The Dutiful Witch (The Ward Witches) Read Free Page B

recommend.” Fiona locked eyes with his and switched to a more serious tone. “I'm glad you reconsidered talking to me.”
    “ I think I am too.”
    “ Does it help if I say that I've been looking for my bond-mate for a long time but didn't expect to find anyone like you?”
    “ I'm not sure. Is that a compliment or a criticism?”
    “ A little of both, I would think. Did you have any kind of expectations?”
    “ I suppose you could say that. I thought she'd, or rather, you'd be more soft-spoken, almost diminutive. I think I saw a woman who would support from the background. I can tell you're more of a front-lines kind of woman.”
    “ You've got that right. But you shouldn't worry too much. I'm not going to demand the position as Duchess. If you give it to me one day, I'll do my best to fulfill the role. But I will only be Duchess if and when you've asked me to be.”
    He seemed stunned. “You...? What?” The waiter arrived, and Seb ordered the veal piccata, just as she hoped he would. “What do you mean?”
    “ I have looked for a bond-mate, someone whose magic will call to mine. I am not a power grabber, and I'm not here to be a celebrity or something like that. I don't want you to think that of me. I will let you write my position in your life, as I will hope that you will let me determine your place in my life. This is a magical marriage, and we both know that we're forming an alliance of sorts and not a fairy tale romance. I really am not marrying you for the title, and I want to make sure we're both clear on that.”
    “ I appreciate that. Thank you. I haven't thought about a bond for years, and I haven't really given much thought to where she might fit into what I've inherited and what I've built.”
    “ Take your time. However, I think we do need to make the bond,” Fiona reasoned, trying to seem low-pressure as she played with her napkin. “The bond will make both of our magics stronger. It will show that we support magical bonds and all that they entail. I personally can't see a pressing reason why we should wait when we know it's inevitable. We can figure out the relationship details after the fact.”
    “ You make this sound rather like a business transaction.”
    “ In a way it is, isn't it?” She asked, still trying to suppress her emotions.
    He looked like he was about to get angry, but then just looked tired. “You're right. It would be easier to navigate our way into a relationship if we already have the bond in place.” Their food arrived, and conversation stalled for a few minutes. “This is good.”
    “ I told you.”
    “ So I suppose we should make the bond tonight and file the requisite marriage paperwork with the state tomorrow,” he said, scrubbing his hands through his hair. It was sexy, and Fiona wanted to replace his hands with hers to feel just how soft his hair really was.
    “ That sounds like a plan. If you would prefer to do it at my apartment rather than bring me to the Coven House as of yet, we can do that too.”
    “ That might indeed be easier. They'll know when they see me next...”
    “ But there's no reason to involve them in our private business before it becomes public business.”
    “ Exactly.” When she finished eating, Fiona grabbed her purse to head to the restroom. But rather than go straight there, she stopped their waiter and gave him her credit card. “I'm on a date, and I don't want him to pay. Please charge both the meals to this.” The waiter looked dubious, but he took the card anyway. When she got back, all there was to do was sign the receipt and give a generous tip.
    “ You paid?” Seb asked, incredulous.
    “ I chose the place. And I'm not used to accepting charity. I pay my own way.”
    “ You paid my way, too,” he observed.
    “ Like I said, I chose.”
    “ You chose, you ordered, and you paid. For both of us.”
    “ Sounds about right to me.”
    He shook his head and laughed, something that she could tell he didn't do often.