Being married without being actually married was a very interesting way to live life. It seemed to still come with all of the responsibilities of marriage, with a whole new level of commitment, as the bond was definitely more binding than a marriage license. Just without the tax benefits. And then there was the whole living together with someone you were barely dating.
Let’s just say there were pros and cons.
One of the pros was definitely breakfast. Zhen was a morning person and I was decidedly not with the working hours I kept. We’d figured out early on he was in charge of coffee and breakfast because if I was doing it, it was more like coffee and lunch.
I tromped down the stairs this morning, still half asleep. We were expecting Jo Jo to come and stay with us on Thursday, so while we still had a few days, I’d been up last night like a possessed person making sure the house was more or less put together. It was bound to be a busy week, and luckily the guest rooms were the last thing on our list to knock out. We’d gotten home two days ago from a swamp mission from hell—thankfully the final job for Zhen’s month—and I’d summoned the energy to tackle the guest bedrooms yesterday, Zhen helping me put the beds together and assemble any remaining furniture. I could rest easy now, knowing Jo Jo would have a comfortable stay and I could focus on work the next few days until his arrival.
Sann joined me at the bottom of the stairs, rubbing up against my legs and purring. I knew why.
“I know for a fact Zhen fed you,” I told him, although I still bent down to rub his head because our speckled void baby was a conniving old man, but still a loveable one. “You are not a Hobbit. You do not get two breakfasts.”
Sann followed me into the kitchen anyway because he was nothing if not hopeful, but kitty love was a good way to start my morning.
Truly, I loved my months. Mostly because there were no EFTs. I hated the Evil Flying Things with a passion. And swamps. Swamps were now on my shit list. I was also leery, though, because we were now in October. October, or the month of Samhain, was an insane month for demon hunters. Anything that could go wrong, would go wrong. And by that logic, go epically wrong simply for shits and giggles. I’d already promised Zhen to be flexible this month. If something absolutely went pear shaped, I was down to go and had already warned Boss. It would only stress us both out if I tried to put my foot down. We’d need to start fresh with the work schedules in the upcoming year, and schedule it so that going forward, October was always Zhen’s month. This year we’d screwed up because we hadn’t thought ahead.
At least Charlotte was now trained to handle office stuff in my absence, so there was less stressor on my shoulders.
I smelled coffee, which meant my lovely husband had done his job. I beelined for the pot. I poured myself a cup, doctored it, downed half, and felt like my brain might fully come online now. Wheeeeee.
“You look awake but not operational,” my husband observed.
I grunted, taking another sip. He looked very functional. Black hair damp and around his shoulders, he’d clearly showered recently. He even had pants on at this godforsaken hour.
Turning, I looked around the kitchen. Zhen had cleaned up after himself this morning…or was he going the easy route with cereal? So long as it left the kitchen clean, I was fine either way. In fact, he sat at the bar with a bowl in front of him and...wait. Was that two cereal boxes?
“What, you couldn’t decide between the Lucky Charms and the Shredded Wheat?”
“Yeah,” he agreed, before scooping another spoonful into his mouth.
Then I realized he meant that literally. He’d poured both cereals into his bowl! “You heathen, you’re eating both at once?!”
He grinned and popped another spoonful of brightly colored marshmallows and mushy Shredded Wheat into his mouth. The visual alone disturbed me on a primal level.
“There’s something wrong with you,” I said with a shudder. Seriously, those two cereals did not mix!
“Everyone we know would agree with you.” Not at all bothered to be an outlier, he kept eating.
Well, I had been planning to eat cereal, but after that show and tell, my mouth was too horrified to contemplate it. Bagel it was.
I toasted my bagel, slathered it with some blueberry cream cheese, and settled at the bar beside Zhen. My husband was in his favorite all black, long sleeve shirt and jeans, which made sense as Fall weather had brought cooler temps. Black was definitely his color. Brought out those dark brown eyes of his. Not that he needed more help being handsome. “What’s your plan for today?”
“Since guest rooms are ready and I’ve got a few free days, probably working on my swords. All of them need sharpening, and I’ve got to redo the hilt of the wakizashi.”
The last fight we’d had was hard on his equipment. The Lizard Man’s scaly green skin had acted something like armor, and it was hell on the swords. Zhen had used the wakizashi as an anchor at one point, and the hilt had suffered as a result, a whole chunk of it now missing. It wasn’t exactly comfortable to wield. No surprise he’d spend the day fixing his swords. Zhen tried to keep battle ready, after all.
“If there’s anything I’ve learned from your hunts, it’s to not bring any clothes I’m partial to. And bring soap strong enough to perform exorcisms.” I shot Zhen a pointed look.
“Aww, honey, just because you got covered in green blood and piss—”
“I’m still debating which is worse.”
“You were covered in piss but at least you weren’t on fire,” he pointed out.
Husbands. Making unhelpful comments since the beginning of time.
Really, I’d been able to avoid most of the hunt while Zhen ran around like a crazy person. It wasn’t until the final boss fight I’d stepped in, partially to lower Zhen’s stress levels, partially so I could snipe. It was a testament of how far we’d come with our bond that we could spend most workdays away from each other. It used to be we couldn’t manage more than a few hours, and even then, only if we were in short range of each other. Now, we were able to do about eight hours and around ten miles apart. Which was amazing as it meant we could both do our jobs without breathing down each other’s necks. Well, mostly. If Zhen had to travel outside of Demonbreun, which had been practically all of September, I still had to go with him. Even after our acceptance, the bond only allowed so much distance to come between us before it started getting uppity.
At least unlike in late June, when I’d first been forced to go hunting with Zhen, I now had the choice of staying in a hotel if Zhen deemed the fight too dangerous or Boss needed me to hop on a client call, which was how I’d operated a good chunk of my time last month. But thanks to Uncle Ty, I’d found I had a talent for sniping. In this business, every helping hand was needed, and I liked sniping, so I wanted to continue honing my skills to be of use whenever the situation allowed.
But I did regret coming in to snipe that last hunt because I hadn’t been able to really avoid the worst of the gunk. Anyone within a half mile got hit, or so it felt.
I only wanted to fight from a distance. I’d had enough of monster fluids, thanks muchly.
Bond progress aside, the temptation to wring Min Min and Jian Ju’s necks remained strong. The you hun ye gui really should not have performed a binding spell on us. Why they’d bulled ahead despite the taboo of binding living people together, I could not fathom. I know they’d said they wanted to share the happiness, but seriously?
I refused to play matchmaker outside of work anymore if non-consensual binding was going to be my thanks. We’d taken the information to Zhen’s family right after the housewarming party and while it’d helped give us context of how the bond had happened, it didn’t tell us how to undo the binding.
I still wanted it undone because I wasn’t keen on following Zhen around on missions, but at this point, I felt more ambivalent toward it. The bond no longer actively hurt us, or crippled our ability to do our jobs. I’d be on my way home from work by time it started getting antsy, like a dog you had to let outside after being gone all day. We’d eventually figure out how to undo the bond, or it would adapt enough to let Zhen do short hunting trips without me. We’d made so much progress on that front already, I remained quite hopeful.
But all complications aside, I liked being with Zhen. He was fast becoming my favorite person ever. We’d only been “married” four months, so I was still learning about him like you would in a typical dating phase, but he’d made a rough situation so much easier by bending over backward to help make me more comfortable. I’d been attracted to him from the first moment we’d met—I mean, I think most girls would, what with his model height, infectious smile, and those sharp cheekbones—but it was more than physical attraction now. He was genuinely great company, kept me laughing, and I felt listened to. Bonus points were that the sex was scorching hot and he was a good cook. I mean, the man had built me my own library. What’s not to love?
Well…I might be tempted to strangle him sometimes because of his nonstop energy, but so long as he had something for the wiggles, my sanity stayed intact.
Honestly, if Min Min and Jian Ju hadn’t forced our hands, we’d probably be in a committed relationship right now anyway. We truly did like each other, and given a bit more time, I’d probably fall in love with this crazy man. I just wished I’d been given the chance to have a more organic relationship rather than poof! Instant husband.
Zhen got up from his barstool, rinsed his bowl out in the sink—and for the grand finale—loaded it in the dishwasher. I watched him and let out a dreamy sigh.
“You’re so sexy when you do dishes.”
He laughed loudly and wiggled his ass. “It’s the view, isn’t it?”
“Absolutely. Has nothing to do with you being a responsible adult.”
Still laughing, he turned to wink. “I do try. How awake are you?”
“Fairly, why?”
“Serious talk for a second. Now that the house is sorted, we need to figure out financials.”
“Oh, now that’s a good thought for sure.”
Things had been rather up in the air the past few months. A lot had happened, and financially, things had been a bit screwy. My sister had moved into Zhen’s old apartment while we finished the house, which meant we’d stayed in my apartment for a while. It had been awkward with half of our stuff in two different places, to say the least. Then we’d moved everything into the finished house, with me breaking my lease. Zhen had covered all the expenses for the renovations, but I’d paid utility bills, groceries, and such as they popped up. I hadn’t felt right living here without contributing, and between my inheritance and salary, I wasn’t exactly hurting.
We’d constantly double checked with each other to make sure bills were paid and we didn’t pay them twice, though. Not exactly an efficient system.
Zhen continued, “Here’s my thought. What if we create a joint checking account for household expenses? We both put our half of what we need to run the house in there, including an estimation of what groceries or eating out will cost.”
I snapped my fingers. “Now that sounds more efficient. I can set up automatic withdrawals that way, so bills are still being paid even if we’re on the opposite end of the country.”
He beamed, pleased I’d agreed. “See? It’ll work out better. Hmm. I’m not exactly sure of the breakdown or what our total looks like.”
I held up a hand. “I’ve been putting expenses on an Excel spreadsheet to make sure bills were paid every month, so I know what it totals out to.”
His head canted to the side, fine black hair shifting with the movement. “You’re always so organized, lao po. You even keep a spreadsheet of what books you have.”
“Because otherwise I forget what I have in paperback and buy triplicate.”
Zhen snorted, dark brown eyes crinkling up. “Now that doesn’t surprise me.”
It shouldn’t. He’d taken me on bookstore dates, after all.
“I’d have to look at the spreadsheet to give you an exact number, but between bills, groceries, and incidentals, it’s about four thousand a month since you don’t have a mortgage payment.” Zhen had bought this house at auction for a song, and paid in cash, so he was solid there. All he had to pay were taxes and insurance, which wasn’t anything comparable to a mortgage for this house. Especially with it all fixed up now. “Ah, but that was for a travel month, so our food bill was ridiculously high with all the eating out. It might be less on my months.”
“Either way, we should expect a crazy high month and let money accumulate if it’s not needed that particular month. Travel expenses do eat away at a paycheck. Are you comfortable paying two thousand into the account every month?”
“I am, sure. I can swing by the bank and get an account set up before I go into work today, if you want to use your usual bank?”
Zhen shrugged one shoulder. “Sure, why not?”
“Then let’s do it. I want this set up and ready to go before the next disaster strikes.”
“Music to my ears.” He came in to lean against the bar, bracing his hip against it. “How’s Charlotte liking the job, anyway, now that she’s got two months under her belt?”
“Well, the language lessons are coming apace, and she’s got the office work down pat. It probably would have been a rougher start if not for how warmly Boss welcomed her, and I think she was so starved for true affection, she’s kind of adopted Boss as a grandmother and wanted to work hard to make her happy. Which pisses me off because I know it was our parents who made her feel that way, but I’m glad Boss has taken her under her wing.”
Zhen looked pensive. “Agreed. I know she was mostly volunteering her time that first month, just to see if she could even do the job. She’s worked hard from day one, and she really is picking up the Mandarin pretty quickly, probably because she’s surrounded by it on a daily basis.”
“I gave her a bunch of shows to watch, too. She’s binging C-dramas and picking up phrases. It will take her a few years, but she’ll get there. Don’t let her fool you, she’s a smartie in disguise. As for the job itself, she mentioned she’s happy her Hospitality Degree isn’t going to waste on frivolous parties and being a good hostess to snobby guests. That’s why our parent’s picked it for her, after all. To be their prize mare.” My nose scrunched in disgust. “The matchmaking business is focused on making people comfortable and happy, which I think gives her a sense of pride knowing the past few years of hard work weren’t solely for pleasing shitty parents.”
“That was my impression, that she’s getting the job aspect down and really dived in. Her Mandarin is at a kindergarten level, but the fact she’s willing to learn the language at all speaks volumes to me.” Zhen rubbed his chin, a hint of stubble rasping against his fingers. “I wish learning a language was poof! Downloaded.”
“Wouldn’t that be nice? Still, it’s such an accomplishment when you do get conversational in a language. I know she took a few years of French for her degree and enjoyed learning the language, so she’ll eventually get there with Mandarin too. I want that moment of pride for her, the sudden ‘Hey I can actually talk to people!’ It’s exhilarating.”
He buffed his nails against his shirt before inspecting them. “Hmm, I wouldn’t know.”
Fucking sassy brat. I readied an air punch and he cackled. Zhen had gotten it easy by growing up bilingual. Learning Mandarin had taken me four years and a degree. But I guess that’s life for you.
“I’m about to get ready to head into the office. Want me to throw something into the crockpot for dinner?”
“Ooh, yes. Good thought.”
I’d thought so. I loved coming home to something already cooked. And while Zhen was a good cook, he also became easily distracted by shiny things. If he planned to be in his workshop out back, god knows when he’d actually remember to stop and come in.
In fact, he headed out to the garage as I got up to prep ingredients, so he clearly had multiple projects to work on.
It didn’t take long for me to rummage through fridge and pantry, coming up with the right ingredients for chili, a special recipe from Jasha. Let’s face it, half my recipes came from Jasha, since he was the one who’d taught me how to cook. Ten minutes to prepare everything and pour it into the crockpot, timer set, and presto, dinner was done.
Bagel finished, I cleaned and headed for the stairs to pick out my clothes, nearly tripping over Mùchén, who’d decided the hallway was the only possible place to nap. I received a huffed laugh for my peril. Twenty minutes later I gave Zhen a kiss bye, hopped in my Volvo, and away to the bank I went.
Setting up a new account when Zhen already had one at this bank was easy peasy lemon squeezy. I made sure the new account was under both our names, transferred two thousand into it, and done. I texted Zhen the details of the account so he could put money in as well. If I had a quiet moment at work, I’d start setting up the automatic withdrawals for our bills. I’d rather have it all set up now before I forgot or got distracted.
Zhen’s cases tended to be very distracting, after all.
It was while I was walking out of the bank Jasha called.
“Hey friendo, what’s shakin’?”
“Hey. Zhen’s friend who’s the expert, when is he due in, again?”
“On Thursday, barring an emergency. Why?”
“Just double checking. I want to be available when he gets in.”
“Ah, that’s fair. How’s the sword?”
“It’s good. Zhen texted he and his dad are still planning to swing by on Wednesday—something about one last check before Jo Jo flies in—so it’ll be fine until then. Probably. I don’t think it’s done anything since Démas last put a sealing spell on it. At least nothing about the shop has been off.”
“Good to know.” After Guo had said Jasha seemed to have a magical air, Zhen and Dad had checked him over several times. But he hadn’t shown any signs of magic either in July or August, and they’d chalked it up to energy from the sword. Still, if the sword affected Jasha that much, the thought of Jasha being around it scared me. Who knew what extended exposure to the sword would do? So I was doubly glad Jo Jo was coming. “Still, we’d rather the curse be taken care of.”
“Truly. I swear I’ve called every extended relative and then some, but no one’s had the slightest clue about how the sword was cursed and when.”
“We might not ever figure out the answer. But don’t fret about it, Jo Jo’s beside himself with excitement. Apparently he loves all things Norse and having an actual Viking sword to coo over is making his inner fangirl go apeshit.”
Jasha chuckled. “Well, happy to serve? So long as he doesn’t demand the sword in payment, we’re good.”
“He’s better behaved than that. Probably. Anyway, his flight is Thursday. I’m trying to keep the house clean before he gets in.”
“Good luck. I just got another batch of kitties to settle in. Speaking of, Sann and Mr. Bond adjusting back to their environment okay? They were angels while you were gone, by the way. I did see one of the huodou pop in to check on them occasionally.”
I snorted a laugh. “The huodou have decided they are very young, like children, and make sure at least one of the Pack is with the cats or checks in on them regularly. I’ve tried to explain one of them is an old man kitty, but it fell on deaf ears. Really, they just like the cats.”
“Sounds like it to me. So long as everyone’s happy, I don’t see the issue.”
“Exactly what I said. Thanks again for watching them while we were gone.”
“Sure, my pleasure.”
“I gotta go, I’m almost at work. If I’m lucky, nothing weird will happen today.”
“Did you knock on wood? Because I think you jinxed yourself.”
“Hush, you. It can’t compete with Zhen’s level of weirdness, so whatever happens, it’ll be fine.”
