Chapter 23 #2
“Does it?” Callum said, gripping her elbow to steady her. Felix’s claws extended, making it sound like he was tap dancing on the stones as he walked. He could just kill the witch. There was no one around. Who would see? He would happily tap dance on his corpse.
“The council matched my parents. Together they became the youngest council members in history.”
“So romantic,” Avery muttered.
“I think it is, actually.” Callum’s grip tightened on her elbow, and Felix’s ears flattened against his skull. “They built something greater than themselves.”
Avery rubbed the back of her neck, her nervousness traveling down the bond like bugs he desperately wanted to shake off. “Right.”
“Your parents’ marriage was arranged, right?”
Avery stiffened at the mention of her dad, looking around like she wanted to escape. A spike of grief came down the bond, hitting between his ribs and taking his breath away. By some miracle, Callum noticed and didn’t press her further.
They continued to walk in silence until the trees seemed to thin and stop in a line. There was no clearing; instead, there was a large green hedge with an arched iron gate in the middle. Avery looked up at it, stumbling backward.
“Easy there.” Callum laughed. “Maybe we should sit?” He guided her over to a bench outside the hedge. The wood was old and rotted, moss crawling along its planks. Hopefully, it broke under Callum.
“What is this place?” Avery asked.
“It’s a maze—my father actually took my mother here on their first date. When I had a dream about it last night, I knew I had to take you too.”
Felix clawed at the dirt, stretching his back as he tried to shake the irritation coursing through him. The cold mud did nothing but piss him off more. Cold paws were the worst.
“Callum,” Avery said, pulling the jacket around herself as the fog floated around their feet. Felix’s whiskers twitched, picking up something in the air that made his hackles rise.
“Can I tell you something?” Callum’s voice became gentle. “My mother tells this story about how nervous she was the first time they had dinner together. She spilled soup all over herself.”
Avery let out a laugh. “Really?”
“Really,” he laughed. “And my father just handed her his napkin and told her a joke to make her feel better. Just like tonight.”
Just like tonight? Felix’s ears swiveled forward. Was this asshole seriously comparing Avery to his mother again?
Callum smiled at the memory. “They weren’t in love at first. But they built their life together. Something strong.” He paused. “The thing they had most in common, though, was that they were ambitious, and it made them unstoppable.”
“That’s... nice,” Avery said.
“It is.” Callum turned to look at her. “They always tell me that love is a choice. That real partnership is about choosing someone who makes you better. Someone you can build a life with.”
Felix involuntarily gagged like he had a furball, earning a glare from Callum while Avery only stifled a laugh behind her fingers.
“I know this might seem sudden.” Callum reached out, taking her hand delicately like a doll he would break. “But I’ve admired you for years, Avery. Since we were kids. You’re brilliant and funny, and you don’t give yourself nearly enough credit.”
“Just a reminder he said you reminded him of his mother.” He purred as he felt her confusion rippling through the bond.
“I think we could be good together,” Callum continued. His thumb brushed over her knuckles. “Really good. I could help you with your studies. My family has resources and connections. And you, you’d make me better too. You always have.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything yet.” His smile was hopeful. “I just wanted you to know how I feel.”
“I...” Avery started. Her voice still carried the slight slur of wine. “I need time to think.”
“Of course.” Callum squeezed her hand. “Take all the time you need.”
They sat in silence for a moment, the night stilling along with their conversation.
“You’re shivering,” Callum said softly. He shifted closer, arm moving to wrap around her shoulders. “Here.”
Felix’s vision narrowed at the contact. The warmth that should be his, not this preening peacock’s He shouldn’t be jealous; he had no right to be, but with Avery, he was a frog in boiling water. And soon he would be absolutely cooked.
“Better?” Callum asked.
Avery nodded, but Felix felt how uncomfortable she was through the bond. She didn’t want this. Her body was rigid, tense. He could see it even from here, the way her shoulders had gone stiff. She didn’t pull away, though.
Enough.
He jumped on the bench, meowing and forcibly wedged himself between them, using his small body to pry them apart as far as possible. God, his dignity had flown so far.
“Your familiar is uh…attentive,” Callum said.
Avery snorted. “Yeah, something like that.”
“I really do care about you,” Callum murmured. Turning toward her, his free hand came up to brush a strand of hair from her face. “I have for so long.”
“Callum...”
“I know you’re scared. I know everything feels uncertain right now.” His touch lingered for a second too long, and every fur on Felix’s body stood up. “But I promise, if you give me a chance, I’ll show you what we could be.”
Time slowed as Callum leaned in slowly. Giving her time to move, to protest. His eyes started to close, lips parting slightly. Oh, this fucker was really going to do it. He was really going to kiss her.
Avery hesitated.
Do it. Knee him in the balls. Headbutt him. Something!
She didn’t. Time slowed as Callum puckered his lips toward her. Not on his furry watch. She was far too nice to do anything. Felix surged his anger through the bond, pushing it all into Avery.
In a split second, Avery’s hand came up and connected with his face. The slap rang out across the clearing was the best sound he had ever goddamn heard. A moonlight slap sonata, if you will. Felix purred loudly. He had never been proud of a witch. This was a first.
“Are you serious?” Avery said, turning toward Felix, her voice laced with anger.
Oops.
Avery went to smooth it over but before she could, Callum stood up suddenly, burying his face in his hands. “I am so sorry, I completely misread the situation.”
Felix purred even louder as a little bit of blood fell from Callum’s nose.
Callum looked around, embarrassment flooding his face. “I should go. I’m sorry.”
He started to turn around, then stopped. “Oh, my jacket?” he said, before turning around with an open palm.
Avery raised her eyebrows at him and shrugged off his jacket as if she were shaking off a bug. And with that, the clueless oaf did a ding-dong ditch and left Avery gaping and shaking her head as she watched him walk away.
Once he was out of sight, Felix shifted to his human form. A shit-eating grin plastered onto his face.
“Don’t even fucking start, Felix,” she said.