Page 42 of Grimoire Omens

Given I didn’t care what strangers thought of me, my chin lifted and my shoulders squared. I faced a massive throne. And I mean huge. Unlike the floor and pillars and even walls of gleaming white stone, the seat of obvious royal power appeared carved of a stone so dark, so black, it sucked in the light touching it.

Okay, it probably didn’t, but it did seem like a blot in an otherwise pristine place that screamed rich royal.

A sudden sense of agitation from those gathered, gray-faced entities dressed as fancy as me, could have been caused by the sudden coiling sense of impending doom. Or did my trepidation come because of the vise-like grip on my arm?

A glance showed a gray hand wrapped tight around my bicep, the fingers digging deep. I’d likely have bruises. As to who they belonged to… I turned my head to see?—

A smiling Flo chirping, “Rise and shine, sleepyhead. Breakfast is about to be served.”

“It’s too early,” I groaned, burying my head under the pillow.

“It’s almost ten, and Ulseere said to get you up before he returned with—” Flo deepened her voice, “A repast that will revive and replenish for the new day.”

It sounded like something he’d say only… “He left?” That surprised. Hadn’t he been the one who’d claimed I shouldn’t be alone?

“Yeah, which he wasn’t crazy about, but since we’re out of cash, he’s the only one who can do the mind-trick thing to convince someone to give us food and make them think we paid for it. Don’t worry, though. He had me barricade the door with the couch, and Cedric’s been patrolling between it and the windows so he can warn us if anyone approaches.”

With it being daytime, the risk of demons went to zero, leaving only Gryvak. It probably helped Ulseere had seen me blast with my magic the evening before. I wasn’t entirely defenseless anymore—so long as I could get it to work without the jealousy part.

“Did he happen to mention what’s on the agenda for the day?”

Flo flopped onto the bed and shook her head. “Nope.”

“How did he seem?” my next more tentative question. The night we’d spent had been glorious. The sex spectacular. But in the light of day, would he see it as a mistake? Had he scratched the itch? Would he act indifferent?

Ugh. Look at me acting like some needy high school chick. It wasn’t as if we’d made any promises. I’d wanted sex. He’d wanted sex. We’d had great sex. Nothing more!

Except…I kind of wanted more. Sex, that was. Not love, though. Ulseere made it clear he wouldn’t be staying, and I couldn’t blame him. We belonged to two completely different worlds.

A thought occurred to me. “I wonder how Ulseere is supposed to get back to Infernal once he handles Gryvak.”

“By having you open a door, duh.” Flo rolled her eyes.

“Except the spell I used requires me to summon someone or something to open it.”

Her lips pursed. “I hadn’t thought of that. Maybe he’ll get you to summon a little bug we can squish, and as it comes through, he pops over to the other side.”

“How would he even know where it will open? The last one ended up being in the park a block and a half away from my place.”

Flo sat up. “Hunh, that’s true. Good thing it did, though ‘cause can you imagine the chaos had it opened in the living room?”

“But why the park and not say the street out front?”

Flo didn’t have a reply, and with Ulseere gone, only one person, make that cat, might know. I flopped out of bed, forgetting my nudity.

“Well, I see someone had fun last night,” Flo drawled.

“I had no pajamas,” I mumbled, my flesh heating as I dove for the robe.

“So of course you stripped out of even your undies. Makes total sense.”

Since I didn’t lie to my bestie, I whirled around as I tied the sash. “Yes, we fucked.” Blunt, but not out of character.

“Really?” Flo bounced. “And how was it? Do elves have normal dicks, or are the tips pointy like their ears?”

“Normal,” I snorted. “And before you ask, it was the best I ever had.”

“Are you sure, because I didn’t hear a peep, and we both know you’re loud even when it’s mediocre.”