“Luci?” he asks.

But it is easier to show him.

I fling open my closet door and drop to my knees. The box is tucked behind my old suitcase. I have nothing left to hide and damn does that feel good.

I grab the dagger and spin around to face Drew. His eyes widen and he jumps back.

“Sorry,” I mutter.

I turn the dagger around and offer it to him hilt first.

“Please look after it,” I implore.

“What is it?”

“A fey dagger of immense power. It was given to me to use to open the portal.”

Drew’s face pales, but his hand is steady as he takes the offered dagger. I watch as shock and surprise flow over his face as the raw strength of the blade becomes unhidden.

“Wow,” he says.

“Hide it. Hide it somewhere no one can find it.”

I never wanted the portals to open. I never wanted the fey to return. There was never anything I could do about it. But there is now.

“They wanted you to use this?” Drew asks as he turns the dagger over in his hands.

Oh, no. I’ve messed up and more or less confessed to not working alone. But Drew does not seem surprised by that. I don’t think my claim fooled him in the first place. And I don’t think he is going to press me for names. He is an intelligent man, I’m sure he has figured out that it is my parents, and he understands I could never blatantly betray them. Sabotaging their plans is one thing. Naming them is quite another.

“Yes,” I say simply.

He looks up at me. Confusion glitters in his eyes. “But you are just a vessel?”

I take a deep breath. Gods know he deserves the truth. He is risking so much to keep me safe. It is the very least I can do in return.

“Vessels are far more powerful than most people know.”

His eyes widen even more, but he nods calmly.

“It was you that put out the fire when you climbed up the chimney.”

I nod. I’m impressed that he noticed that.

“I can’t wield magic with any skill. But raw power is limitless. Everyone knows vessels absorb power from the world around them, few know the extent of that. Vessels are conduits, catalysts. Capable of sucking in the energy of even the sun and redirecting it.”

Drew nods thoughtfully.

I take another breath and continue. “The intricate spell weaving of the fey is still in place around several old portals. All they need is a blast of immense raw power. Like a kick start. Any tapped vessel could do it, if they were aware of their strength.”

Drew lets out a low whistle. His gaze is fixed on the dagger in his hand, as if it holds all the answers. Suddenly he looks up at me and his dark eyes are all but blazing with intensity.

“Fucking hell, Luci! This is why vessels have been oppressed, disempowered and subjugated for centuries!”

Oh my. My heart is fluttering. My stomach twisting and my lungs stuttering. That makes so much sense. Drew really is clever. I never realized the truth about vessels before. My entire life. But Drew has it all figured out in five minutes. He truly is wonderful.

“Vessels are kick-ass,” he grins wolfishly. Pride and delight are sparkling in his eyes. He isn’t scared of me. Or put out that in some ways I’m stronger than him. He is proud.

A smile stretches across my lips. I’m married to the most wonderful man in the world and everything is going to be fine.

Chapter twenty-five

Luci

The chalk glides across the ancient oak floorboards. The soft sound is immensely satisfying. As are the smooth lines I am creating. My hand is steady and my knowledge sound. Runes and sigils are flowing effortlessly.

I crawl back from my latest creation so that Drew has space to work. I watch as he closes his eyes and holds his hand over my drawing. He skillfully directs his magic into it and the spell ignites into life. He turns my sketch into a living, breathing protection ward.

He opens his eyes and turns to me with a pleased smile. I smile back at him as my heart sings with joy. I love this. Working together as a mage and vessel should. Weaving and creating. And we are good at it. My husband and I work well together. It’s wonderful.

I crawl over to the next spot. Our home is going to be so well protected, nothing and no one is ever going to get in. Nobody will ever be able to hurt or harm us. We will be safe.

And I’m helping make it so. My education and knowledge enable me to draw the wards. The raw power I surrendered to my husband when I was ripe, is increasing my husband’s natural strength. The true work is his, but I’m making it much easier.

His ability to focus and direct magic is giving birth to the new weavings. While I’ve provided the fuel. It’s a good partnership.

I set chalk to wood in this new spot. The shapes and lines flow. I move back. Drew brings the empty symbols to life.

His hand rests on my shoulder before I can move on.

“How about a break?”

I look up at him. I’m kneeling on the floor in front of him. It reminds me of our wedding ceremony, but as I look into his dark eyes, I can see it is making him think of other things.

My heart flutters in response. Now I’m thinking of those things too. I abandon the chalk on the floor. My hands reach tentatively towards his belt buckle. He has never wanted this from me before. Is he going to decline?

His eyes widen as he realizes my intent. I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows. My hands pause midway between us.

“Are you sure?” he rasps.

I nod and lick my lips. I’m very, very sure. I’ve never been surer of anything.

“You don’t have…” he begins and then stops himself with a deep breath.

His hands go to his belt buckle. A few jerky movements and then his cock is free. Hard and glorious. It’s strange to think I’ve never seen it before. At least, not up close like this.

“You will swallow everything I give you, like a good boy, won’t you?” he rumbles.

“Yes, my lord husband,” I reply automatically.