Page 44 of Happily Ever Witch
Trevelyan was honestly flabbergasted. Who had ever heard of one mate refusing another? “Even if you don’t ‘believe in me,’” his tone was mocking because that whole idea was ludicrous, “your resistance makes no sense!”
She casually flipped him off.
Did she not understand that this had already been decided?
He tried to break it down into her cultural framework. “We’re True Loves. In some kingdoms, that means an instant marriage.” He snapped his fingers to illustrate the speed of the bond. “Witches sleep with their husbands, I’m sure.”
“Only if our husbands aren’t dickweeds.” She retorted. “Also, we’renotmarried. You can tell, because we never signed a marriage scroll in front of a wizard and had a big reception with a cake.”
No wizard or scroll or cake could tell Trevelyan if he was married or not. Only he decided that.
“And we’re not getting married, either.” Esmeralda continued. “And even if we were getting married, Istillwouldn’t sleep with you, after your little detour into sparkly-eyed Good girl obsession.”
“I just told you I’d give up my experiment, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, but I hold a grudge.” She shrugged like there was nothing in the world she could do about it.
He made a frustrated sound. “I haven’t had sex in two years!”
Longer. Ever since the incident with Snow White, he’d been… off. He’d forced himself to sleep with that psychopath, so she’d let her guard down and he could escape. It had been the only way to survive, thanks to Marrok. But the distasteful incident hadn’t faded from Trevelyan’s mind as quickly as he’d expected. Esmeralda was the first woman in forever that he felt real desire for and she was completely wasting it!
“You wereasleepfor two years.” Esmeralda rolled her eyes. “I think you can get through the sexual deprivation. Eat your pancakes, before you give yourself an aneurism.”
Trevelyan had rarely been so frustrated. “Why I want to keep you is a total mystery to me, right now.” He shoved away from the table, ignoring the breakfast she’d made.
Esmeralda blinked. “You want to keep me?” She repeated in a less flippant tone.
“Iamkeeping you.” That part was decided, although he was sure that he’d regret it bitterly. “I’ll be in Alice’s office.”
“Again? Why? We tore that place apart…?”
He cut her off. “Stay where I can hear you, if you yell.” He ordered. He wasn’t going to come rushing to her rescue, even if shedidcall out, of course. No way in the frozen-hells. Let Marrok do it, since she loved him so much. Maybe when she realized that the wolf wasn’t able to help, Esmeralda would finally come around to the winning side of the war.
“Trev, what are you up to now?”
He kept walking, his mind switching back to something he could control. Something that made sense. He needed tolook at every book on those damn shelves (and floor), until he figured out why that tiara was so important.
“Trevelyan.” Her tone was insistent and a little desperate, not liking his brooding exit. “Tell me something true. Right now.”
He stopped, but he didn’t turn around.
Esmeralda waited and he could feel her tension, like she was worried he wouldn’t play. He shouldn’t. He was irritated. And it really was a strange game, since no one could win. Plus, he hated giving her unvarnished information, because it left him feeling…irritated. Technically, he could’ve stayed within the rules simply by telling her it was raining outside. That was true. But that wasn’t how the game went and they both seemed to know it.
He stared at the pink-plastered wall in front of him. “I have to touch you soon.” He rubbed a hand over his face and gave into her demand, for no logical reason. “It’s not just because I want to. And Idowant to.” She had no idea how hot his desire was raging. If she did, she’d hide. “It’s also a biological need. Ineedmy scent on you. Dragons are scent-based creatures. I even think in smells, half the time. I can’t relax until I can scent myself all over your body, so everyone realizes who you belong to.”
“There’s nobody else here. Who’s even going to know what I smell like?”
“I’llknow.” And who else even mattered?
Esmeralda digested that for a beat.
“Do you believe me? About the need?”
“Yes.” She cleared her throat. “So… it would just be touching?”
“For now.”
“Alright. Give me a couple hours, so I can stop being so mad at you. Then, I’ll consider it.” It was a grudging acquiescence and they both knew it.
