Page 42 of Happily Ever Witch
She got defensive. “Well, you want someone Good, so…”
“I don’t want her for anythingkind, though. I haven’t wanted anyonekindsince I was thirteen and had the passing desire to corrupt the prom queen. I quickly came to my senses and just fucked my algebra teacher, instead.”
Esmeralda’s lips parted. “Your teacher slept with you? When you werethirteen? That’s against the law in every kingdom I know of.”
“Also, the experience was horribly mediocre.” He shrugged the matter aside, because he didn’t like discussing Mrs. Clyburn. The dragon got restless just thinking about her.
The witch still seemed concerned.
Trevelyan wasn’t sure why he’d even brought this up. He quickly refocused on what mattered. “Anyway, it’s not like I want tokeepany sparkly-eyed girls. That’s the point. I have no desire for a long-term commitment to their reeking Goodness.” The very idea was repellent.
He just wanted to find out what made those glowing girls glow. It was simple curiosity. Now that he stopped to consider it, he couldn’t muster much enthusiasm for his science project anyway. Sleeping with them would be tedious. None of the women would smell as perfect as Esmeralda did. None of them would keep his interest for hours, waiting to see what she’d say next.
That’swhat he wanted. To have someone who never bored him and smelled like poisoned candy. He was a dragon!Why shouldn’t he have exactly what he wanted? Why should he have to settle for less than everything?
Apparently, Esmeralda planned to use the monogamy exclusion to find an actual partner, though. Someone to spend her time and attention on. Someone she desired for his talents and goddamn niceness. Someone to give her loyalty to. Someone shechose.
She wanted to select another mate.
NO.
The dragon roared so loudly that Trevelyan’s whole body jerked.
Esmeralda didn’t notice. “I feel like you’re micromanaging me, right now.” She told him, around a mouthful of food. “You want to sleep with sparkly girls. I want my guitar player. That’s a fair deal. You said yourself we needed to lead separate lives.”
“I never said that.”
“You did to and you know it.”
He had said it. He didn’t care.
A strange calm settled over Trevelyan. Every single part of him –all the deep and evil hollows-- sighted on the witch. And he decided. Just that fast.
Because, it wasn’t a choice, so much as Trevelyan realizing it was the only possible option. Esmeralda wasn’t getting another mate. She washismate, whether either of them liked it or not. He wasn’t sure why it had to be her. Perhaps it was the damn True Love bond. Perhaps it was the green color of her magic, pitifully weak as it was. Perhaps it was the way she’dhappily smiled at him, when he complimented her nail polish creations. But whatever the reason, all of Trevelyan’s instincts told him that she was the one.
Esmeralda would do for his mate.
He’ddecided.
As soon as the choice was made, he felt the dragon relax. For the first time since the WUB Club, the monster’s fury fully dissipated. The relentless prowling stopped and the smoke cleared. The dragon watched Esmeralda with arrogant pleasure, content with their prize. Soothed.
Trevelyan drew in a deep breath, astonished at how much better he suddenly felt.
Yes. This was the right path. The only path, really. Sooner or later, Trevelyan would’ve gotten himself a mate, anyway. It might as well be the witch. He could comb the world over and not find another woman so ludicrously bold, after all. At least their children would have some fire.
Esmeralda forked up another bite of pancake. “Hey, do you think we should tell each other, before we have sex with new people? It might slow things down, if there’s any instant chemistry. Like, if my cute, smiling boyfriend had a concert and I was just incredibly drawn to his creativity and kindness. I don’t want to have to go and findyou, before I strip his pants off.”
Trevelyan tilted his head at a predatory angle.
Anyone else in the universe would have stopped talking at that point.
Esmeralda kept talking. “But on the other hand, a quick chat between us might be smart, too. To make sure neither ofus is feeling left out.” She shot him a vaguely concerned look. “I don’t want you to feel left out, Trev.”
“Oh, I plan to meet any and all guitar players you want to bed. Introduce me to the boys.”
“Yeah?”
“I insist, darling.” His eyes glowed. “I’ll kill them, right in front of you. Then, I’ll fuck you myself, still covered in their blood and ashes.” His smile wasn’t particularly friendly. “I think we’d both like that.”
