Page 30 of Magic on the Prowl

The brewery was a welcome respite from the day’s sorrow. The warm, yeasty scent of brewing beer filled the air, mingling with the low hum of conversation. Roarke spotted Kade, Bram, and Lark seated at a large table in the corner, their faces somber but their eyes brightening as they approached.

“Glad you could make it,” Kade said, pushing a mug of dark ale across the table toward Roarke. “We saved you a seat.”

Roarke accepted the mug with a grateful nod, settling into a chair. The men fell into easy conversation, sharing stories of the battle and those they had lost. There were moments of laughter, memories of happier times, and moments of quiet reflection, each lost in their own thoughts.

As the night wore on, the somber atmosphere in the brewery gradually shifted, the weight of their shared grief giving way to a quiet celebration of life and love. The conversation turned to the women who had stood beside them through the darkest of times, their unwavering strength and dedication shining like a beacon of hope amidst the chaos.

Reed leaned forward, his eyes softening as he spoke of Ellie. “You should have seen her,” he said, his voice filled with awe. “She was like an angel of mercy, moving among the wounded with a gentle touch and a fierce determination.”

He recounted how Ellie had worked tirelessly, her hands glowing with the soft light of healing magic as she tended to the injured. “She never faltered, never hesitated,” Reed continued, his tone hushed with reverence. “Even when the battle raged around her, she remained focused, pouring every ounce of her strength into saving lives.”

Kade nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Celeste was a force to be reckoned with,” he said, his eyes glinting with pride. “She stood tall and fearless.”

He described how Celeste had faced down the enemy, her auburn hair whipping in the wind as magic crackled at her fingertips. “She was like a goddess of war.” Kade chuckled, shaking his head in amazement. “I swear, the Reapers actually took a step back when they saw the fire in her eyes.”

Bram leaned back in his chair, his broad shoulders shaking with laughter. “Tabitha was right there with her,” he said, his voice warm with affection. “You know how she is, always ready for a fight. She had this grin on her face like she was daring the Reapers to come closer.”

He went on to describe how Tabitha had wielded her magic like a master swordswoman, her movements graceful and deadly. “She was a blur of motion,” Bram said, his eyes distant as he relived the memory. “Spells flying left and right, Reapers dropping like flies. It was a thing of beauty.”

Lark, who had been quietly nursing his beer, finally spoke up. “Sera saved my life,” he said softly, his voice thick with emotion. “I got separated from the others, surrounded by a group of Reapers. I thought I was done for.”

He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. “But then Sera was there, her magic wrapping around me like a shield. She stood between me and the Reapers, her eyes blazing with determination.”

Lark’s voice grew stronger as he recounted how Sera had fought with the precision of a surgeon, her spells slicing through the enemy ranks like a scalpel. “She never wavered, never showed an ounce of fear,” he said, his tone filled with admiration. “She was my guardian angel, my savior.”

As the men shared their stories, Roarke felt a swell of emotion rising in his chest. He thought of Daisy, his heart overflowing with love and gratitude. “They’re amazing, aren’t they? These women who stand beside us, who fight with us, who love us.”

Each of the men nodded with a smile.

The conversation flowed on, each man taking turns to share the moments that had touched their hearts, the small gestures of love and support that had carried them through the darkest of times.

Reed spoke of how Ellie had held him when the weight of leadership became too much to bear, her gentle words and soothing touch easing the burden on his shoulders.

Kade recounted how Celeste had stayed up all night, brewing potions and enchanting weapons to ensure the town’s defenses were as strong as possible.

Bram’s voice was filled with laughter as he described how Tabitha had insisted on sparring with him before the battle, her playful taunts and quick wit keeping his spirits high even in the face of danger.

And Lark, his eyes misty with emotion, shared how Sera had whispered words of love and encouragement in his ear as they stood side by side, ready to face whatever the future held.

As Roarke listened, he felt a sense of kinship with these men, a deep understanding of the bond they shared with their partners. He looked around the table, seeing not just friends, but brothers in arms united by love and strength.

As Roarke listened, a realization dawned like the sun after a long, dark night. He thought of Daisy, his heart swelling with emotion.

In that moment, he knew with absolute certainty that she was his future, his everything. The laughter and light she brought into his life and the way she made him feel whole and accepted was a gift beyond measure.

As the night drew to a close, Roarke found Daisy at Molly’s bakery. They bid their farewells, stepping out into the quiet streets of Whispering Pines. The town was still healing, but there was a sense of peace in the air, a knowledge that they would weather this storm as they had all others. He reached out, taking her hand in his. “I love you,” he said softly, the words falling from his lips like a prayer. “I never knew what it meant to have a home until I found you.”

Daisy’s breath hitched, her eyes widening in surprise and joy. “I love you too, Roarke. More than I ever thought possible.”

They leaned in, their lips meeting in a kiss that held the promise of a lifetime.

Hand in hand, they walked toward Daisy’s house, the porch light a welcoming beacon in the darkness. They settled onto the porch swing, Daisy curling into Roarke’s side as they gazed up at the stars.

For a long moment, they sat in comfortable silence, simply enjoying the feeling of being together. Then, Daisy let out a shuddering sigh, her shoulders beginning to shake as the tears she had been holding back all day finally broke free.

Roarke gathered her into his arms, holding her close as she wept for those they had lost, for the pain and sorrow that had touched so many lives. He stroked her hair, murmuring words of comfort and love, his own tears mingling with hers.

As her sobs subsided, Daisy lifted her head, her eyes red-rimmed but filled with a fierce determination. “We have to make sure this never happens again,” she said, her voice rough with emotion. “We have to protect our home, our people.”

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