Page 18 of Magic & Matchmaking
Even better, I’d had almost no incidents with the tea shop in the last week since we’d made things official. No plates getting thrown at my head, no chairs trying to trip me, no shelves threatening to topple over. It was nice not having to worry about losing any important limbs. Riven had been here every day, holding my hand, slipping his arms around my waist. Subtle touches and smiles. It looked like it had been enough to convince the tea shop.
And now I was hosting our first matchmaking night since I’d taken over, which I sensed made the tea shop happy—and made me nervous. Matchmaking, love, it was what made the shop and the tea special. We’dplaced candles on each table to provide some ambience. They flickered with a dim light. Rose petals were scattered across the floor, and we’d covered each table with a silk pink tablecloth and seafoam-colored linen napkins.
I grabbed my wand and walked over to the hearth, stirring the cauldron that bubbled with a pink, frothy liquid. Heat warmed my skin from the small fire crackling under the cauldron. I’d made a special potion tonight, one that would help our patrons follow their intuition, find the right person for them. Pink smoke curled up in the air.
Everything was perfect. I turned to survey the small space and made my way across the room again, where Riven was polishing the last few tea cups.
We had specific tea sets for these events. Tea that inspired romance, sensuality, and love. Tea that would help everyone open up as they mingled with different partners and hopefully walked away with a date by the end of the evening. Steeped in Love had one of the best matchmaking events in the realm. I didn’t know what I’d been thinking canceling the first one.
“Are we opening yet?” Herman swooped down and landed on the bar top. “Oh, I’m so excited. It’s going to be awkwardness galore tonight.”
Riven snorted, and I raised a brow. “That’s what you’re excited about? Not the potential for people to meet their true loves?”
Herman scoffed, smoke puffing from his nostrils. “You don’t even believe in love.”
I felt Riven stiffen beside me, and he slipped his hand from mine. The majority of his songs were about love, so clearly Riven believed in it. Probably because he’d had so many girlfriends over the years. Gossip about the bard spread fast and furious, and I was constantly hearing about the gorgeous women on his arm at different events.
“That’s not true,” I said. “Why would you say that?”
“Oh, maybe because in all the years I’ve been at Arcane Creatures Emporium, I never once saw you in a relationship.”
I glared at him. “That’s because I was busy running a business and taking care of my father. But now I’m in a very happy relationship,” I said with an edge to my voice.
We hadn’t told Herman about the fake part of our relationship. Thedragon could not keep a secret, and if we told him the truth, he wouldn’t last a day before spilling it to someone.
“I’m surprised,” Herman said. “I mean, yes, you always talked about Riven all the time. Riven this and Riven that?—”
“And that’s enough out of you.” I stuffed a chocolate-covered strawberry into his mouth, my cheeks flaming.
“So what’s in the tea?” Riven asked from beside me, and I hoped he hadn’t been paying attention to Herman while he polished the tea cups.
I didn’t talk about Rivenallthe time. He was an important part of my life, so naturally, I mentioned him occasionally. Herman was exaggerating. Like always.
I pointed to the tins. “It’s actually Layla’s recipe. She thought of the idea to create a custom mix for tonight. It’s never been used before.”
Which made me a little nervous, but when Layla approached me with the idea, I figured why not try it? She’d seemed so nervous and unsure of herself, and I wanted to give her a confidence boost. I hoped it worked, even though Layla wouldn’t be here to see it. She’d told me in advance she wouldn’t be able to work tonight, which was why Riven was here to help.
“Cocoa nubs, dried cherry leaves, carob chips, and rose oil. Plus a hint of an aphrodisiac leaf that Layla made using one of her spells.”
The trays were ready. Now all we needed was to open the door and invite the patrons in. I nodded at Herman, and he made a sound I’d never heard come from the dragon’s mouth.
Riven leaned down and whispered in my ear. “Did he just squeal?”
“You heard him.” I crossed my arms. “He’s ready for the drama.”
Riven raised a brow. “Are we expecting drama?”
I shrugged helplessly. “I’ve never done this before. Maybe it’ll be inspiration for a new song?”
He laughed.
Herman used his tail to turn the handle on the door. A blast of wind blew it open, and all our waiting customers began to file in, sitting at tables where their name cards were propped. Layla had told me it was best to have themed nights. Ones for men and women, ones for older witches, ones for men who preferred men or women who preferred women. Tonight, we were doing a witch-only event.
I stilled when I saw Layla walking in. She gave me a shy smile andwave before taking her seat at a table. So that’s why she couldn’t work tonight. Because she was attending the event.
“Is that . . .?” Riven gestured to Layla.
“Yes! I didn’t know she was looking for a relationship.”
