Page 32 of Poison Nights & Twilight Alchemy

“I have these dreadful headaches. Ever since I was a child,” Dulce murmured, forcing her voice to sound somber as she pressed her fingers to her temple.

“I suggest finding another witch to help with that,” the bearded man said, grabbing a card from the top of the pile to add to his hand.

“That witch’s bargains aren’t worth it,” the second older man grumbled. “She’ll ask for ten years of your life or something far worse in exchange.”

Dulce cradled her cheek. “Oh, dear…”

“But she can cure my wife?” Reed pressed. “I would do anything to ease her suffering.”

The horned creature lifted his stein, scowling at the loving couple. “Even if her price doesn’t alter your decision, La Bisou Morte doesn’t stay in Alder Bay.”

“I was hoping not to hear such news.” Dulce sighed.

The bearded man clucked his tongue. “If you want to find her, you’d have to get the answer from the Dukehimself.”

This was met with uproarious laughter, and Reed tossed his cards down, winning another hand.

The horned creature met Dulce’s gaze. “Fair warning, the Duke’s bargains are worse than his witch’s.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

REED

Though the men playing cards had no knowledge of the ruby-haired witch’s whereabouts, at least Reed and Dulce had a lead on La Bisou Morte. Except it involved the fobbing Duke. Reed continued to act as if this were an everyday occurrence as Dulce sat in his lap, though his pulse raced dangerously. With each minor movement, he wanted to pull her closer against him and trail his lips up the soft curve of her elegant neck.

“I’m going to get some rest,” she announced. “Will you be much longer, sweetheart?”

“A few more rounds and I’m all yours,” he purred.

Dulce beamed, leaning toward him to pretend to kiss hischeek, her lips just shy of touching his skin. “Good luck, then.”

“A very lucky man, indeed,” the horned creature said as Dulce walked away.

Reed laughed, nodding to his cards. “That I am, gentlemen. That I am.”

After a couple of rounds, in which Reed won a good deal of money but learned nothing of any value from his companions, he returned to his room. He was disappointed to find Dulce asleep atop the blankets, still dressed, her spell book open against her chest, as though she’d fallen asleep waiting for him to return. Or else determined to remain prepared for any unforeseen danger…?

Lifting a folded fur blanket from the end of the bed, he gently placed her book onto the night table and covered her.

Her eyes opened briefly as she murmured, “Sleep here,” before she drifted off once more.

Reed was tempted to slip under the blanket with her and hold her close, but he shook his head at the idea. She had been much too deep into sleep when she’d spoken.

“Goodnight, Highness.”

He settled onto his bed, his gaze drifting to her beautiful face more often than it should’ve before sleep finally took him.

Now that he had coin of his own winning, Reed decided to surprise Dulce with a gown for the Duke’s annualfestival, which, the invitation informed them, was to be held that very evening.

Friends could surprise friends with gifts. Besides, didn’t husbands buy gifts for their wives all the time?

“I’ll just check on Lucas then,” he called through the suite’s bathroom door. “Take him to eat breakfast.”

The sounds of water splashing along the copper tub, falling against the room’s glass tiles, echoed. Reed tried not to imagine Dulce free of her clothing, the water caressing her delicate skin, and failed miserably.

“I have a list of herbs to purchase,” she answered, her voice magnified against porcelain and glass. “The wonderfully extensive apothecary two doors down must be explored. Should take a few hours, at least.”

“Take as long as you need.”

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