8. Chapter 8 #2
Take after dinner, for example. Rowan had shown him to the infirmary ward in the fortress, where the two guards were convalescing, and Milo had set to healing them to the best of his abilities.
Not only had he been able to mend the worst of the gashes and speed up the healing of broken bones, but he’d had both men laughing by the time he left again.
It wasn’t just the magic Milo brought with him—it was hope and laughter.
No wonder he was growing addicted to the little mage.
Rowan kissed his forehead, keeping Milo close in his arms, pleased when he snuggled in farther. “My family likes you.”
“I can tell. I like them just as much. It’s always hell when you’re dating someone who your family despises. For me, it was only ever Ethel and Great-Aunt Anabelle whose opinions I had to consider, and while they were always right on the money, it was still hard to look past their opinions.”
“I wasn’t worried.”
“Really? I tried to convince myself I wasn’t, but I was stressing about meeting everyone, especially knowing how close you all are. Glad I don’t really have to stress anymore, except maybe with your other sister and parents.”
“Still not worried.”
“Aww, what a nice compliment.” Milo tilted his head back to blink ingenuous gray eyes at him. “So tomorrow, when I start working, are you going to be showing me around?”
“And guarding you, yes.”
“I hoped that was your answer.”
“Will you need anything?”
“Hmm, well, yes. I need paint and a brush.”
Paint and a brush…? “For the sigils?”
“Correct-a-doolie. I have removal spells for taking the sigils off, but I need paint to reapply them.”
“I’m sure we have some in storage. I thought you needed special paint?”
“No, any old paint will work. I just bespell the paint.”
“Ah.” He was sure they had normal paint, at least. Somewhere. Rowan had no idea where, but he also knew who to ask. “Anything else you need?”
“Nope! Nothing more than my magic and attention span. Granted, the second part is harder to wrangle.” A fierceness came over Milo’s expression just then, jaw clenched. “I won’t leave you defenseless. I promise you that.”
Ah, really, this man was too precious. Rowan kissed him softly. “Thank you.”
“Oh, and I totally wrote a letter to the Magic Council and reported that, according to Gravegarde’s ruling family, the last five or so mages sent up didn’t do the job right, and I recommended they be fined, but they should look into all the others who ignored the state of the ward as well.
Which reminds me, I fixed your magical postbox, though I’m downright incensed it was yet another thing those useless mages ignored! ”
Rowan was mentally thrown for a loop. Their magical postbox had been defunct for so long, Rowan had actually forgotten they had it. He was surprised Milo had acted so fast, too. “I’m glad.”
“Their licenses should be revoked for doing this shit. Like, seriously, the ward failing at the wrong time could have resulted in severe injury, possibly death. I do not condone incompetence. If they didn’t want to do the job, they should have turned it down.”
On that, Rowan absolutely agreed. “Are you overbuilding the wards because of what they did?”
“Hmm, yes and no? No in the sense that I really prefer backup plans. My first plan rarely goes perfectly. But yeah, I have to admit, they’ve utterly pissed me off. Now I feel like showing them up.”
A small part of Rowan felt amused by Milo’s outraged expression, but truly, he was more thankful than anything.
“Oh!” Milo suddenly jerked upright, half propped against Rowan’s chest. “I remembered the thing.”
“The thing?”
“The thing I forgot.” Milo flapped a hand at him like this was obvious.
“I called Ray earlier to reassure him I got here safe and all, and he told me that my ex showed up at the house again to try and get back with me. I swear, I was legally stupid when I agreed to date that moron. Mommy’s little disappointment keeps coming back to me since no one else is right for him.
Which is rich, considering how he treated me.
Anyway, Ray warned me that Andrew talked like he was going to come after me.
I don’t see him actually making a multiday trip to follow me up here, but if he does, do not hesitate. Just punch ’im.”
Rowan didn’t like the sound of this at all. Hopefully the ex was merely a stupid man puffing hot air. But in case he wasn’t… “If he shows his face, I will feed him to the Drachifel.”
“What a wonderful idea! Ooh, for that, I’m totally riding you.”
Rowan huffed a laugh when Milo scrambled up and immediately threw a leg over his thighs. “I’d like to point out I haven’t done anything yet?”
Milo stared down at him with a lecherous grin. “Shh, good ideas are rewarded. Plus, I totally know you’ll do it.”
Well, Milo had him there. To keep him safe and happy, Rowan was all too willing to feed his cheating ex to the Drachifel.
After all, no body, no crime.
Notes:
AJ: Milo? Aside from sexing up Rowan and working magic, do you have any other thoughts in your head
Milo: Of course I do. Snacks.
AJ: Ah, yes. The expected answer.