“We’re not engaged, Niko,” she replies, not glancing in my direction.
“No. You’re just married,” Solomon snorts.
Aurora and I shoot him a glance.
“What?” He arches his eyebrows. “That’s what being mated means.”
I rub the back of my neck, feeling awkward as fuck now. It’s not that I don’t want to get married to her. I just never really gave it much thought. Traditional marriage ceremonies in my world are reserved only for royals.
Aurora walks over to Declan. “Here’s your athame. Thanks.”
“Oh, no. This is yours now. The Alton jewel has linked to your powers. It would be painful to sever the connection now.”
“Does that mean that when I bonded with it, it hurt you?”
He lifts his shoulders in a resigned shrug. “It was a small price to pay. Think of it as a welcome gift to the creed.”
“Say what?” I ask.
The warlocks and Aurora look at me, but it’s Solomon who answers. “Aurora is a warlock now.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means you’ll have to cut your honeymoon short, lover boy. She needs to come to Scotland to initiate her training,” Ryker answers.
“Training for what?”
“What do you think?” Declan raises an eyebrow.
“Are you a demon hunter now?” I meet her gaze.
“I guess so.”
I pass a hand over my face, hating these new developments. My instinct is to say, hell to the fucking no, but she’s my mate, not my property.
“Is that what you want, Rora?”
She glances at the warlock duo for a moment, then back at me. “To be honest, I don’t know. But slaying demons and monsters sounds like an interesting career.”
“And also dangerous as fuck. You almost died.” I cross my arms, unable to control my frown.
“But she didn’t,” Ryker intervenes. “And with training, she’ll be more prepared the next time.”
“Saxon was the one who killed Ashmedai, not me,” she chimes in.
Declan raises an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
“What does it all mean? If Aurora is a warlock now, who is going to be the next in line to become the High Witch?” Niko asks.
“Let’s not worry about that now,” her mother replies.
I’m still brooding when my skin begins to prickle, and a great sense of unease takes hold of me. “Uh, does anyone know what time it is?”
Solomon pulls his pocket watch out. “It’s time to get your ass back home before you turn into a crisp. Sunup is around the corner.”
43
Aurora
Saxon is falling asleep on his feet by the time Ryker drops us off in our apartment. He’s so out of it that he doesn’t even grumble when the warlock tells me he’ll be in touch. I give him a noncommittal response, which is all I’m capable of right now. I can’t deal with all the changes and their consequences before I sort out my priorities.
Ryker leaves in the same manner as usual, using his warlock magic. I can’t deny that learning how to do that is exciting. Leaving Saxon’s side to go to Scotland isn’t. But if the warlocks insist that I must leave right away, would Saxon come with me or stay?
I know something big happened downtown involving Jacques and the king. If the Blueblood wars restart, Saxon will be needed here.
“A penny for your thoughts.” He walks over and pulls me into his arms.
“It’s nothing. Let’s get cleaned up and sleep.”
He brings his nose to the crook of my neck, taking a deep breath. “I don’t think I can sleep right now.”
I can’t possibly smell good, but my hormones don’t care one bit about hygiene. I’m already melting as I lean into him, curling my fists in his shirt.
“Shower first,” I say in a husky voice.
“Okay.”
Holding his hand, I veer to my room, dying to get out of my clothes. They’re grimy and bloody, completely ruined, good only for burning.
Once in the bathroom, I wince when I catch my reflection in the mirror. I look like a zombie extra from The Walking Dead. Saxon hugs me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder. Even covered in dirt he looks like a god. It’s so unfair.
“Why are you frowning?” he asks.
“Nothing.”
I head for the shower, which can also be used as a bathtub. I could use a bath. My body is bruised and sore, but I doubt Saxon and I would fit in it.
“I can make it work,” he whispers in my ear.
“What?”
“We can have a bath together.”
Cocking my head, I ask, “Wait? Did you hear my thoughts?”
“Hmm. I’m not sure. You were staring at the bathtub longingly