Page 48 of The Monsters We Are
“You know this for a fact?”
“Yes.”
“Ooh, that was a definite lie. No, don’t argue. I am in the company of a pathological liar every day. I know a bullshit line when I hear one.”
Cain let out a heavy exhale. “Fine. I’m not entirely certain. But I don’t believe your worry is warranted.”
“I’d rather wait until weknowwithout a doubt that you’re right about that. Come on, you have all kinds of ancient texts and rare books. Surely at least one of them covers subjects like life-forces.”
“Some probably will, yes.”
“Then flick through them. Find us a definitive answer. We can go from there. And before you object again, just consider that you’d say the same to me if the risk wasmineto take.”
Grinding his teeth, Cain glared down at her. “So stubborn.” It maddened him at times. As she often pointed out, he was used to having his way. Used to people hurrying to cater to his every whim, never daring to disobey or question him. Wynter, however, had no qualms with challenging him on any subject. But he liked that, liked that she demanded to be counted and wasn’t intimidated by him, so he couldn’t even complain about it.
Well, he could. But, really, it would make him a hypocritical bastard. Especially in regards to this particular matter. Because, just as she’d accused, he would make the same decision in her shoes.
Nonetheless, he was self-centered enough to have pushed her to change her mind if he’d thought it would get him anywhere. But when she did that thing where she calmly stated her case in that non-negotiable tone, he knew from past experience that he was fighting a losing battle.
“All right,” he said, his reluctance clear. “We’ll hold off on performing the binding.” His inner creature grumbled in annoyance at that.
“Performing,” she echoed, her eyes lighting with curiosity. “So, what, it’s like a ritual?”
“Not quite.”
Her brows dipped. “You’re not going to explain?”
No, because he wanted her to be intrigued. And, yes, it was amusing to poke at her a little—he liked to keep her on her toes. It was only fair, since she did the same to him. “Wouldn’t you rather have the surprise?”
“No.”
He gave her a look of mock sympathy. “Hmm, what a shame.”
“Because you have no intention of telling me in advance?”
“None whatsoever.”
“Asshole,” she tossed out, but there was no real heat in the word. “I don’t have to drink blood or anything, do I?”
Cain felt his brow crease. Her thought processes often took him off-guard, but it was another thing he liked. “Why would you even ask such a thing?”
“Well, I’d be tying my life-force to that of your creature. Blood is the elixir of life, right?”
He let out a long sigh. “You won’t have to drink blood.”
She put a hand to her chest, her shoulders lowering slightly. “I have to say, that is a relief.”
“Going back to a question I meant to ask you before . . . Do you need help dismantling and moving the ancestor altar to my Keep?”
Her nose wrinkled. “It’s best not to disturb it. That’s why I set it in the corner where it wouldn’t be knocked or anything. I had to perform a blessing just to add the silver frames to the drawings. I won’t be dissembling the altar until after All Hallows’ Eve, but thanks anyway. Don’t worry, I’ll take some of my other possessions to the Keep instead.”
Satisfied, he dropped a soft kiss on her mouth. “Good. But next year, you’ll set up the altar in what will then be officially our chamber, yes?”
“Yes,” she relented.
“Good.”
“My coven asked me to have dinner with them tonight. And, to be honest, it’s hard to turn down Hattie’s stew. Want to eat with us?”