Page 86 of Twice Bitten

He let out a breath. “I’ve apologized.”

“I’m aware.”

Alric put on his earnest face, the one I knew was full of shit. “Alex, what can I do to make this up to you?”

I pulled out two mugs from the far back of the cabinet that Beckett had missed.

One of them had three witches dancing naked in the woods and said,God forbid women have hobbies. I set that one aside for me. The second saidResting Witch Face. That one would go to Alric.

“You can’t make up for failing to render assistance to someone in as much danger as I was. And asking me to forgive you is kind of a shit thing to do.”

Alric blinked in surprise before a thoughtful look stole over his face. He sat back on the stool he’d taken and rubbed his jaw. “You’re right,” he said after a moment. “I suppose I’ll have to show you then.”

I removed the carafe before it had finished brewing—thank goodness for the auto stop—and poured us both a hot cup of coffee before remembering I had no cream or sugar.

“Sorry. You’ll have to drink it black. I have no groceries.”

I had a million things to do today and had forgotten all about going grocery shopping.

“I prefer it this way,” Alric said. “Though I don’t take tea without milk.”

I sipped my coffee and shivered. “Favorite tea?”

Alric held his coffee mug like a dainty lady. “I’m partial to oolong, but I’ll never turn down Earl Grey.”

Two of my favorites, though I was far more of a coffee person. “London Fog for me.”

“A dressed-up Earl Grey, then.”

I nodded. “The lattes are hard to pass up.”

“I will remember that.” From the way he was staring at me, I had an odd feeling he genuinely would.

Conversation stalled as we sipped our coffee. I had a running list of things to do in my head and needed to get started. Leaving Alric unsupervised was not going to happen, though.

“Thank you for the clothing your strategist brought over. The extras were unnecessary but appreciated.”

His eyes flicked over the cardigan and camisole I wore. “They suit you.”

“Yes, well, I’d still like to pay for them. They seem expensive.”

Alric waved a hand. “Consider them a peace offering for everything that has occurred.”

Just then, Alric’s strategist walked in, her gaze immediately falling on the Prime. Leo came in behind her, wheeling a massive cart. She flicked her hand toward my bedroom. “Take them in the bedroom and hang them with care.”

I stared at Leo. “Hang what?”

Leo ignored me and went right to the master.

“Hang what?” I asked again.

“Replacements,” said his strategist.

I shot a look at Alric, who merely saluted me with his mug. “Again,” he said mildly. “Another peace offering.”

“I’ll write a check for those as well.”

The strategist snorted. “If you’d like to drain your retirement fund, be our guest.”