Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 314 Ava: Grimoire's Manipulation

Before my eyes, the book's form fades. In its place, Grimoire materializes, perched on the edge of the table. Flames lick at his skin, but do nothing to the wood of the table. His expression is distinctly sour as he glowers at Lucas.

"It isn't right to wedge yourself between my bond with Ava."

I feel Lucas tense behind me, his hand tightening around mine.

"I'm not wedging myself anywhere. She's my mate."

Grimoire's eyes narrow. "And I am her magical counterpart. Our bond is just as important. Perhaps even more so."

The way my mate tenses behind me has me scrambling to defuse the situation. "Enough, Grimoire."

Know your place, Selene adds, her mental growl making my eardrums vibrate.

Lucas's thumb traces circles on the back of my hand, and when I glance back, he looks… pleased.

His lips curl up, his face relaxed. In fact, I think I'd categorize him as distinctly smug.

Grimoire, on the other hand, has shrunk from the size of a man to the size of a child. He even looks younger, the planes of his face round and soft, and his voice a higher pitch than before. "He still has to respect our bond," Grimoire insists, crossing his arms in a sulky demeanor that makes him seem about five years old.

He's…

Adorable.

Even though I know he's thousands upon thousands of years old, my heart pitters and patters, squeezing out maternal affection at his appearance.

Really? Selene's exasperation snaps me out of it. He's a book, Ava. Not your kid.

Frowning at Grimoire, I focus on the bond between us. There's an odd sort of fuzziness there that brings up all those maternal feelings again when I touch it.

narrow. "Are you manipulating my emotions,

woebegone child, and my heart trembles—until I slam closed the magical connection between

bond tugs and yanks

doesn't feel good to know he was able to force

The yanking stops.

warm against my back. "See? I

tug. So gentle I would miss it, if I

flowed into it last time. He hadn't

something to say to

suitably chastised. I

I ask suspiciously, "And how

swear I won't do it again. I allowed my jealousy to take over. You've been spending all your time with him and

you

can do

won't do it again. I promise. Please, let

hint of the condescending elitist; it's all back to

leaving child-Grimoire in its place. This

children can be cute. Nothing

child-Grimoire says

arms tightening around me. "Why is

something!" Grimoire holds up his tiny hands.

was helpful, Selene mutters. If I was there, he'd have teeth marks

"I'm sorry, okay? I

is hardly an

"What more should I—"

two is necessary for my sanity. "Why were you trying

childish look of his suits his personality.