Chapter 14
MONIQUE
Waking up wrapped in Michael’s arms on the day of my wedding was the strangest moment of my life so far. It was a childhood dream of mine to be married to the high warlock’s heir. And yet, as I opened my eyes and looked up at his still-sleeping face, my heart was sad rather than happy.
He was doing this to save me. To save Xander and Kyle—two men that he would unlikely ever have befriended, if it weren’t for me. This action would estrange him from his parents, and I hated that it had to be that way for him.
This wasn’t the way two people who cared for each other should be getting married. I sat up slowly, Michael’s hand falling off my arm.
I’d been so stressed, so full of anxiety, when Michael had suggested we go lie down in bed. I hadn’t thought I would sleep much, but once I was lying in Michael’s arms finally warm and safe, his steady heartbeat beneath my cheek, I fell into a dream-less sleep.
“Good morning,” Michael said from behind me.
I slid off the bed then turned around. His gaze was sleepy, yet warm.
“Hey.”
He rolled out of bed and got to his feet, also. His expression turned from warm, to wary.
“I better go talk to my dad,” he said, his tone heavy.
“It’ll be all right, Michael. We can do this.”
“I know.” He roughed up his hair and tugged at his clothes until he looked positively rumpled. “Do I look like I’ve had a sex-filled night?”
I stared at his red-tinged, tired eyes, and nodded. “Yep. Perfect.”
He took in a deep breath, then marched to the door. As he opened it, he turned around. “I’m going to tell my dad that you’re still under the influence of the love potion, so you’ll need to act a little dopey today, okay?”
I nodded. “I can do that. Anything I should do while you’re gone?”
He pressed his lips into a thin line. “Yeah. Research ways to make my dad pass out for a minute or two.”
I chuckled. “Oh, I will. Definitely.”
The high warlock was not my favorite person. Making him pass out briefly would be my pleasure.