agrees. ‘But he’s still dangerous. And we still need to keep the peace.’

‘I promise I won’t spit cum in his face again,’ I offer.

‘Let’s not say anything rash,’ Shaw says before closing his eyes again. ‘That was the funniest shit I’ve ever seen.’

‘Perhaps we should return the Grimoire?’ I hate to suggest it, but that would give him one less reason to come after us.

‘You’re keeping the Grimoire. I already said.’

As we travel, my attention goes to Dorian beside me. He’s distracted and shifting in his seat. I hold out my hand and unwind the charms he gave me.

‘I’m fine,’ he grunts.

‘I have no doubt. Maybe I just want to hold your hand. And your aura is like thorns on my skin. It’s uncomfortable.’

He takes my hand with a heavy eye roll, and I wrap the charms around his fingers. He visibly relaxes and lets out a breath.

‘Did you ever find my charms?’ I ask.

Dorian shakes his head.

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