Page 39 of Love's a Witch
“Is that his name, then?”
“Aye,” Sloane said softly and disappeared through a door before returning with an emberwolf in her arms.
He blinked up at me, his tongue lolling from his mouth, a mile-wide smile on his face. His warm brown eyes were friendly and curious, and his gray-and-white coat and pearlescent wings were captivating. Wriggling in her arms, he leaned forward and swiped his rough tongue across my outreached hand.
It was clear Sloane was bothered by how quickly Blue had welcomed me, and I was secretly pleased. She likely had no clue just how loyal emberwolves were as a species. Which meant Blue had sized me up and given his approval.
His witch was another matter altogether.
“He’s incredible,” I breathed. I hadn’t seen an emberwolf in years, and they were one of my favorite magickal beings. “How is he settling in?”
“He’s grand,” Sloane said, and Blue shifted in her arms, his attention going to the food on the counter.
“No fire mishaps?” I asked, and Sloane’s gaze whipped to mine. Was that a flash of guilt I saw? “It’s totally normal, Sloane. It takes an emberwolf a long time to have total command over their fire.”
“You know them, then?” Broca asked.
“I raised one for a few years before he picked his witch. I still miss him,” I admitted. Testing Blue, I reached out again, and he scrambled to come into my arms. Cradling him against my chest, I laughed as he gave my face a sloppy lick, while Sloane simmered in frustration.
“I feel like a new mom,” Sloane admitted. “I have so much to learn about them.”
“Well, let’s start with his gift, then, shall we?” I walked over with the large shopping bag, and Blue tilted his head, interested.
“He seems intrigued. What say you, Blue? Do you want a pressie?” Sloane asked and then nodded at me to open it for him. Bending, I put Blue next to the bag on the ground and pulled out the large castle. “Is that a freaking castle? Of course you’d bring us a castle.”
“You really have a chip on your shoulder about castles, don’t you? I thought girls loved castles. Being a princess and fairy tales and all that.”
“Are you a prince?” Sloane’s mouth dropped open.
“No.” I grinned. “But I am royal. I’m a knight.”
“Aren’t you supposed to live down in the barracks or whatever they’re called, then? Not in a fancy house on the hill?”
“Nope. The knights need to be close to protect the prince, don’t they?”
“And where is the prince, then?” Sloane asked, crouching next to Blue.
“Nobody knows. He absconded somewhere in the late eighteenth century, and my family took over the castle and theprotection of Briarhaven. We’re officially the ‘royal’ family, so to speak. I’m First Knight of the Iron Thistle Order and am duty bound to protect the village and its inhabitants. Hence my need to rectify this snow situation as soon as possible. I have no choice, Sloane. It’s my vow.”
“Huh.” Sloane completely ignored my plea, nibbling on her lower lip as she watched Blue sniff the castle. “What’s he supposed to do with that?”
“I’ve been told you hide treats inside and if he burns the doors open, he can get to them.”
“Burns?” Sloane’s eyebrows winged up.
“It’s specifically for emberwolves. It’s protected. Give it a go.”
“Hmmm.” Sloane gave me a suspicious look, but she went to the fridge and pulled out a container of cut-up bits of cheese, distracting Blue. He scrambled on the floor, and then took to the air in his haste to get to Sloane, almost clipping me in the cheek with his wing.
“Whoa, buddy, slow down there.” I laughed, delighted to see him winging around the room like a clunky dragon. Sloane chucked me the container of cheese, which I caught while Blue gave chase, and ducked once more before he took my head off in his attempt to get to the cheese. “Hang on, hang on. I promise you’ll get your cheese.”
Blue landed on the arm of the couch, perching as he watched me crouch next to the castle. I looked up at him and pointed to the toy.
“So what I’m going to do is hide the cheese inside here. Your job is to find the cheese. Got it?”
Blue grinned at me. I made quick work of hiding the cheese in various rooms in the castle and then stepped back.
“Go ahead, Blue. Play with your toy.” Sloane still sounded reluctant, but I could tell she wanted to see how Blue would respond.
