Page 56 of Cursed By the Love Witch

“You see, I’m in quite the dilemma. There is this witch that left my company in quite a hurry.” A muscle in his cheek ticks. “Didn’t even say goodbye.”

Misery weighs me down. I clear my throat, but my words still sound choked.

“I’m sure she had a good reason to.”

Bael lets out a humorless chuckle.

“Oh, she believed she did. You see, this little witch is under the impression she slipped me a love potion, and that’s the only reason I feel anything for her.”

His heavy steps echo along the hardwood floor. I try not to move as he closes in on me. The breath saws out of my lungs. His body is close enough to touch mine. I hold my breath as his handcups my cheek. Swallowing my moan at the feeling of his skin against mine, I lose myself in his gaze.

“However, it seems she’s forgotten one vital thing about me?”

“What’s that?” I whisper.

His full lips curl into a grin.

“That my kind are immune to all poisons, brews, and, most assuredly, love potions.”

Shock covers me in cold water. What is he saying? How could he possibly be—and then I remember—a whisper of a memory of us in his office. Him drinking the nightshade tea even though it was still poisonous. He had been fine. He told me such things don’t affect him.

That means—oh Goddess—that means he?—

“I guess what I’m really asking for,” he continues, “is if you have something that will make the most beautiful, compassionate, fiery witch I’ve ever met understand just how much I love her.”

My control snaps as I launch myself into his arms. He stumbles back, and we clatter to the wooden floor. I pin him beneath me, joy overflowing from my soul. It’s strong enough to knit back together the jagged pieces of my heart. The broken organ is whole once more and stronger than ever.

I rain kisses all over his face as he laughs beneath me. His chuckle heats my blood. Planting my palms on either side of his face, I stare down at him, panting.

“You must think I’m a fool,” I say.

His eyes sparkle. “I don’t think you are anything less than wonderful.”

“I love you too,” I say. “So much.”

His lips connect with mine as his hands fall to the back of my legs. They run up and down my frilly skirt. Our kiss is a gentle exploration as if our mouths are getting reacquainted with eachother. He tastes delicious. My body settles atop his fully, sealing our fronts together.

“How did you find me?” I ask, breaking our kiss.

“By giving Mistress Saege a very persuasive argument. She finally relented where you'd gone once she was assured of my undying love for you this afternoon.”

A flush heats my cheeks. I rest my chin on his chest.

“I am sorry. I should’ve come clean immediately and shouldn’t have left without explanation. I figured you’d hate me once you learned what I had done. Never could I have imagined you felt the way you do for me. I thought I was an annoyance at best to you.”

Bael cringes, his whole body tensing beneath me.

“Then you must think I'm a fool, too.” He curls a piece of my hair around his finger. “At first, you unsettled me. I’d never felt the way I do towards you about anyone. I’d been watching you for years—keeping tabs on you from a distance. Then, that night at the equinox, when I saw you with someone else, I realized I couldn’t hold back anymore. If I wanted you, I had to act. It all flooded out once I fully embraced those feelings—so strong I couldn’t stop it.”

That day in detention, I had wrongfully perceived his appearance as being under the influence of my love potion. In reality, he had just been in love with me. Those symptoms weren’t simulated—they were real.

I smile as my mouth comes down on his once more. His fingers tunnel into my hair as he holds me close. Our kisses turn rougher. His tongue gently plays with mine as my thighs slide to the other sides of his hips. Bael’s head falls back, and his eyes are serious.

“Who had you meant to give the love potion to that night?”

Biting my lip, I shake my head—time to come fully clean.

“I hadn’t meant to give it to anyone. I brewed it for Prue and Zander—I accidentally mixed it up with a sleeping dram I was going to use on you.”

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