I wasn’t so certain of that given the gleam in her eyes, but nevertheless shut my eyes and gulped the thing down. It tasted as bad as it smelled.
I shuddered and thrust the empty glass at her. “You lie.”
She chuckled softly. “One of these days you’ll stop believing me when I say things like that, and I’ll have to start making them palatable.”
I snorted softly. In truth, adding sweeteners to most potions actually diluted their potency. It was possible to use Manuka honey—which was well known for its restorative properties—but Belle was old-school like her mom when it came to potions. The thicker and fouler, the better they worked.
I hobbled toward the stairs and slowly started up; despite my caution, my calf ached in protest. The painkillers they’d given me were beginning to wear off.
“Have you heard anything from Aiden or Monty?” Belle stayed behind me, obviously intent on catching me should I fall—although given her sprained ankle, I wasn’t sure how she’d manage that without sending us both tumbling. “Do you know if they caught the Manananggal?”
“No, and I’m thinking that’s not a good thing.”
“Unless they’ve got her cornered and are waiting for daylight. Given her magical strength, that would be the prudent choice.”
I couldn’t help grinning. “Prudent isn’t a word I associate with Monty.”
Belle chuckled. “That is for sure. But Aiden’s not one to take unnecessary risks.”
Especially when it came to his heart… I pushed the thought away and dropped down onto my bed. “I think I’ll have to park behind the coffee machine tomorrow. I’m not going to be much use for anything else.”
Belle raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t the doctors tell you to rest up?”
“They told you the exact same thing—are you?”
Her grin flashed. “When it comes to orneriness, we’re both as bad as each other. I’ll do the coffee, you handle the cakes. Penny and Celia can handle the rest.”
“Sounds like a plan.” My phone rang, the tone telling me it was Aiden. A ridiculous surge of happiness hit.
“It’s hardly ridiculous when you’re in love with the man.” Belle tapped my shoulder. “I’ll leave you be. Don’t spend all night talking dirty to him—you need to sleep.”
“Spoilsport.” I hit the answer button as she left. “Did you kill the Manananggal?”
“No. How badly were you hurt this time?”
“I wasn’t. How did she escape?”
“She didn’t.” Exasperation filled his tone. “Define wasn’t.”
I smiled and lay down. “I cut my leg, but it’s not serious.”
“So no stitches?”
“Just a couple.”
“Fuck, Lizzie—”
“I’m fine. Really.”
“You keep saying that, and it’s never entirely true.” The exasperation in his voice might have been high, but so was the caring that ran underneath. It wrapped around my heart and made me giddy. “I really wish I could take you home tonight.”
“I really wish you could too.” I kept my tone deliberately light. “Maybe once the whole Clayton situation is sorted—”
“You’ll give in to the inevitable and move in with me.”
I’d love to. I really would. I closed my eyes and kept the words locked inside. “You know why I can’t.”
“Liz,” he said gently, “the return you fear might not happen for months or years, if at all. Why let the possibility of future heartache disrupt the happiness of the present? Especially when you’ve spent most of your life running from one rather than enjoying the other?”
It was tempting. So very tempting… I took a deep breath and released it slowly. “Because—”
“You’re afraid,” he cut in again. “And we both know your fears are well founded. I might not be looking for my werewolf mate, but I can’t guarantee she won’t ever step into my life. What I will promise is that I won’t toss you aside as cavalierly as you fear. I care for you. Deeply. Hurting you is not something I ever want to do.”
“I know that, but I’m just…” Scared that this time—this split—would be the one to utterly break me.
And yet, heartbreak would happen whether or not I was living with him. The dice had been cast on the day we’d met, and nothing was going to alter the course on which I was now set. Why not grab as much happiness as I could, while I could, before fate threw her spanner into the works?
I took a deep breath and slowly released it. “Okay then.”
There was a long pause. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes.”
His joy practically vibrated down the line. “I’ll start making room in my wardrobe.”
I laughed even as my heart did another of those ridiculous little dances. “I can use the one in the spare room.”
“I’ve seen your wardrobe—trust me, there’ll be plenty of room in mine. Besides, how can I have the pleasure of watching you dress if you’re doing so in the other room?”
I laughed again, though this time it was a deep and husky sound. “I’m thinking said watching might just lead to other things.”
“Oh, I’m counting on it.”
Anticipation shot through me. Of course, it was a little preemptive given the whole Clayton situation. “Are you coming around for breakfast tomorrow? You can catch me up on why the Manananggal escaped you both then.”
“She didn’t escape. Monty’s tracker is still on her.”
“Then why—”
“She’s holed up in a cave surrounded by some pretty strong spells. Monty thinks it better if we attack her in the morning, when she’s more restricted.”
“Daylight might kill her, but we’ve no idea if it’ll weaken her magic.”
“No, but the fact she hasn’t managed to take another victim will.”
“What if she leaves the cave?”
“Then we’ll deal with her.”
“You’re still there?” I asked, surprised.
“Yeah, although I don’t think Monty is too happy about spending the night out in the open.”
“He does like his creature comforts.” I hesitated. “It might be wise if he calls in Ashworth, just to be safe.”
“Ashworth is already on the way here, though I suspect the only reason Monty asked him was so he could bring a supply of coffee and food.”
“I suspect you might be right. Be careful out there.”
“Always,” he replied. “Sweet dreams, and I’ll
