Page 197 of Blue Moon Mistress

I hold it up and show them the charred wood, stained red and gold. “It’s a piece of last year’s Yule log. It’s the only right way to light one, unless it is your first and then… the traditions vary from family to family.”

This year’s log is already perched on the andirons.

Joshua collected it with me last week. Chase helped me drill the holes along its back. Thomas helped me fill them again with herbs and tinder. And Johnny is the one who knows exactly inthe elixir I’m about to pour over the top. They all played their part in its creation.

There are no words that need to be recited as I pour the honey-like liquid overtop. No spell to cast as I set flame to the small chunk of the log that carried me through the longest night of last year.

The room is filled with that strange stillness. Even the wolves are gathered near, as though they know that something incredible is about to begin… as if they can feel this strange wellspring of hope that’s taken over me. We’re about to end the year in which we met and set foot into the first year of the rest of our lives.

I lay the starter on top of the elixir and it catches flame in a rose gold sparkle, crackling to light as the dim light outside grows ever darker.

“What now?” Thomas asks as he helps me up.

“Now, you’re trapped with me.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad.” Thomas turns me back to the food.

“We can move around the house however much we want, but we can’t go outside, and someone has to always be with it.”

“That’s just good fire safety.” Joshua hands me a plate.

“Let’s eat and I’ll tell you scary stories about the witches foolish enough to abandon their vigil, or unlucky enough to fall asleep during it.” I open my eyes wide and have to laugh when Johnny honestly looks freaked out. “I promise, nothing bad will happen tonight.”

“Love and light only?” Chase guesses and pops a grape in his mouth.

“The log has the light part handled, I thought the five of us could supply the love.”

Two

I runout of stories around midnight.

Johnny takes my hand, pulling it to his lips and kissing my ring finger the way he’s taken to over the last week. “Is there anything in your traditions that says we shouldn’t keep each other warm…?”

“I think it’s safe to say thatallthe goddesses would approve.”

“But do you?”

I nod, twisting the wooden toggles on my robe. First the top, then the second… and it slides down my body, pooling around my crossed legs.

Behind me, Thomas groans. “I love it when you’re naked.”

“Return the favor?”

Johnny’s skin is warm against me. I didn’t see him take anything off.

“Do I get a prize.”

“Always so eager.” I honestly have no idea how he manages to get rid of his clothes so fast… if I didn’t know better, I might think it was witchcraft.

Or some spectacular shirt ripping at the very least… but they’re always intact.

I brush my fingers over his skin. “There are no prizes in this… None but the ones we share.”

“Besides…” I slip my fingers in Chase’s waistband. “If you do all the work ahead of time, we don’t get to have any fun together.”

He lets out a groan that’s more of a growl and I bite my tongue, smiling and trying not to laugh as I get Chase’s pants open and slide them down. When I stroke him, he catches my hand and brings it to his lips.

“Don’t let anyone feel left out.” He never likes to be first when the others are involved.

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