Page 4 of Nix and Tell

Chlo

It’s testament to the British way of life that even in a tiny village, there’s still a pub, and The Arun Arms pretty much the centre of what little socialising goes on in Wyrten.

As we walk in, Violet’s hand is in mine, and I’m trying desperately not to let it show how it’s affecting me.

Her hand is small, delicately warm, and she half skips along as she tries to keep up with me.

Behind the bar, Kit raises an eyebrow. I almost step away, but then Violet is standing right next to me, doing her little wiggle so vigorously that I can feel her brush back and forth against me.

It’sso fucking cute.

I stare back at Kit, my face blank, as I help Violet off with her coat. When that dress comes into view, Kit’s eyes dip for just a second to Vi’s delightful cleavage, and then flick back up to me.

I’m not entirely sure what she sees, there, but she gives a low chuckle. “Vi, Chlo, what brings you to my humble establishment?”

“We’ve got a proposition for you,” says Violet, and bounces up onto one of the stools by the bar. There’s the slightest of pauses, which Violet clocks and then she flushes pinker than I think I’ve ever seen her go. “Oh, notthatkind of proposition.”

“Oh no?” Kit teases. “You’re breaking Chlo’s heart here.”

Violet glances at me over my shoulder and I start to plot a myriad of ways to murder Kit. The butch landlord does not look even the slightest bit ashamed, and sheknows. She knows exactly what she’s doing.

Is it my fault that I have a soft spot for the sweetest girl in the village?

Obviously not. I blame her cheery good nature.

But Kit and I both know that you don’t fuck with mortals. It’s pretty much the only reason why Kit and Marla still have this we’re-best-friends-and-totally-not-in-love-with-each-other thing going on, and aren’t shacked up living their adorable little sapphic happy ever after already.

Kit may not want anything to do with her nix heritage, but that doesn’t mean that she’s about to marry a mortal. That way chaos lies.

And sometimes drownings.

“Actually, us in the Riverside Shops are doing a promotional day for the Spring Equinox. I’m going to be opening up my ritual; Finn’s going to bake speciality pastries; Hazel’s going to paint; and Chlo…” Her voice trails off. “Whatareyou going to do, Chlo?”

“Stand at the side, glowering at anyone who comes close?” suggests Kit. Her tone is light, jokey, but there’s a wariness in her eyes that I recognise.

“Something like that,” I say.

The look Violet turns on me is all wide-eyed horror. “Oh, Chlo! It’s got to be worth it for you too, otherwise it simply isn’t fair.”

Her eyes are the softest grey, and I swear when she pleads, they double in size, like she’s some kind of chibi, come to life. “I’m joking,” I reassure her. “I think I might see if I can get some floral harnesses, the kind that slip over a shirt nicely.”

She nods, placated for the moment. “Acceptable. And so, Kit, we come to you.”

Kit starts intensely cleaning out a glass.

“Do you really hate magic that much?”

She pauses what she’s doing, looking up at me and then back at Violet.

I know what that look is. It’s a what-have-you-done look. And the truth is that I’ve done nothing, absolutely nothing. Violet still doesn’t know that the ritualised magic she does, I could do with a snap of my fingers. That Kit could. That half the villagers could.

She thinks that we’ve been so welcoming of her pagan ways because we’re just nice people, when it’s because we know the truth of magic, and hers is the least threatening we’ve ever encountered.

“Finn had an idea that you guys make some mead-based cocktails, and I explained to Violet that you’re not big on all the ritual stuff.”

Violet turns those pleading eyes on Kit and Kit barks a laugh. “Save those for Chlo; they won’t work on me, Vi.” She looks thoughtful. “I really don’t usually–”

“Finn thought that Marla would like it,” interjected Violet, with a careless wave of her hand. She’s trying a little too hard for casual, but Kit doesn’t seem to notice, a dimple suddenly showing in her cheek.

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