Page 27 of The Warlock's Trial

“That doesn’t count,” I insisted with a laugh. “I wasn’t conscious.”

We all had a good laugh, and I recounted other stories about our relationship as we went through the questions. It was a lot of fun.

Talia had brought a wedding-themed tarot deck, and we all took turns giving each other readings. Talia drew for my future with Lucas, and it was no surprise that she pulled The Lovers card, which depicted a bride and groom at the altar. The Lovers was a card of harmony and meaningful relationships. It was certainly a good sign for our relationship.

Finally, Chloe wheeled out a cart full of liquor and fruit juices, and we broke into teams to compete on who could brew the best wedding cocktail. Verla and I teamed up, and since I didn’t drink alcohol, we used a shot of Grant’s Fizzy Bubbly he brewed last week. It was a potion he’d come up with designed to keep his blood sugar from spiking. It was alcohol-free, but whatever spell he’d put on it still made a person tipsy. Verla and I won by mixing it with cranberry and orange juice.

We lounged on the couches in the living room, sipping our cocktails and laughing.

“If you’ll all turn your attention to our cats, I believe they have prepared some entertainment,” Chloe announced.

Verla stood, and when she cleared her throat, the cats came running. “Places everyone.”

Verla pressed a button on the TV remote, and a slow wedding song came over the speakers. The cats began to spin around each other in a coordinated motion, like they were ballroom dancing. Then the beat changed, becoming more upbeat. The cats joined in a center circle, then jumped outward in sync. They spun around like they were chasing their tails, then rolled over on their bellies. It was beautifully in sync and fun to watch. We all applauded when they finished.

“Good kitties!” Verla praised as she tossed them all treats.

“I think it’s time for presents!” Onyx exclaimed.

All around the room, people conjured their gifts. I was overwhelmed by how many packages there were.

“Open mine first!” Chloe said, shoving a package in my direction.

I sat straighter on the couch and set my drink on the end table. I tore open the wrapping paper and found a white candle inside. Mine and Lucas’s name were etched on the candle, along with our wedding date.

“It’s a wedding candle for relationship rituals,” Chloe said. “You and Lucas can use it in your spellwork. Miles and I made it at a shop in Hok’evale.”

“That’s really thoughtful,” I told her. “Thank you, Chloe.”

I unwrapped Onyx’s present next and found a box full of all kinds of amethyst crystals. Some of them were raw stone, while others were cut to points. I could feel the alchemy magic pulsing off of them.

I laughed. “You know me too well.”

Onyx chucked. “I figured you could have fun brewing potions.”

Onyx knew I’d been using Alchemy crystals in class when I was pretending to be an Alchemist. She charged up the crystals with her magic so I could use them to brew potions.

“I love it, Onyx.” I set the crystals aside and started opening her next present. I stilled when I saw the next gift she’d given me. It was a leather-bound book, and when I opened it, I found handwritten instructions for love potions. It was incredible. It came in a box with a few herbs to accompany some of the potions.

“These are the best potions I could find for relationships,” Onyx said. “The first one is an aphrodisiac brew for your wedding night.”

“Ooh, I’m making that for sure. Is it safe for my body?” I asked.

“It’s totally safe for everyone,” she confirmed. “It’s even approved for pregnant women.”

“Thank you, Onyx.” I leaned over to give her a hug.

Verla went next, and she handed me a small box wrapped in blue foil. Inside sat a beautiful hairpin with blue stones in it.

“It’s your something old, something borrowed, and something blue—symbols of good luck for a bride on her wedding day,” Verla told me. “It was my grandmother’s. I lent it to your mother when she got married.”

I went speechless. “My mom wore this to her wedding?”

Verla nodded. “Yes. And I think she’d want you to wear it, too.”

I couldn’t help it when I started tearing up. I didn’t have a lot left of my mom. Most of my mementos had been destroyed in the fire at Grammy’s house. I still had a small box I’d rescued from my dorm room that I kept in my stash, but that was it. I knew technically this hair pin didn’t belong to my mom, but she had a connection to it, and that made it really special. I couldn’t believe I’d get to wear the same hair pin on my wedding day as my mother did.

“Thank you so much,” I told Verla, before crossing the room to pull her into a hug. I choked up and couldn’t find the words to tell her just how much this meant to me. My own mother wasn’t here, but Verla had brought a piece of her to this party, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I knew my parents were gone, and they weren’t coming back in the same way they’d been here before. I’d said goodbye to them long ago, but I still wished they could’ve made it to this wedding. I didn’t think Verla realized it, but she was the family I needed when my own wasn’t here.

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