Page 23 of Magic and Muffins

I shook my head at both of them. “We’re never going out to eat together again. You’ve scarred me for life.”

Anchor looked guilty. Vena just grinned and looped her arm through mine.

“Pfft. That was nothing. Come on. Let’s get you home.”

* * *

While I cooked dinner,I made Vena sit on the opposite side of the living room from Anchor. She whined that I was being unfair.

“I’m going to accidentally drop your plate of food on the floor,” I said.

She pouted as she squirmed on the couch. “I just need?—”

“We all know what you need, Vena. You were very vocal about it on the way home and nearly caused an accident.”

She crossed her arms and sulked. “Fine.”

“You can sit at the table now, but opposite Anchor.”

She walked over like a petulant child but sat at the table. Anchor hesitantly took the chair across from her but kept out of reach of her feet.

“Thank you for dinner, Everly.”

I nodded and served the French toast casserole I’d made. It wasn’t a typical dinner, but I desperately needed comfort food. And feeding Vena a ton of carbs might slow her down.

However, instead of diving into the food, she played with the card the fae had given her.

“Put it down,” I said. “Eat.”

“But what if someone can break the curse on Anchor?”

She looked longingly at Anchor, who was busy frowning at his phone.

“Something wrong?” I asked.

“Shepard and Cross are still dealing with the protesters. More are joining, and it’s escalating. Neither of them will be able to return soon, so I’ll stay here.”

“We can sleep in one of the spare rooms,” Vena said with a wink.

He shook his head. “I’ll need you two to stick together. Take the master room once it’s bedtime. I’ll stand guard. With so many contractors coming and going, I don’t trust the safety of this place.”

“I could sit with you,” Vena said. “I’m not tired.”

“Your needs will distract him,” I said. “Eat dinner and take a long bath.”

“With my lime juicer?”

“I knew it! You said you put it back, but I thought I saw a flash of green from the corner of your pocket.”

Anchor coughed.

Vena grinned, dug into her food, and moaned when she ate it. “Best dinner ever.”

“Did you at least pay for the juicer?”

“Of course. I slid them cash on the way out.” She cocked her head at me. “Out of curiosity, did you happen to buy any oils? Or any other slippery edible substances?”

“Eat, Vena.”

---