Read Constant Cravings for Free Online Page A

live?”
    “Aurora told me,” the elf said. He tossed his long hair over one shoulder. “Hello again to you too. Aren’t you going to invite me in or do I have to stand here until your neighbor propositions me again?”
    At that I laughed and motioned for him to come inside. He followed me through the short hallway into the living room, where he sighed with relief.
    “Great, you’ve got a fire. It’s butt-fucking cold outside.” While Nym moved toward the fireplace I propped against the wall, laughing.
    “What? You’ve never heard that expression before?”
    “I’m afraid not,” I said, regaining my composure.
    “It’s when you’re so cold you have to butt-fuck to keep warm.” I was still snickering when I moved back to the couch. Nym sat beside me and glanced at the book.
    “From Liam, I take it?”
    “Yes.”
    Nym looked concerned. “How are you today, did you rest? Surely he sent you a potion?”
    “He did, and it helped.” I sighed. “It feels good to laugh, even though I feel a little guilty.”
    “For laughing? Don’t be ridiculous. I know what it feels like to lose a friend. There are two very good ways to move beyond survivor’s guilt.” I was expecting to hear some tidbit from a grief counseling handbook. Instead Nym blurted out, “Laughter is great, but what really worked for me was to go out and screw like mad, which brings me to the reason for my visit.” My heart thumped painfully. “Nym, I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” He raised a brow and I was struck once more by his stunning good looks.
    26

    Constant Cravings
    “I could make you scream,” he said. “However, that’s not the reason for my visit.” I couldn’t decide if I was relieved or disappointed. “Then what brings you my way?”
    He sat back and crossed his legs, stretching his arms across the back of the sofa. “I have some information and Liam was indisposed.” Indisposed? That could mean anything and the way Nym said it made me think of something naughty. I was surprised by the pang of jealousy I felt at the thought of Liam being indisposed doing naughty things with another woman.
    “Doing what?”
    “Working a spell for you or so Aurora said. She was guarding his house from the front porch to make sure no one interrupts him. He’s making a potion.” Oh yeah, that was right. I felt stupid for my bizarre jealousy. After all, we’d just met last night and he told me about the spell. Of course he would be indisposed.
    “He said he needed two days, that he would bring something to relieve my pain.” Nym’s smile looked wistful as he leaned closer. “Do you know what is required for that spell?”
    I really didn’t. People often assumed I was a witch, but palm reading isn’t witchcraft. It might be magical on some level, but didn’t require spell work.
    “No.”
    “It requires a sacrifice of pain.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Liam needs two days to conjure up every painful memory he can. Everything that’s ever hurt him, that’s what he will put into the spell.” I felt terrible. “You mean he’s suffering right now just to help me?”
    “Yes.”
    “We should stop him,” I said, rising to my feet. “I don’t want him to hurt for my sake.”
    “Don’t worry,” Nym said, taking my hand. “He wants to do it, otherwise he wouldn’t have volunteered.”
    I let him pull me back onto the couch. The thought of Liam reliving painful memories broke my heart. But I took the elf’s advice and let it be. After all, he had known Liam longer than I had and he seemed unconcerned.
    “Now,” he said, “would you like to hear what I’ve learned?”
    “About my situation? You mean you’ve had time to learn something new since last night?”
    He laughed softly as he waved off my comment. “You underestimate me.” Now I was intrigued. “So, let’s have it then.”
    His smile was wicked. “How about a cup of elvish tea and I’ll dish?” 27

    Tracey H. Kitts
    “You’ve got tea bags