Page 24 of Bearly Bewitched

Daisy bit her lip. “What if my curse makes it go weird?”

“Then we’ll handle it together.” Vail’s voice held such warmth that Kaine’s bear whined, recognizing the maternal care it desperately wanted for Daisy. “That’s what tonight is about—learning how different types of magic can work together.”

“Promise you won’t let it get out of control?” Daisy’s small fingers twisted in her shirt.

“I promise.” Vail held out her hand, palm up. A tiny flame danced there, casting soft light on Daisy’s worried face. “See? Fire can be gentle when it’s properly directed. Magic responds to intention and control, not fear. Show me what you’ve learned.”

Kaine’s chest tightened as he watched them together. Vail’s patience, her innate understanding of Daisy’s fears... his bear pushed against his skin, desperate to claim this woman who so perfectly fit the void in their lives.

A sharp crack of magical discharge shattered the moment. Across the courtyard, Felicity attempted a ward reinforcement spell that backfired spectacularly. Purple energy spiraled outward, threatening to destabilize the protective barriers.

Kaine moved without thinking, reaching for Vail even as she stepped toward him. His bear strength grounded the volatile energy while her fire wove around it, containing the surge before it could wreak havoc. Golden sparks rained down around them, proof of their perfect magical synchronization.

“Fascinating response.” Thaddeus Ledger’s oily voice sliced through their connection. He stood too close, watching their shared magic with calculating eyes. “Such seamless integration. Almost as if you were made to work together.”

The way his gaze slid to Daisy made Kaine’s bear snarl. He shifted slightly, putting himself between Ledger and his niece. Vail’s fire magic coiled around them protectively, its warmth a direct challenge to Ledger’s cold presence.

“Their compatibility is remarkable,” an elderly witch commented nearby. “Like true mates from the old stories when magic itself draws two souls together.”

“Now there’s a betting pool I’d join,” Romi stage-whispered to Xabir. “Ten gold pieces says they figure it out tonight.”

“Twenty says they need at least another week,” her husband countered. “They’re both remarkably stubborn about happiness.”

Heat crept up Kaine’s neck again. Vail suddenly seemed very interested in adjusting her sleeve cuffs, though her magic still curled contentedly around his.

Before anyone could place more bets on their love life, multiple ward anchor points destabilized simultaneously. The protective shield surrounding the event began to fracture, magical energy whipping through the air like invisible lightning. Acting on instinct, Kaine pulled Vail against him. Their combined aura radiated outward, desperately trying to contain the cascading surges. She pressed closer, her fire igniting in perfect harmony with his grounding bear force.

“Uncle Kaine!” Daisy’s frightened cry cut through the chaos. Her curse reacted to the ward fluctuations, creating spiraling streams of unstable magic around her small form.

Kaine extended his free arm, and Daisy rushed into their circle of protection. Together, he and Vail created a sphere of combined energy around the girl. Several seasoned witches gasped audibly at the display of raw magical compatibility.

When the surge finally subsided, Kaine became acutely aware of Vail’s body pressed against his. Her fingers clutched his shirt as she caught her breath, her scent mixing intoxicatingly with residual fire magic. Their eyes met, and his bear roared with primal certainty:mate, protect, claim.

But Vail had made it clear she wasn’t looking for complications. He forced himself to loosen his hold, though every instinct screamed to keep her close.

“That was amazing!” Daisy bounced between them, apparently recovered from her fright. “The way your magic worked together—it was like watching the northern lights! Can we practice that more? Please?”

“Maybe we should start with simpler spells,” Vail suggested. Her voice trembled slightly, and her fire magic still wound around his, reluctant to separate.

TWENTY-TWO

Movement caught Kaine’s eye—Ledger stood at the courtyard’s edge, scribbling furiously in a journal. Without conscious thought, Kaine drew Vail and Daisy closer, his bear aura wrapping around them protectively. Vail’s power wove into his immediately, strengthening their shared shield.

“We should get ice cream!” Daisy declared with suspicious enthusiasm. “To celebrate everyone being safe! Please? The Moonlight Creamery has that new maple pecan flavor...”

She shot a meaningful look at Romi, who gave her a subtle thumbs up. Kaine bit back a groan, realizing his niece had joined forces with the town’s most determined matchmakers.

“We should discuss those ward fluctuations,” Vail said slowly. But her eyes told a different story when they met his—she was just as affected by their connection as he was. The air between them shimmered with possibility.

“Ice cream would be the perfect place to talk,” Kaine found himself saying. “Strategic planning requires proper fuel.”

Vail’s laugh sent warmth curling through his chest. “Is that what they’re calling it?”

“I find sugar helps with magical theory.” He offered his arm, hardly daring to breathe until she took it. Her fire magic danced around them both, matching the joy in her smile.

“In that case, how can I refuse? But it’ll have to wait until this event is over.” She fell into step beside him, fitting against his side like she belonged there.

“Of course.” His bear rumbled happily as her magic twined with his.

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