Page 37 of Happily Ever Witch
“Well, you don’t have to be afraid tonight.” His assurance was grudging. “I’m not about to let you dissolve on the mattress beside me. It would be a mess in the morning.”
“I told you, I don’t want you casting a waterproofing spell on me.”
“I didn’t. But, I have enough magic to ensure that the windows stay shut and the ceiling stays dry.”
“Are you going to try and demand sexual favors in return?”
“I can’t, sadly. The spell is as much for me, as it is for you.” He sighed tragically. “I’m not thrilled with the idea of getting wet, either. Keeping the rain out is only practical and the roof may not be sound. Nothing else in this abysmal kingdom is. Magic seems like the best option.”
More silence.
“Thank you.” Esmeralda eventually whispered.
She felt him start in surprise and it occurred to her that Trevelyan probably didn’t get thanked a lot, because he didn’t help anyone except himself. Esmeralda closed her eyes and felt strangely secure, curled up beside the biggest villain in the world.
“If you really wanted to show your appreciation, I could think of some ways…”
“Good night, Trev.”
Her long-suffering interruption seemed to amuse him. “I rarely do anything ‘Good,’ you know. Even nights.”
“I can wish you aBadnight, if you’d rather. I don’t mind.”
“No, I’ll take what I can get, from you.” He was smiling. She could tell. “Sleep well, darling. You’re safe.”
Esmeralda’s eyes snapped open.
With me, you are always safe, my darling. I love you more than magic itself.
The voice and the words had played in her head a thousand times. Reaching out to soothe her through storms, as she’d drifted off to sleep.
Trevelyan.
It was really him. He was so powerful that he’d felt her fear and he’d responded with comfort. Only he didn’t seem to know it.
Esmeralda stared at the mountain of pillows separating them and, for the first time, she fully accepted that the man on the other side was her True Love. He might not work in a record store, but he was the one she’d been waiting for. He’d finally arrived. And he’d just said “good night” to her, sounding so much like she’d imagined he’d sound.
Maybe that was a sign.
Maybe this True Love match might work out, if she helped it along.
Maybe shecouldteach him.
Chapter Eight
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The Heart Castle
Trevelyan was half-convinced this was all some trick of Marrok’s design.
That bastard could have sent the witch to Trevelyan just to fuck with him. To confuse everything and make Trevelyan’s life infinitely harder. He certainly wouldn’t put it past the wolf. Marrok had always been cleverer than his golden-boy looks suggested and he had a True Love of his own, so he must know how annoying they could be. If Trevelyan was smart (And Trevelyan wasverysmart. Ask anyone. Especially Trevelyan.) he’d walk away from Esmeralda before things got even more mixed up in his head.
So why was he searching all over the damn castle for her, instead?
