Page 43 of Witches and Wine
Frowning, I tugged Dion’s arm, urging him to look at me. “Hey, he was only trying to comfort me. That was all.”
Dion snapped his attention to me, poking a finger against his chest, his nostrils flaring, taking in my scent. “Ishould be the one comforting you, Chels.”
His sudden possessiveness flattered me as much as it made me somewhat uneasy.
“You’re making this a lot easier. Do you realize that?” I started to shove my laptop and belongings into my bags.
Apollo sighed and rubbed his forehead.
“Making what easier?” Dion’s expression fell, the horns and claws slowly disappearing.
My sinuses stung, but I gulped back threatening tears. “To stay away from you.”
“Chels, please.” Dion reached for me but made no move to grab or physically stop me. “We’ve got a lot to talk about.”
Hoisting my briefcase strap to my shoulder, I turned on my heel to level my eyes on him. “Yeah? We, as in me and Dion, or me and the beast?”
Dion’s jaw clenched, along with his hands at his sides. “Both.”
My stomach twisted at this, my curiosity almost getting the better of me. My magic had driven him to the point of nearly attacking his brother over me for holding myhand. This had to stop.
“Well, it’s not going to be tonight, Dion.” I flicked my nail over the cracked leather of my purse strap. “Not tonight.”
A disappointed, heart-wrenching frown coursed over Dion’s features. The sight of it almost fucking broke me. Turning away, I headed for the exit and didn’t look back even when my heels met with the gravel of the parking lot.
I’d saton my couch staring at my hands for a solid twenty minutes. I focused on intricate lines that made up my unique print on the palms, fingers, and tips. For a brief moment, my magic floated from my skin, and I envisioned it settling over Dion, infiltrating his mind and coercing it into doing my bidding. Convincing him that he was head over heels for me, that he wanted me and me alone, and that no one would come between us. These were thoughts I’d had numerous times, thoughts I’d dismissed as soon as they rose because they felt petty and selfish. Now, they’d all come true, and not even his family would come between us, which was absurd. What was next? He’d shun my sister?
Wincing at that, I finally closed my hands, tears streaking my cheeks, and a low sob bubbled from my throat. Riley had been curled up on my lap since I sat down, and he scurried down my thigh until he reached my knee, pressing those adorably tiny paws on each side of it.
“Maybe I should talk to the Priestess more. What if she can help me control this?” I ran my forefinger between Riley’s eyes.
Riley bristled and patted my knee in his version of encouragement.
“Yes. Would you like to come with me this time? Apparently, a witch’s animal companion goes hand in hand.” Scratching his chin, I smiled when his ears flattened to his head, his back arching, and he started making those cute clucking noises he did whenever he was overly happy.
Sniffling, I gestured him up my arm and stood, grabbing a tissue. Securing Riley at the crook of my neck, I exited my apartment.
Unlike last time, no sooner had I approached the Crone’s abode than the door swung open. An invisible force pulled me inside, and the door slammed shut behind me. Riley scurried circles around my neck in a panic before pausing on my shoulder and baring his teeth at Cressida.
“You brought your familiar this time, I see,” the Priestess crooned while threading something on a loom.
My heart had begun to race but slowed, and I rubbed Riley’s furry crest. “My familiar?”
“Yes, child. The animal who has bonded to you—” The Crone pointed a bony finger at my ferret. “—is your familiar. Considering they often help with a witch’s magic, I’d suggest you keep him on your person as often as possible.”
Riley’s protesting subsided the more my nerves settled, and eventually, he curled his tail around my neck like a scarf and lay down.
“Where’s your familiar? Do you not have one?” I asked after searching all corners of the small cottage.
Cressida chuckled, working a wooden utensil up the threads, aligning them tightly together. “She’s an owl. And I’d imagine she’s off hunting at the moment. I leave the window open for her.” She pointed at the cracked wooden window behind me.
Silence overtook me because I didn’t know what to ask or say.
“Interesting that your animal is a ferret,” the Priestess said.
I couldn’t have imagined any other animal since Riley found me.
“Interesting? Why?”
