Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
I fucked up. There’s no other way to look at it. It’s been so long since I was with someone for any length of time, and I’m so used to magical pendants preventing pregnancy that I never bothered to ask if Catalina had a human version in place. It never even occurred to me.
Fool.
Selfish, damned fool.
Ramanu guides the woman toward us with a hand on her back. “This is Lenora. She’ll get you sorted, love.”
Lenora gives me a sharp look, and I have to fight not to hold Catalina even closer. Either I trust Ramanu to ensure this is done, or I don’t. I don’t think they’re out to commit harm against Catalina, but I don’t know this stranger. “Who are you?” I ask.
“I just said—”
The woman raises her hand, cutting Ramanu off. She’s got lightly tanned skin that might be from the sun or genetics, long dark hair, and sharp features. She also has an aura of magic around her that almost seems to bite at the air. Dangerous.
She holds my gaze. “I’m a witch, and I know more about this sort of thing than you do, so release the girl, and she and I are going to have a nice little conversation, and then if it’s what she wants, I will walk you both through the steps.”
Catalina pats my chest again. “It’s okay,” she repeats.
Letting her go is the hardest thing I’ve done in a very long time. I want to keep her wrapped up, but I helped put her in this position, and I can’t protect her without help. Goddess, I really am a fool.
I’m tense as I watch Lenora and Catalina move just out of earshot. Lenora doesn’t exactly go soft, but she’s clearly taking care with Catalina as they speak. I’m grateful for that, even if I don’t like this witch much.
“How did this happen?”
I glance at Ramanu. “I don’t think I should have to explain the biology of it.”
“Not that.” They swipe a hand over their bare skull. “There are dozens of birth control options. Why didn’t you request one for her?”
Shame heats my skin. “It didn’t occur to me.”
“It didn’t . . .” They shake their head sharply. “Azazel would rip your heart right out of your chest if you said such a foolish thing to him. I highly suggest you don’t.” They look back at the women. “I should have been here. If I’d realized you were fucking, I would have suggested it myself.”
I don’t ask where they were. I saw the way they touched Lenora, and they have what looks like a binding mark on their arm. There’s a story there, but I honestly couldn’t care less about it. Not in this moment. “There have been a lot of missteps with this situation, but the blame lays solely with me.”
“Yes, well, make it right.” They hesitate. “You’re shit at the soft stuff, Thane. Unless something’s changed in the past few weeks, I suggest you let me take her back to the castle while she recovers. She’s going to be a bit raw emotionally, even if it’s just with relief, and if you open your mouth and say some foolish shit, you’re going to hurt her.”
“I would cut my own heart out of my chest before I hurt her.”
Their mouth works for a few beats, but no sound comes out. Ramanu clears their throat. “Things really have progressed between you two.”
“Okay, this is how it’s going to work.” Lenora approaches again, an arm around her shoulders. She keeps her voice soft as she speaks to Catalina. “I have a potion that will do the trick, as well as a secondary one to ensure you’re comfortable. A little magic will help it along. Any questions?”
“How fast can you make the potion?” Catalina asks.
Lenora shares a look with Ramanu. “Give them a few minutes to collect my things, and we’ll start immediately.”
Catalina’s shoulders slump. “Good. I want this done.”
“Of course, honey. We’ll get it done.” Lenora gives me a sharp look. “And you, don’t say anything that makes me want to hex you.”
I expected the worry and guilt. I didn’t expect the fear that rises in a wave I can’t escape. I know what this sort of thing requires from one of my people, but humans are a different story altogether. I’ve almost forgotten how small Catalina is compared to the rest of us. Surely it’s so much easier to break her. To do something that meant she wouldn’t wake up afterward. “How dangerous is this?”
“No more dangerous than most other medical procedures.” Lenora shrugs. “Less dangerous than childbirth itself.”
People die in childbirth. Even with all the magic we have at our disposal. It’s something I’ve always taken as fact. Now I want to rail at the goddess herself for the risks involved. “Have you done this before? Because if not, I’ll go find someone more capable. Catalina deserves the best, and—”