Page 48 of Love's a Witch
Ignoring his pleased look before he drove away, I stomped inside, my mood foul.
I couldn’t remember the last time that I’d been well and truly attracted to someone. I’d dated lightly here and there through the years, but none of my past lovers had ignited such need in me before. I paused just over the threshold as a thought occurred to me.
“Does coming into your magick make you…” I paused as I realized I was about to ask my grandmother if magick makes you horny.
“More irritating?” Nova offered from where she sat on the couch stroking Blue’s ears.
“Hungry?” Lyra asked from where she stood at the counter mixing a bowl of something.
“Lustful?” Broca beamed when the three of us all turned and gaped at her. “What? I’m not dead yet, ladies. And I’ve eyes, don’t I? This one’s just come in from being alone at the castle with a decidedly delicious specimen of a man, her face is flushed, hair is mussed, and she’s vibrating with tension. I know a cat in heat when I see one.”
I bristled, literally bristled, as Nova threw her head back and howled with laughter. Blue matched her, raising his head back to howl along, and that made her laugh even harder.
“Cat. In. Heat,” Nova gasped, wiping at her eyes.
“I should order him to torch you,” I muttered, dropping my bag on the side table and walking over to slump next to Nova on thecouch. Blue immediately abandoned Nova and wiggled his way on his belly across the couch to me, licking the back of my hand.
“Hey, buddy,” I said, booping his nose. Remembering about Oswald, I decided to change the subject. “Knox says he can talk to animals. Can I do that with Blue?”
“Aye, lass. Though it will just be with Blue, as he’s your familiar. Just like I can with my sweet Iris. Not everyone has the power to talk to all the animals like Knox does. We can get you sorted, though. It’s an easy enough spell.” Broca’s eyes were alight with interest as she studied me through her sparkly glasses. “How did the meeting go?”
“Yeah, what were you doing cozying up in the castle with Knoxy boy?” Nova winked at me.
My despair must have shown on my face, because Nova instantly dropped the act and reached for my hand.
“Hey, you okay?”
“Did something happen, Sloane?” Lyra rounded the counter, wiping her hands on her apron. Even with a dusting of flour on her cheek, she looked beautiful. Like Knox. She and Knox should be the ones to get together. World domination would be an easy enough feat if they partnered up.
Thinking about Knox with another woman, even in a rhetorical sense, made my heart drop.
“Um.” I shrugged, focusing on stroking Blue’s soft ears.
“Don’t be shy, darling. I’ve had far more lovers than you. I’m well aware of how Part B fits into Slot A,” Broca said.
I choked, and Nova reached over, slapping my back helpfully.
“Could we not?” I gasped, shaking my head at Broca. “Bloody hell, woman. I’m doing my best to stay polite here.”
“Why bother? So you shagged Knox. We all knew this was coming.” Nova rolled her eyes.
“I did not—”
“It was about time.” Lyra nodded.
“About time? We’ve been here like five—”
“Was he good? Man, I hope he was. What a disappointment if someone who looks like that couldn’t deliver an orgasm.” Nova clucked her mouth in disapproval.
The word “orgasm” hung in the air of the living room, and I raised both hands.
“Stop, please stop. No, we did not shag. We kissed. And during said kiss, I lit his curtains on fire and almost burned his house down.”
“Oh, such a shame.” Lyra gave me a sympathetic look and patted my shoulder before returning to the kitchen. “You know what would make this better? Pie. A Scotch pie, to be exact.”
“I don’t want food. I want to bury my head under my covers and not come out until my magick is fixed.”
“That’s not like you at all,” Nova said, crossing her arms over her shaggy black sweater. “You’re always in charge.”
