Page 92 of The Neighborhood Ghost

Alice and Hugo glanced at each other. Their eyes locked. Each gave a knowing half-smile. Their fingers met and interlocked, connecting each other once again.

The Oaken King said, “I will keep it safe, so no one will ever see it again. I will spread the word the spell has been destroyed, so no one else will seek it and use it for nefarious purposes. But since this is a special occasion with a profession of love, we should use it one more time.”

“We tried drinking it a second time. It didn’t prevent Hugo from turning into a vampire,” Alice said.

“No. No, the spell won’t cure vampirism. You are a vampire forever. The transformation still occurred, and you will carry it for the rest of your days.”

Hugo bowed his head.

“However,” the Oaken King began. “It can be used to cure some of your ailments. Please spit into this cauldron.”

“But it didn’t work the last time,” Alice protested. “He suffered despite drinking from it.”

“But did you both drink from it the second time?”

Alice closed her eyes, recalling the events. She was in a hurried panic; she never second guessed her actions until now. Hugo drank from the cup. She did not.

Alice shook her head. “I did not.”

“Please. Spit,” he commanded.

Hugo and Alice both stuck their heads into the bubbling cauldron and spit, once again forming The Lovers’ Kiss. The Oaken King used a wooden ladle and dipped it into the bubbling cauldron. He extracted the spell and poured it into an awaiting wineglass. The Oaken King presented it to Hugo and Alice.

He said, “Now drink.”

Alice and Hugo locked eyes and nodded. Hugo took a drink first from the wooden cup and then handed it to Alice. She took a sip. An explosion of flavor and acidity washed over her tongue. Her body erupted with warmth and happiness and love. Every cell in her body was on fire with life. She could see sound and hear colors. The great symphony of the universe played out before her. It rivaled the best cookies from Holly Claus.

“Whoa,” Alice said as she set the cup down.

“We fairies are the guardians of love. I wanted to give you the greatest wedding gift I could. Hugo Dodds, while you may still be a vampire, the sun’s rays will not harm you. Your blood will not boil. You will not turn to ash. Your bloodlust will no longer overwhelm you, and you shall no longer frenzy,” the Oaken King said.

“Thank you. Thank you for everything,” Hugo replied.

“You don’t know how much all of this means to us,” Alice added.

Hugo paused, focusing on the ground. “I have one more thing to ask. My reflection. He disappeared when I turned, and Alice’s reflection lost her lover. Can she cast a magical reflection of me again?”

“The moment you drank the spell, your reflection returned,” the Oaken King said.

Alice and Hugo turned to each other with smiles on their faces.

“You know, they’re probably—” Hugo began.

“They’re going to have a lot of fun before we return home,” Alice said.

They laughed.

“This is why I created the spell. For lovers. For those who are willing to risk everything for each other,” the Oaken King said.

“Thank you,” Alice said with a tear in her eye. “Thank you so much.”

“And now for my favorite part of a wedding,” the Oaken King said, clapping his hands together and shimmying his hips. “Let’s go dance.”

Chapter 28

The Witch and The Vampire

The household was decked out in all the trimmings of Christmas. Cinnamon, dried oranges, and pine scents filled the air. Rich, green garland hung from the walls and bookshelves. A yule log crackled in the fireplace. Five stockings hung from the mantle in between the icicle like wax drippings of the candles above.

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