Chapter 89

Theodore

We took a short detour in what looked like a post office, but it was unlike any post office I'd ever seen. The air felt charged with magic, and I figured that had something to do with it. By the time we stepped back into the tailor shop, the day was starting to head toward the evening. A young man who hadn't been here before greeted us with a wide smile, ushering us toward the fitting area. Master Remy came out, grinning.

“Perfect timing,” he said, clapping his hands together. “Your suits are ready, and dinner is just about to be served, so come on up. Let's get you into these suits and do some last adjustments."

We cycled through all the four I could take with me today, including the one suit for the tea party. Soon enough, I was out of them all and Master Remy shooed us upstairs to where his wife was finishing up dinner while he finished the final adjustments.

"So anything I should know?" I asked.

“Master Remy’s wife cooks like a dream.”

I chuckled at that and nodded. We entered the apartment upstairs. His wife appeared from somewhere with a large bowl in her arms and the air smelled as though the dishes had all been plucked straight from heaven. She greeted us warmly.

"Go on and get comfortable deals."

Violet slipped off her shoes and passed her hand over the odd column near the entrance. It flashed a bright light, and I followed suit, surprised at the jolt of static that shot through me when it glowed.

I found myself drawn into the warmth of their home and relaxed in a way I couldn't explain. Master Remy came up just as she was setting down dishes, gushing about the spread as my stomach grumbled. He kissed her soundly and ushered her into her seat. Dinner was pleasant. Like how I always imagined family dinners should be but I had never experienced. Remy and his wife had an easy way about them—teasing each other between bites, laughing at jokes only they seemed to understand. I caught Violet smiling more than once, a soft, genuine curve of her lips that made my chest tighten.

Later that evening, we flew back to Midnight with my suits and something from the couple for Violet. The helicopter’s hum dulled as we landed, and the cool night air rushed in when the doors opened. I was eager to settle in, maybe pour a drink and enjoy a quiet moment with Violet. But the sight of a courier standing at the estate’s entrance shifted my mood.

The man was tall, younger than I expected, with the kind of easy charm that immediately grated on me. His grin widened when he saw Violet, and I caught the subtle way his eyes lingered on her.

“Miss Donovan,” he said brightly. “A pleasure, as always.”

Violet returned the smile, crossing the space to throw her arms around him in a tight hug.

“How long have you been here?"

"Long enough." His laugh was smooth, too smooth. He squeezed her close and kissed her cheek. “You know, anything for you.”

I stiffened, keeping my expression neutral. The way she spoke to him—it wasn’t flirty, exactly, but it was far too comfortable for my liking.

Then she turned to me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Theo, this is Bennett. Benny, this is my husband, Theodore Nightshade."

Husband. The word was like a spark, chasing away the low burn of irritation in my chest.

He let out a soft whistle and extended a hand. "What a name. Good to meet you."

I shook it firmly, maybe a little too firmly, and offered a curt nod. “Likewise.”

Violet’s smile grew as she stepped between us.

“Congratulations. Lucky man, I hope you know how lucky you are. The last one didn't.”

"I do."

He chuckled. "We'll see."

I bristled at that.

Violet's led him into the house.

“Give me a moment,” she said. “I’ll grab my reply, yeah. Did you already---"

"In the dining room."

"Perfect! Be right back!"

She upstairs, leaving me standing there with Bennett. He grinned at me.

“So,” he started, “she’s a remarkable woman, isn’t she?”

I didn’t bother hiding my smirk. “She is."

"Beautiful."

"Yes."

"And those eyes, right?"

I glared at him. "Yes. And she's mine."

He laughed. Bennett seemed entirely unbothered, even amused. The easy grin on his face shifted into something warmer, less polished.

“Relax, Theo',” he said, his tone teasing. “I’m her cousin.”

I blinked, caught entirely off guard. “Cousin?”

“Yep. She didn’t tell you?”

“No, she didn’t.”

Bennett chuckled, clearly unfazed by my standoffish demeanor.

“Don’t take it personally. She’s guarded about it for… obvious reasons."

I frowned, then I realized that he wasn't wearing anything that would usually be worn on this side of the border. My heart quickened. He was from the other side of the border.

"The rest of us can't wait to meet you.”

“I'm sorry," I said, blinking. "She… She didn't say anything about you. I would have invited you all and --"

"Relax," he said. "We sent the family representative. You're good… Weddings on this side suck anyway."

I blinked. "Who…"

He grinned. "I'll let her tell you that bit. Though… seeing you, I'm glad she sent the message when she did. No hard feelings, eh? You're not exactly in full control of yourself, are you? New bond and all that."

I grimaced. "I'm perfectly in control."

"I mean, sure. You’re doing a hell of a job keeping it together, even if your instincts are trying to claw their way out.”

Before I could reply—if I could even find something to say—Violet reappeared, holding a small parcel.

“Here you go,” she said brightly, handing it to Bennett. “Make sure it gets to them quickly.”

Bennett took the parcel with a mock salute. “Of course. Anything else?”

Violet shook her head and hugged him again. “Thanks for coming all this way, and so quick."

I cleared my throat, schooling my expression into something less guarded.

“You’re more than welcome to stay the night,” I offered. "It so late after all."

Bennett raised an eyebrow, his grin turning wry. “Do him a favor and get him up to speed sooner rather than later, Vi'."

She laughed. "I will."

"Thanks, Theo', but that’s a no-go for me. Not chancing being trapped here and tossed into the temple.”

The temple. The very mention of it sent a ripple of unease through me. So Bennett had magic. I nodded.

"Makes sense." I frowned. "But… how are you going to get across the border, it's at least a day's run..."

He smirked. "You sweet summer child."

Violet burst into laughter.

Bennett inclined his head. “Good meeting you, Theo. Take care of her.”

Bennett turned in place and vanished. My jaw dropped. Violet rolled her eyes.

"Show off."

"How-- What?"

Violet laughed and headed to the dining room. "Come on!"

I followed her. “Who is your family representative?"

"The High Priestess."

"What?" I asked. "You never."

She grinned over her shoulder. "What surprised that I'm part of such a distinguished lineage, too?"

I huffed and entered the dining room to find a stack of massive, unmarked crates with illegible writing on them. Violet murmured to herself, seeming to read them before moving them around to get the third box down.

“What is all this?” I asked.

Violet smiled. “Help me carry them into the kitchen, and I’ll show you. The fourth one, please?”

I grabbed the box, nearly staggering under its unexpected weight. “What the hell is in here? Rocks?”

“Supplies,” she replied, already halfway to the kitchen with the box she grabbed. “Just set them on the counter.”

By the time we’d moved four of the eight crates, my curiosity was simmering. “Care to explain?”

Violet wiped her hands on a towel and turned to me, her expression calm but deliberate.

“I reached out to my family. Specifically, about you.”

My stomach tightened. “What did you tell them?”

“Very little,” she assured me. “Nothing specific about your magic, just enough to put together a request list. They don’t know anything for sure—at least, they won’t until Bennett gets back and gives his report. Expect more deliveries.”

I helped open one of the crates, but I didn't recognize any of it.

“And what’s the end goal here, Violet?”

She pried open another box and gathered things in her arms. It all looked like random glass bottles.

“Getting you up to speed with your own magic. This is step one.” She shook a jar of what looked like herbs. “Proper nourishment.”

“Nourishment?” I echoed, incredulous. "I eat plenty."

Violet smirked, pulling out a bundle of what looked suspiciously like dried seaweed.

“Sure, but you eat plenty for that will do almost nothing for you magically. You’ve been burning through your reserves without even realizing it. Magic takes a toll, Theo. Your body needs more than the average werewolf diet and game on this side of the border can provide. Didn't you feel different after we ate with Master Remy?"

I blinked and nodded. I did, but it hadn't lasted very long. To be honest, I felt different all day.

"So… what happens?"

She beamed. "Tomorrow morning. I make you breakfast."