Page 21 of Mistletoe Wishes and Dragon Kisses

Continuing when Chris smiled and nodded, Glo turned back to the sandwiches and went on, "Of course, we ate so many tootsie rolls and smarties that we went straight to bed with tummy aches." Wistfully chuckling, she added, "When you think about it, it really does make sense. I mean, sheisin charge ofso verymuch since the Council of Others decided that our Family Coven, at least the Elders, would be Judge, Jury, and Officers of the Court and the Prison for anyone who dared to harm a Witch, their Mates or their Familiars."

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

But he didn't sound convinced, and Glo had to be sure her Mate didn't have any misconceptions about her Family. Her People meant the world to her, and so did her hunky Dragon. It was time to make sure everything was hunky–dory in Lovesville. Putting everything down, she wiped her hands, turned all the way around, and closed the distance to her Dragon.

Putting her hands on his shoulders, she looked into his eyes and adamantly assured, "My Aunties all love you. Like seriously, LUBS YOU ALL THE WAY." Leaning closer, she pretended to whisper, "Don't tell your brothers, but you're their favorite of all the Archers."

“Really?” His green eyes twinkled. His voice was livelier, and he stood taller even as his cute butt was leaned against her counter.

“Yes, really, you goofball,” she giggled. “They loved you when you were a little boy, and they were the reason Iknewthat sooner or later, you would find your way back to me." Pushing up on her toes, she gave him a quick kiss.

Pulling back before either one of them took things too far, she quickly added, “And don’t forget that Auntie Dru showed up right behind Auntie Bridge and her Guards.”

“Oh, yeah, I forgot to ask you about that.”

“About Auntie Dru? You know she only came to help me revive all the Mistletoe. My people were losing their ever–lovin’ minds because I'd been out of touch for almost an hour. Then, even with Twiggy carried off to a padded cell in the Hoosegow, I couldn’t get the job done fast enough. We were on a serious time schedule, and every second we got behind was a second we had to find a way to make up for without bothering The Dagda, the Big Daddy Celtic god of pretty much everything, especially Time."

"Yep, I know the Dagda and wouldn't want to bother him if I didn't have to either."

“See? You get it.” She nodded. “Besides, Auntie Dru gave you a bunch of hugs and kissed your cheeks so many times I was about to get jealous.”

“Yeah, okay, whatever,” he sighed. Then laughing when Glo burst out laughing, he went on, “You’re right, your Auntie Dru did seem genuinely happy to see me. But I was really talkin’ about those Amazonian-sized Witches Auntie Bridgette called her Guards. Are they Brown Witches too?”

"Yeah, they are. You know we don't outsource unless absolutely necessary," Glo nodded. "Second, or maybe it's third, cousins. I don't really remember. All I know is they showed up right after Auntie Bridgette was named Grand High Judgess, and she and the other Aunties built the Hooligan Hoosgow for Lawless Losers and Paranormal Perps. Apparently, they were all living on some island or something somewhere in the middle of the Southern Atlantic where they were learning to be these super Witchy Warriors."

"Wow," Chris breathed. "Every Family, Clan, and Coven has a closet full of secrets, huh?"

“Yep.”

“I know my Clan’s secrets have secrets,” Noss chimed in from the kitchen door.

"Hey, Cuz," Chris chuckled. "Sorry we haven't had time to catch up."

“Not to worry,” the Gargoyle snickered, putting his arm around Em as she appeared at his side. “With our two girls here, I’m pretty sure we’ll have lots of time to catch up.”

“Hey,” Glo piped up. “Did you just call him Cuz?”

“Sure did,” Chris nodded, patting her behind as she turned and went back to making the sandwiches. “Nostradamus’ dad is related to Granddad Archer through marriage or something along those lines.”

"Yeah," Em interjected. "And that's besides the fact that Dragons and Gargoyles shared a common ancestor from way back–like way, way, way way before B.C. way back. It was in what is now known as France, and…"

"How about you give them a history lesson later, Sweetness?" Noss suggested with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. "I think we really need to get outta here. These soon–to–be–newlyweds need some alone time."

“Oh, you’re so right, Nossy,” the Fey Dragon cooed, kissing her Mate on the cheek.

Turning around with a basket full of goodies, Glo walked toward Em with her arms outstretched. “Here are sandwiches, chips, pretzels, my famous veggie ranch dip, water, diet coke, and cookies and cupcakes that Lucy Magicked over.”

"Oh wow! You did too much! Shouldn't you keep some for yourselves? Take it from me. You're not gonna wanna cook for a while." She waggled her eyebrows and giggled.

"Oh, we have plenty," Glo winked. "Don't you worry about that. Now that I got him back. I'm not lettin' him out of my sight."

"YES!" Em cheered. Taking the basket, she held it at her side. "You are the best! Just the bestest of the best!" Stepping out from under Noss's arm, she moved forward and hugged the Witch. "I just love you so much! Never forget how awesome you are."

When their embrace ended and Em stepped back, Glo had to clear her throat and take a quick breath to keep the happy tears at bay. When she was ready, she shook her head and reassured, “Girl, you and Noss saved my booty and my beautiful Mistletoe.”

“Nope,” the Fey Dragon shook her head. “It was all you and Chris. We just gave you the tools to make your job easier.”

“And you gave it to all my people.”

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