Page 10 of The Salted Sceptre
I quashed the guilt and embarrassment and kissed his cheek. Then I got out of the car.
The adrenaline from the encounter with Athair had already faded and there was a strange, empty feeling inside me. The night air felt colder now, although it was probably no different; the only change was the absence of dangerous magical fires flaring up out of nowhere.
I shoved my hands in my pockets and crossed the road, marching up the High Street until I reached the other side of Fleshmarket Close. From its depths, I could hear the faint murmur of voices but they were too low to make out any distinct words.
I didn’t hesitate but scurried past, heading for the lights of the small church instead. The rush of warmth as I walked through the doors helped, and I kept my head high as I strolled into the meeting room and took a seat.
Several heads turned towards me, some in recognition. Meetings like this were available at all hours. They had to be.
‘Hi,’ I said. ‘My name is Daisy Carter and I’m a drug addict.’
I knewI ought to get out of bed; given the events of the previous night – and what was to come later today – there was a lot to think about and even more to do. I’d slept soundly enough and it was clear from the chink of light shining through the gap in the curtains that the sun was already high in the sky, but I couldn’t bring myself to move. I was too comfortable where I was, with the duvet wrapped around my legs and Hugo’s body pressed against my back, his breath tickling my nape.
‘Busy old fool, unruly sun,’ Hugo whispered into my ear. ‘Why dost thou thus, Through windows, and through curtains call on us?’
I squinted. ‘Huh?’
‘John Donne. Something about being here with you makes me want to quote poetry.’ He laughed softly. ‘My old English teacher would be shocked.’
‘I could return the favour and recite “Ode to the Penis” to you,’ I suggested slyly. I’d come across the poem during our last big treasure hunt when we’d tracked down a golden chess set – and Athair had revealed himself to me.
‘Rather than recite,’ he said, ‘you could show my heavenly penis your appreciation instead. Or,’ he nibbled my earlobe, ‘you could fetch a bowl of chocolate ice cream and feed it to me for breakfastthenshow your appreciation.’
I snorted. ‘You’re very demanding for someone who’s supposedly in thrall to me.’
‘There’s no “supposedly” about it.’ He dipped his head and planted very small, albeit very tingly kisses along my jawline.
I moaned slightly. ‘Chocolate ice cream is not a healthy breakfast.’
Hugo’s left hand snaked downwards and cupped my breast while the base of his thumb brushed against my nipple. His right hand caressed my hip. ‘In that case,’ he murmured, ‘I’ll forego the ice cream and have you for breakfast instead.’
‘Except I’m not very healthy to be around at the moment either.’ I turned over to face him. ‘Do you think I did the right thing?’
Hugo’s hands halted in their roving quest and his expression grew serious. ‘With Athair?’ I nodded. ‘What else could you have done? He left you with little choice.’
‘If I trained harder, maybe I’d be more equipped to beat him in a fight.’
Hugo stiffened. ‘And you’d give him even more reason to stop trying to turn you into a fiend like him and strike you dead. You can’t let that happen.Ican’t let that happen. I can’t do this without you.’
‘This?’
His voice was gruff. ‘Life.’ He took my hand and placed it flat against his chest; I could feel his heartbeat beneath my fingertips. ‘You’re a part of me now, Daisy. You occupy me, body and soul. And nobody, not even Athair, will take you away from me or change that.’ There was a loud clang from the other room followed by a furious yell from Hester. ‘Not even those damned brownies,’ he muttered.
I smiled slightly. ‘I love you.’
Hugo didn’t smile back. ‘I love you too. You don’t know what it does to me when you keep putting yourself in harm’s way.’
‘You’re in greater danger than I am.’ We both knew that Athair would happily hurt anyone I loved if he thought it would advance his cause.
‘You’re the one he wants.’
‘You’re the one he’ll kill when he doesn’t get what he wants.’
Hugo was silent for a second, then he said, ‘You’re right. So really, when it comes down to it, I’m still a bigger hero than you are.’
I rolled my eyes in exasperation but I also grinned. ‘Piss off.’
Hugo smirked and planted a kiss on my mouth. ‘That’s more like it.’ He kissed me again. ‘I’m going to prove that I’m more of a hero than you tonight. While you’re off being wined and dined, I’m going to take advantage of the situation.’
