Her Dragon (Book 2 of The Circle Series)

CHAPTER 12: WEAR IT FOR ME

VALENTINA

I hadn’t woken up once, which was unusual. My ability as a seer ramps up at night when my subconscious takes over. Images of past visions jumble together with new ones.

I felt refreshed and recharged, but he was gone. I wash up quickly and stretch to get ready for a run. I don’t spend time considering why I’m bothered by him leaving without saying goodbye.

I’m putting on socks when I glance at the notebook I use to record my dreams. It’s open on the nightstand, but that’s not what catches my attention.

Valentina,

I let my wings out, something I didn’t get to do much of while in the city. Shifting instead of taking a flight allowed me more time with you last night, but I had to leave my rental car. The keys are on your entrance table. Someone will pick them both up today or tomorrow.

Forgive me for not giving you a proper goodbye. It was selfish of me. You looked so peaceful, and I knew it would be harder for me to leave if I woke you.

I left my ring. Wear it for me on your necklace until I can give you something better.

I’ll call you as soon as I can.

Yours,

Deo

I read the note once more and place the ring in my jewelry box for safe keeping. While the sentiment was sweet, I know shifters. They’re possessive and territorial.

Yours.

I’m definitely not ready for that.

After my run and a shower, I curl up on my couch with a book. I’ve decided to do nothing but relax until my shift later on, and then the doorbell rings not even two pages in. It must be whoever Amadeo sent for the car.

“Hey.” I check my phone, looking for a message or missed call.

“I was in the area with a client, but by the time we were done, it was snowing badly.” Charlie shakes the snow off of his coat. There wasn’t any snow on my run, but sure enough, when I look past him outside, it’s squalling out. “I thought I’d stop here instead of trying to trek home,” he explains.

Charlie has a beautiful condo in the heart of the downtown core, but no doubt it would take him a few hours to get there now. Visibility looks horrible.

“Come in.”

He makes his way to my living room and sits on the couch, picking up my book and tossing it lightly on the table.

“Beer? Coffee?”

“A beer is good,” he smiles. “Thanks.”

I hand him the drink and take a seat beside him with a coffee for myself. He’s as handsome as ever taking a swig, but that desire to rip his clothes off isn’t there anymore.

What is here is silence. I’ve always found it fascinating how some people find silence awkward, but others revel in it. I don’t talk much, and most people tend to overcompensate around me, but Charlie and I have always been able to do the comfortable silence thing. I appreciate it because we’ve been friends forever, and even though we blurred the lines a bit, instead of it being weird between, it still feels the same.

It feels the same until I put my mug down, and he tries to suck my face.

I smack his shoulder.

He leans towards me again, and my hands on his chest push him away. “Don’t be like this. Don’t you miss us?”

“Us?”

“Ya, us hanging out and having s*x. We can do that again,” he responds casually.

“Let’s not.”

“Why? Because of that dragon guy?” He spits the words out, and his face contorts in disgust.

“You wanted to stop, and I think it was the right call.”

“I made a mistake.” He hesitates to take my hand and ultimately decides against it.

“I don’t think so.”

“Don’t say that. Not when I’m here trying to work up the guts to tell you I love you. I was an i***t not to realize it before, but these last few months have been hard without you.”

Well, damn.

“Say something,” he pleads. His blue eyes shine with emotion.

“What’s this really about?”

“That’s it? I drop that, and that’s how you answer? Shit.” He rubs his hand over his face. “s**t, Val, that isn’t how that’s supposed to go.”

“I’m not sure how you want me to respond. It’s unexpected.”

“You don’t feel the same, do you?” Seconds pass by in silence. I don’t know what else to say. “I don’t want you to leave,” he finally adds.

I sigh and stare at the man who I've been friends with my whole life. “They’re going to take one look at me, realize I’m not a good fit, and then I’m coming home.”

“That’s a load of bullshit, and you know it. They’re going to take one look at you and know that you’re exactly what they need. They’d be crazy not to. You’re the best witch I know.”

“We’re good as friends, Charlie. We’re solid. You’re just afraid things will change in the group after they’ve finally started to be good again.”

He drops his head in his hands and groans.

“I’m scared of that happening too,” I say quietly. He looks up at me, and understanding fills his eyes. “It doesn’t matter where I end up; you can always count on me. Just like I know I can always count on you,” I add.

For years, we leaned on each other and took comfort in one another. We used to joke that we were two orphaned adults with no one to care for us. Sure, I had my aunt and uncle, and we have friends, but our core support system vanished, and it was the two of us day in and day out.

“I don't want to lose you, Val."

“You won’t.” I mean that with my whole heart.

“What else is on your mind? Is everything okay?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know." He shrugs. "I’m worried about Anessa. She pretends she’s fine around people, but she’s not, and then there’s Bauer. I know he’s coming around more, but things are still awkward. I don’t know how to talk to him anymore. And Gia, well, she’s f*****g killing it as a Luna now, but even though she’s back...” He doesn’t finish his thought.

“You can’t help but wonder for how long?”

“Exactly.”

“We’ll get on Anessa. I’ve been trying to be respectful and not pry, but maybe that’s not been helpful. Do you know how things are progressing in therapy?”

“She isn’t going. She stopped and didn't want to tell you all.”

“I’ll see what I can do, but you need to swallow your pride and talk to Bauer. It’s obvious he carries a lot of guilt. Every time he looks at Anessa, it’s painful. As for Gia, she is crazy about her wolf, so she’s not going anywhere.”

“Alright, I trust you to always give it to me straight,” he smiles wearily. “Are you and I alright? Or did I make s**t weird?”

“You went past weird straight to f****d up, but I think we’ll be okay.”

*******

Giada stomps the snow off her boots at the door. “I didn’t get a call to supply today and I heard a shipment came in.”

I wheel a trolly with some boxes down the aisle towards her. “A small one. It shouldn’t take long to shelve these.”

She removes her black coat, gloves, and thick white cable knit beanie, and hangs them up in the back room. Seconds later, she reappears. “My mom will probably be late. That’s why I’m here. Connie is trying to start her own coven. She’s holding a meeting to see who will join her. My mom heard about it and is going to show up and cause a scene. I wish someone could record her reaction.”

I use my keys to open a box and sit on the floor with my clipboard, a highlighter, and a pricing gun.

“You don’t seem surprised.” Giada walks my way.

“She’s always been jealous of our family.”

Bauer’s aunt, Connie, has always been bitter because she wanted a place in our moms’ Circle and then she wanted her children in ours.

A witch’s magic is the most sacred and intimate part of their being. Deciding to share your magic isn’t something to be taken lightly. No one wants their family near their magic. You have to trust the people in your circle. It’s why many witches don’t perform the ritual. It’s also why Giada called it off all those years ago when she felt betrayed by Bauer and Anessa.

“I can’t stand her family. They’re petty. Who would honestly follow her?” she asks.

“Connie wants power. Let her chase it. She’ll self-destruct and try to crawl back,” I respond.

“My mom is done with her. She’s kicking her out today.” Giada frowns and bends for the next box full of books. I get up quickly and put my hand out to stop her. “I’ll grab it.” It’s too heavy for her to lift while pregnant. I don’t know if the box is considered heavy lifting, but I’m not taking any chances.

She stares at me for a few seconds and curses under her breath.

“Bash knew before me, and my mom too! My pack picked up on my new scent, and they could all hear the heartbeats before we even said anything.” She raises her hands in the air and sighs heavily. “I’m not going to be able to surprise anyone, am I!”

“Did you say heartbeats? As in plural?” I ask.

She looks up slowly, smiling. “I’m having twins!” She shrieks, bouncing on her toes. She pulls out her phone from her back pocket. “It’s too early to know the s*x, but here’s twin A.” She points to an ultrasound picture. “And that’s twin B. Can you believe it!” She squeezes my shoulder. “There are two of them inside of me! Sebastian said we’re having one of each.”

“Is he a seer now?”

“That’s what I said!” She laughs her apparent frustration from seconds before forgotten.

“I’m happy for you and Sebastian. Truly. And I can guarantee Anessa, Charlie, and Bauer have no idea, so you can surprise them.”

Satisfied with that knowledge, she begins placing some books on the shelf beside her. “So, you had a vision? You saw my stomach, but you didn’t see the babies?”

I nod. I saw her heavily pregnant. It’s why I didn’t know she was having twins.

“How did I look?”

“Pregnant.”

Giada rolls her eyes. “Was I humongous and sloppy looking, or did I look like a glowing, whimsical pregnant witch carrying two Alpha pups?”

What does that even mean?

Thankfully, I don’t have to answer her because a customer needs help. I hand Giada a few more books and follow the customer to a different aisle. Business picks up in the store despite the snow, and it’s about an hour later when we finally have time to reconnect.

“You didn’t answer me. How did I look?” she asks while resting her hand over her flat stomach.

“You looked happy, Gia.” I know how much my cousin and her mate wanted these babies. I know what they both lost and how much they’ve suffered. They deserve this happiness.

Tears well up in her eyes, and they spill freely. She gives me a hug and a big watery smile. “I’m only six weeks. I wanted to wait a bit longer to tell everyone…you know, to be safe…with everything that’s happened. It’s hard to do that living with shifters.” She looks down at her stomach.

“Now you have a lot of help and support right from the beginning.”

She nods, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “Very true. I’ve already been so sick. I throw up at all hours of the day. The ginger tea Dayna made for me helps sometimes, but my pups are already causing a commotion.”

Dayna is one of our healers and a midwife. Witches who are healers are like doctors who practice holistic medicine. They’re invaluable to a coven. Giada can heal wounds because Hecate, our goddess, gave her that gift on top of her other powers, but she is not knowledgeable in the same ways as Dayna.

“Are you also seeing a pack doctor?”

“Sebastian insists. He is beyond worried about me and insufferable at times. Everything with Raquel is still fresh, and with my history, I don’t blame him, but he won’t even let me carry groceries.”

“Do you miss your freedom and the life you had before?” I don’t know where that question came from.

She looks at me curiously. “I do everything I did before and more, except maybe carry groceries.” She laughs. “But I had to fight him to do that even before I was pregnant.” She tucks a strand of her wavy hair behind her ear and moves closer. “Anyway, I thought I understood the mate bond from watching Luke and Jacquie fall in love and mate. I saw it as suffocating at times. But I get it now because I can feel what Bash feels. I can feel just how much he loves me. His love is unwavering and so pure. Being mated is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

A twinge of sadness settles in my heart, but I bury it. I turn away from her and pick up the last bit of books that need to be organized.

“I wonder if they’ll be able to communicate telepathically,” I say after some time.

“Who knows? We singletons messed with our family twin streak and still got the ability. Maybe they will too,” she shrugs.

“Telepathy or not. We’ll teach them everything they need to know.”

“We’ll have to visit you and your dragon in Spain for that to happen,” she teases.

I scoff. I didn’t explain what happened between Amadeo and me, but I did tell everyone I decided to meet with the Witch Council.

“Have you two talked?”

“We text.”

He has tried to call many times. The time difference and how busy he is hasn’t stopped him. It’s me who has ignored him.

“Hmm, I think you should sext him or something. Sebastian loves when I send him naughty texts and pictures, he calls me immediately or comes running home!”

“You tease!”

She laughs. “Amadeo will love it! He wants you badly. It’s so obvious and I think you’re more interested than you let on. So, I’m going to give you the same advice you gave men once.” I already know what she’s going to say. “If you have the chance to get nasty with him in Spain, take it. Getting him worked up beforehand might not be such a bad idea either.”

*******

It’s late when I head to bed. My aunt didn’t make it to the store, so I stayed until closing. I open my jewelry box and stare at the ring. It’s been two weeks since he left, and I haven’t worn it, but I take it out and admire the simple gold band often, reminiscing about the way it felt rubbing against skin. I slide it on my chain and finally put it on my neck.

In bed, I read over Amadeo’s last text asking if I had received his latest gift. Last week he sent a massive bouquet in a heavy crystal vase. A week later, the assortment was still as beautiful as the first day I received it.

Today’s package was a black leather-bound journal with my initials engraved on the front. I don’t know how I feel about him sending things, but new notebooks get me excited. I type out a thank you knowing it might be a while before he sees it due to the time difference.