Page 61 of Hex and the Kitty

The mist continued its dance, swirling into Sera’s vision. Lark Wilder appeared, his handsome face displaying comical panic as he chased three identical toddlers. The triplets zoomed on miniature toy dragons, leaving trails of sparks and gleeful chaos in their wake.

“Three?” Sera gasped, her usual composure shattered. The color drained from her face as she stared at the vision.

The room fell silent, everyone transfixed by the triplet prophecy.

“It’s just a possible future,” Daisy reminded her gently. “Not necessarily?—“

“Actually,” Ellie interrupted, her empathic abilities clearly sensing something, “I think we should verify.”

Daisy blinked, then darted to a cabinet. “I have a quick fertility test potion. It’s harmless—just indicates pregnancy and number.”

“This isn’t necessary,” Sera protested weakly, though she accepted the small thimble of clear liquid Daisy handed her. “Lark and I are careful. We plan everything.”

“Humor us,” Celeste urged, leaning forward.

With a skeptical look, Sera drank the potion. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, three bright runes materialized above her head, glowing with unmistakable meaning.

“By the Goddess,” Sera whispered, swaying slightly.

“TRIPLETS!” the others shrieked in unison.

The pharmacy erupted in celebration. Daisy danced around the table, Tabitha hugged Sera tightly despite her pregnant belly, and Celeste wiped happy tears from her eyes.

“How?” Sera kept repeating, a dazed smile replacing her shock. “We’ve been so methodical.”

“You’ve been methodical,” Ellie grinned. “I’m pretty sure Lark is planning a whole football team.”

“Still, we planned one child at a time. Not three in one go!”

“Dragon shifter fertility,” Celeste explained. “Kade and I had lunch with Briar and Falkor. Falkor mentioned that dragon shifters are extraordinarily fertile when they find their true mates. Something about ancient magic ensuring the continuation of rare bloodlines.”

“Three little dragons,” Ellie mused, squeezing Sera’s hand. “Lark will burst with pride.”

“And terror,” Sera added, laughing through tears. “Our organized life will never be the same.”

The celebration continued for several minutes before Daisy dimmed the lights and stirred the cauldron to settle the visions. The atmosphere shifted, becoming more intimate as their excitement mellowed.

“While we’re on the topic of futures,” Daisy said, refilling their teacups, “Molly, how are things truly progressing with our stoic fire chief? That nursery vision spoke volumes.”

FORTY-SEVEN

All eyes turned to Molly. In this circle of trusted friends, she could bare her soul.

“I never expected this,” she admitted, tracing the rim of her cup. “When I crashed into him at the social, covered him in enchanted frosting...” She paused, smiling at the memory. “He looked so adorably confused.”

“And now?” Celeste prompted gently.

Molly’s gaze dropped to her hands, where tiny sparks danced between her fingers—a physical manifestation of her emotional state.

“Now I can’t imagine my life without him,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “When he holds me, something inside me recognizes him like my soul has known his forever. The way he looks at me—like I’m precious and strong simultaneously—makes me feel whole.”

The sparks brightened, bathing her hands in ethereal light.

“His kiss,” she continued, the words pouring forth, “makes the world disappear. When we’re together, time slows. He makes me laugh in ways no one ever has, and when I’m sad or worried, he doesn’t try to fix everything—he just holds me, lets me feel what I need to feel.”

“That’s love, honey,” Ellie said softly.

The word hung in the air, crystallizing the emotion Molly had been circling.

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