Page 48 of Woven Souls

“Why’d you run?”

Her lips press together as her pupils narrow on me. “I didn’t run. I wanted to get changed before I started breakfast.”

It’s still pretty early. It’s hardly six in the morning.

“Looked like running to me.”

Because she was. Willow wears her emotions on her face, and it was clear as she hurried out of the room and disappeared up the stairs that she was embarrassed.

“Well, for your information, I’m not a fan of running, or any type of exercise for that matter, so I highly doubt I did anything of the sort. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll need some space to cook.”

She saunters over to the refrigerator. I’m there before she can open it. Stepping between her and her destination, I cross my arms over my chest.

Willow eyes me suspiciously. “Are you going to beat your chest like you did with Jonah now?”

I snort.

“No, that was a monster thing I couldn’t control.Thishowever—”

“Is something you can’t control either.”

I watch as Willow’s hands come up. I know where they’re going, and if I allow it, I know her attitude will be locked into place. So, I grab both hands before they can fuse themselves onto her hips.

“I’m not trying to control you, Willow.” I pull her into me before wrapping my arms around her.

“Good because—”

I silence her with a kiss. When I pull away, she blinks rapidly a few times.

“What was that for?”

“For seeing through Viktor’s rough exterior.” I can’t believe I’m saying this. When I came snooping to see what Willow was up to after she’d slipped out of bed and never come back, I was furious to find them whispering in the kitchen like secret lovers. But when I focused on what was being said, my mood shifted. Hearing Viktor trying to be vulnerable and open up after all these years, it was like witnessing a miracle.

I will love her as passionately as I will fuck her.

Somehow Willow has gotten under Viktor’s skin.

“You’re really not mad?”

Willow searches my face for some sign I could be lying. She won’t find anything.

“No.” Jealous perhaps, but not mad. “Come on. I want to help you make breakfast this morning.”

She doesn’t move.

“You’re okay with me fooling around with Viktor and don’t bat an eye when I tell you that my father is Death. You’re either very good at hiding what you’re feeling, or you’re unperturbed by it all.”

We didn’t get to talk about her revelation last night. After a quick dinner for all of us since she and Viktor hadn’t actually gotten to eat, Willow collapsed into bed and was out like a light.

But there’s really nothing to talk about. “You’ve given me no reason to be afraid of you.”

Willow shakes her head and steps out of my arms.

“Oh? Last night’s magic show wasn’t enough?” She waves me out of the way, and I step aside so she can get into the refrigerator.

“Was that your intention? To scare us?” I already know the answer, but she confirms it when she shakes her head. “Good, because it didn’t.”

She smiles and moves about the kitchen, pulling pans, bowls, and food out as she goes. Her grocery store order had been thorough. When a random driver dropped off nearly twenty bags of food, Theodon’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head.

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