“Oh,” I say, feeling my cheeks go red. “I am glad that my weakness and humiliation are of use to you.”
He laughs, a solid genuine laugh, and I know he is going to be to be okay. He sobers up and gives me a serious look. “Mind if I crash here for a while?” he asks.
I give him a quizzical look back. “Of course. You are family, Cade. Your place is here.” Seem to be saying that a lot this morning.
“Thanks,” he mumbles. “I really don’t fancy my chances out there.” He gestures to beyond the wall and I must agree. He will be vulnerable, and I will not get a second chance to rescue him. My bridge has been well and truly burned.
“I get that,” I say. “You will be safe here, I promise you.”
He nods and we sit in silence for a beat. “Sibling. How exactly did that happen? I thought you weren’t able to be re-turned.”
“Remiel is different, so am I,” I say with a shrug.
“Oh. Just so we are clear, there will be none of that sibling and sire hanky-panky going on, so don’t even ask.” His look of utter disgust makes me laugh.
“Oh, don’t worry. I think Remiel would rather die again than have a three-way, especially with another man. He is very innocent despite his age.”
“Really,” he drawls, not believing me for a second.
“Really,” I state and then stand up. “I do need to find Devon, if you’ll excuse me.”
“By the topiary garden thing,” he says, pointing towards said garden, as he lies back down on the bench and closes his eyes.
“Thanks,” I mutter and amble off in that direction.
I pause when I see him and Marguerite, partially hidden by a large conifer shaped into a twisty-swirly form.
He leans into her to whisper something in her ear and her face lights up as she beams up at him.
Oh no! I know that look. I have seen it on the doe-eyed faces of thousands of women over the centuries. She has fallen for him in the worst way, but I know by his stance that he doesn’t feel the same. He is standing back from her, creating a distance between their bodies. So what is all that about? I know he knows I am standing here watching him. He gives her a small smile and she nods and bounds off.
This is not a good development. I will be absolutely devastated if Devon hurts her and she leaves. She is a one-woman miracle machine. She anticipates my every need and has just what I want before I even know I want it. I want to tell him to quit it, but I wonder if he will. He has been waiting patiently for me to get my shit together so we can marry, but every man has his limit. And Devon never was good at keeping it in his pants. Does he intend to be faithful or expect to still do as he pleases?
“Lizzie,” he says, holding his hand out for me.
“What are you doing with her?” I blurt out, taking his hand and letting him lead me away into the walled garden. I instantly feel the heat from the suntrap, and it relaxes me as we sit down on a bench, side by side.
He chuckles. “It’s not what you think. We aren’t involved.”
“Oh?” I ask, but he says no more, so I ask the question I came to find him for. “Dev? What is the problem here?”
“Problem?” He gives me a puzzled look, but it’s fake. I know him too well.
“It took me to come and find you after I got back yesterday. What’s with that?”
“I told you, just giving you space to sort your shit out,” he says with a shrug and an eye avoidance to end all eye avoidances.
“Bullshit. That has never stopped you before. Are you…thinking of…you know…?” Argh, spit it out woman!
“What?” His eyes find mine with a look of fear.
“Leaving. With Marguerite,” I say bitterly.
“Oh, Christ, Lizzie. No! Don’t be so fucking ridiculous. I only just got you back. And I just told you. It’s not like that. I am waiting to marry you, but I am starting to wonder if it is really what you want.” He squeezes my hand so tightly I feel the bones break. With an apologetic look, he lets go and straightens my fingers, so they heal.
“Of course it is! I know I have made you wait. Things have been…well, you know…you’ve been here. I am back now, and I am ready to be your wife. Whenever you’re ready.”
“Now?” he asks with a sly, but happy smile that I have reaffirmed to him our intentions are true.