Page 67 of A Time of Witches

Chapter Thirty-Two

Lilith

A delicious scent lured Lilith into the kitchen with Dragon at her heels like a little shadow.

“Smells amazing,” she commented.

Asher waved a hand at the pan with gravy-laden beef atop a bed of potatoes and carrots. “Roast and veg. Proper comfort food.”

A flush of pleasure warmed through her chest. “You didn’t have to cook for me.”

“It’s the least I can do.” Asher gave her that lopsided half smile that was far too appealing. “After helping with Aunt Jacqueline and Dragon.”

Hearing his name, Dragon propped his front paws on the cabinet doors.

Lilith brushed off the compliment even as she flushed with pleasure. “It was really no trouble at all.”

Asher popped open two cans of food and set the bowls to the ground, which Dragon and Toby fell upon with indecent enthusiasm.

“Aunt Jacqueline ate a little earlier.” Asher pulled two plates from the cupboard. “I think she’s still quite exhausted from yesterday, though she won’t admit it. She’s been more active than usual lately.”

“That might be my fault,” Lilith said slowly. “Aunt Jacqueline seems to think there’s a reason I’m here.”

“Dragon would agree with her there.” He winked.

Lilith’s stomach fluttered with a whole mess of butterflies.

She bit her lip, hating her next statement before it was out of her mouth. “She says the house has been waiting for me…”

Asher stilled, his expression tense. A beat passed. Two.

Then he smiled in a way that was too quick, too easy, and passed her a plate.

Lilith took her food with thanks and they settled at a round wooden table in the kitchen with heaping servings and a bottle of wine.

Rather than press him for more information, she let an easy conversation fall between them, about his vet practice he’d started ten years ago, how Savannah compared to England.

Though she’d only been in England a few days, there was something comforting that felt more like home while Savannah somehow seemed foreign.

As the wine disappeared from the bottle and their questions flowed smoothly, an urgent nudge remained in the back of her mind.

The manor.

August 27.

How quickly time was running out.

A shuffle sounded behind Lilith. Aunt Jacqueline entered the kitchen in her nightgown, her hair like loose cotton around her shoulders.

She extended a small burlap pouch toward Lilith. “Dried hops for you. For a restful sleep.”

Asher quickly leaped to his feet. “Do you need something, Aunt Jacqueline?”

“Just delivering a gift.” Her eyes sparkled as they met Lilith’s, like they were in on the same secret.

Aunt Jacqueline exited the kitchen and Asher shook his head. “Sorry. You can just toss that in the rubbish bin if you’d like.”

“It was sweet of her to think of me.” Lilith set the small bag aside and the dried flowers within crackled at her touch. “Something tells me she always keeps you guessing.”