Page 34 of A Roar for Magic

“It would target both physical and spiritual tension.” His eyes lit up. “Brilliant. Though we should probably stabilize it with...”

“Dawn-touched rose oil?”

“I was going to say crystallized sundrops, but that’s even better.” He stared at her with that intensity that made her magic dance. “How do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Know exactly what each formula needs. It’s like you speak their language.”

She shrugged, trying to ignore the warmth his praise sparked. “My mother always said magic has a voice if you learn to listen. Especially plant magic. Everything growing has its own song.” She stirred the cauldron three times, watching goldenthreads of energy weave through the liquid. “Your formulas already have strong healing properties. I’m just helping them harmonize with natural magic.”

“We make a good team.” He stepped closer, ostensibly to examine the potion but definitely invading her personal space in a way that scattered her thoughts. “Your magic, my science...”

She breathed deeply, very aware of his warmth at her back. “You’re starting to sound a little like you’re all for this hanging out thing.”

His hands settled on her waist, and her breath caught as he murmured near her ear, “You’re my mate, Clover,” he said in a low tone. “I’m definitely all for us being together.”

The way he spoke made her entire body heat and her heart stumble. Did he really want her to be his mate?

A loud pop from the cauldron made them jump apart. The potion had turned a lovely shade of pink.

“That’s... not supposed to happen.” Clover quickly adjusted the flame, adding a pinch of grounding herbs to calm the brew. “Though it does prove Madame Zephyrine’s point about our magic responding to each other.”

“You mean we’ve created a matchmaking potion?”

“More like our magic decided to play cupid.” She stirred carefully, watching the color fade to a more reasonable lavender. “We should probably focus on the protection formulas before we accidentally enchant the whole inventory.”

His chuckle brushed warm air across her neck. “Probably safer. Though I have to admit, the idea of everyone in Mystic Hollow suddenly breaking into romantic ballads has entertainment value.”

“Down, tiger. We have work to do.”

They spent the rest of the afternoon creating and discarding various formulas, searching for the perfect blend of science and magic that couldn’t be corrupted by dark energy. By thetime they needed to leave for dinner, they had three promising candidates and one spectacular failure that had made everything in the workroom temporarily float.

“At least, we know what not to do,” Clover said as they cleaned up. “Though I still can’t find my favorite stirring rod.”

“Check under the shelf. I think I saw it skulking there earlier.”

“Stirring rods don’t skulk.”

“This one definitely was. It looked guilty.”

She threw a cleaning rag at his head, which he caught with irritating grace. “You’re so silly.”

“Don’t tell Sabine. She’ll never let me live it down.”

“I may not either. This is a side of you I didn’t expect.”

“But you like it.”

The simple statement delivered with such quiet certainty made her pause. Because... yeah. She did like it. She liked how he could shift from intense alpha to playful banter, how he matched her magic step for step, how he made her feel simultaneously safe and excited.

The realization must have shown on her face because his expression softened into something that made her heart flip. Before either of them could speak, however, her phone chimed with a text from Romi:If you’re done making googly eyes at each other, dinner awaits! And I have SO MANY embarrassing childhood stories to share...

“We should go.” Clover quickly gathered her things, trying to hide her blush. “Before my cousin decides to start the storytelling without us.”

“Afraid of what she might reveal?”

“More worried about what Xabir might share about your college years without me.”

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