Page 37 of Castings & Curses

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“Great job, guys,”Bygul said.

“What are you talking about?” Tivali snapped. “The entire coven is against this match.”

“Even the cheerful witch is convinced it’s doomed,” Soraya agreed.

“Uh, which one’s that again?” Muezza asked.

“Morana, of course,” Soraya said.

“Morana?” The other cats chorused.

“She’s anecromancer,” Tivali exclaimed.

“Just because she raises the dead doesn’t mean she isn’t cheerful,” Soraya said stubbornly.

“Right. Anyway, back to the subject at hand,” Bygul said, “yesterday, if you’d asked me, I would have sworn it would take an act of all the goddesses to get the High Witch into wolf territory. And now look at what’s happening. She’s going there voluntarily, and all because of Tivali’s brilliant plan to drop Moonbeam off in the wolf’s room.”

“Itwasrather inspired,” Tivali said.

“And like I always say, what works for one set of matches,couldwork for another,” Bygul said. “Of course, I also say what works for one set, coulddestroyanother, but hey, good news. So far, no destruction in sight.”

“Well, let’s not hold our breath on that one,” Muezza said. “After all, wearetalking about earthbound cats here.”

“And witches,” Tivali said.

“Andwolves.”Soraya shuddered.

* * *

Corwin had just steppedout of the dining room with a somewhat vague plan to track down his mate and possibly implement a courtship of sorts.

Not that he would be following any of his sister’s suggestions or those her friends had offered, of course.

They had to think he was stupid to fall for their unsolicited advice on courting witches.

He wasn’t exactly surewhathe was going to do, but under no circumstances would any of it involve crystals or broomsticks or thigh-high socks.

He was pondering this dilemma when a miracle occurred.

The scent of his mate coiled around him seconds before he heard her voice. “Moonbeam. Sweet Moonbeam. Come here, baby.”

He immediately stepped back into the dining room.

And there she was, on her hands and knees, giving Corwin a truly delicious view of her backside as she wiggled her way out from under the dining room table, the white furball in her arms.

“There you are,” she crooned to the cat, who seemed perfectly content to be in her arms. “How’d you get in here anyway?”

“That was my question,” Corwin said dryly.

Natalie jumped and glared at him.

“What is up with your cat anyway?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Can you not see the smug look on her face? She’s literally mocking me for not knowing how the two of you managed to get in here without anyone seeing you.”

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