Free Warlock's Charm by Marly Mathews Page B

upbringing; hers
wasn’t needy but she’d had a much more sensible upbringing than what Damien had
been granted.
    He reached out and gripped her hand. “I would like it much
better if you were to shower with me.”
    She smirked. “Why don’t we share a shower later, you get
that stuff off yourself first and then we’ll see how appealing you are to me.”
She winked at him and gingerly stepped past him so she was out in the hallway.
    She used her powers to collect the mess that was on the
floor and deposited it back on the tray. Reaching down, she picked up the tray
and looked at him in concern. “Do you need me to help you up?”
    He looked incredulous. She had probably just hurt his
manhood. “I can handle myself, thanks.” He looked disgusted with himself.
    “I appreciate your effort, Damien. I really do, and I won’t
hit you with an energy ball the next time I’m startled awake—or at least I’ll
try not to.”
    She turned to walk down the hallway to the staircase and
stopped cold when confronted with the patiently waiting form of Mr. Reeves.
    “I heard quite the commotion, mistress. I thought it best to
come and see if all was right with yours and the master’s world.”
    She looked in consternation at him. Now she recalled why
she’d struggled with having a staff like the one that was invested at Silver
Gables. They were always in your business no matter what.
    “My husband was hungry. He decided he was a culinary expert
and made us this delightful treat.” She grimaced as she stared down at the mess
that was heaped on the tray.
    Reeves gave her an understanding smile. “The staff hasn’t
yet retired for the evening. The cook was very shocked to see the master down
in her domain. She decided to make herself scarce so he would think he was the
only one around.”
    Anya bit her lip. “Please give my apologies to the cook and
tell her I will endeavor to keep my husband away from her domain in the future.
He’s obviously not suited for it. If she could find it in her heart to make us
something to eat…”
    “I’m way ahead of you, mistress. She’s getting a nice little
spread ready for you as we speak. She’ll send it up when you ring for it.”
    “I never thought to look—I never imagined this house would
be outfitted with such an antiquated system.”
    “That system isn’t antiquated anymore on Vanguard Prime.
Many of the old ways that have gone out of fashion on Earth were resurrected
when the colonists came here and decided to mold this world to a gentler time
in Earth’s ancient past.”
    Dryness prickled in her throat. “Yes, they did resurrect
some good things—and some bad things—slavery being one of their worst
resurrections.”
    “Begging your pardon, my lady.” He tugged at his collar. “I
spoke out of turn.”
    “I welcome you to speak freely, Reeves. Not everyone
suffered as my family did during the Bloodbayne Terror.”
    “My family was untouched. My mother had no abilities that
anyone wanted, and my father was back on Earth when all of the troubles
occurred.”
    She understood Reeves’ point of view but she felt
uncomfortable talking about it.
    “I’ll tell Damien that food is on the way, and I should
probably help him get cleaned up. He was absolutely covered in tea and egg, and
I never thought the tea must have been burning hot. I should go and check him
to make sure he is unharmed. Please give my thanks to the cook.”
    She handed him the tray, nodded curtly at him, and turned
back toward the master suite.
    Her heart thundered in her chest and reverberated in her
ears. She clenched her hands at her side, and remembered the saying that she
and Dallas shared.
    “Keep your head down and your hands steady, Anya,” she
muttered beneath her breath.
    She wanted to stamp her feet and have a hissy fit of
monumental proportions but she had to hold it in—she had to keep her emotions
in check. She had to forgive the man his ignorance. He’d simply put his foot it
in it,