Chapter 18
Penny
Whatever panic I had been feeling just seconds ago disappeared the moment I was in Prax’s arms. As cliché as it sounded, I knew everything would be all right now. I wasn’t sure if it was the love-finder spell’s doing or because I knew he’d do all he could to help me, but I didn’t care right now.
He seemed just as happy to see me, enveloping me in his arms. But when I stepped away and he got a good look at my face, his smile turned to a frown.
“You’ve overexerted yourself,” he growled sharply. “I’ve seen witches do this before. It’s dangerous. Never do it again.”
For a second, I felt a flash of anger that he was telling me what to do, but then I realized his words stemmed from worry and not the desire to control me. Gigi and Lily were right: Prax did care about me.
“I feel fine.” I gave his hand a small squeeze. “Tired, but fine. Gigi’s the one who’s over-extended.” I looked at my friend, who was on the couch surrounded by her possessions and with a bird on her head.
Prax looked over at my friend. “Hey, Triscuit!”
Triscuit bobbed up and down and replied, “Triscuit wanna biscuit!”
That had Prax grinning. He turned to my friend. “You look exhausted too.”
“I’ll be fine,” Gigi insisted. “I just need a shit ton of food, some time with all my things, and quality sleep.”
“But you’re still maintaining the wards,” I said.
“Yes, but the wizard isn’t trying to get in anymore.”
I went to the window, still holding Prax’s hand.
“Ohh. That’s cuz he’s focusing all his energy on not being axed to death.”
Prax peered through the curtains. “It really is pandemonium outside. I thought maybe you were exaggerating.”
“They won’t be fighting forever,” I said. “Eventually, someone’s going to win. And I’m sure the neighbors or a passerby have called the police already. They or the EA are going to show up at some point, and I don’t want to be here when that happens.”
I was dealing with enough shit already. I didn’t need the EA investigating and linking me to the chaos outside.
“It’s going to be all over the news,” Gigi said. “But hey, any publicity is good publicity, right? Maybe more people will come and visit The Witch’s Brew!”
How could she be so positive at a time like this?
“Okay, here’s the plan,” I said. “Prax is going to help me open a portal so I can get out of here. Then we’re going to find a spell that will hide my presence while we figure out how to end this madness.”
Griselda frowned. “How’s he going to help open a portal?”
Prax had caught onto my plan already. “I’m going to help her recharge.”
“Oh. Ohh!” Gigi said, understanding dawning. “Okie dokie. You two have fun. I’ll be here recharging myself.” She giggle-yawned. “But not like that. Oh, before you go, can you grab me the frozen sheet cake from the freezer?”
“Sure thing.”
I handed her the entire foil tray and a spoon.
“Aren’t you going cut it into pieces?” Prax asked.
“Nope,” Griselda said.
She made a hole right in the middle of the cake and dug in.
Prax stared in horror. “She’s… She’s eating it from the middle.”
I laughed. “It’s her cake. She can eat it any way she wants. Come on.” I led him to the spare room.
Unfortunately, with everything going on outside, I was on edge and definitely not in the mood. Prax noticed, and his arms went around me, pulling me to his body. His touch wasn’t filled with his usual high voltage lust and sexual energy, but something calming.
“Relax, little witch. You are safe for now. I won’t let you be harmed.”
He sat on the bed and pulled me into his lap before taking my chin in his hand and tilting my face up to look at his. His eyes glowed with supernatural fire. That would have scared me before, but now it just warmed my soul. I had my own monster to protect me.
His wonderful scent surrounded me, and I closed my eyes, letting the feel of him and his presence block out everything else. He started at the shell of my ear with tiny kisses and nibbles.
The last time he’d touched me, he’d been demanding and full of need. But this time, it was different, like he was savoring and worshiping every part of my body. Slowly, I relaxed, letting his lips and fingers nip and massage me onto a cloud of bliss.
Gentle magic lapped at the edge of my consciousness, slowly growing stronger. It wasn’t powerful and explosive like before when we’d fucked. This was a slow, steady trickle. I didn’t need actual sex to recharge. Just touch, the right type, was enough. And Prax had known.
“My good little witch,” he murmured against my ear. “You are mine to care for. Let me do all the work.”
I nodded as one hand slipped under my top and the other sneaked down and into my waistband.