Page 42 of Magic & Matchmaking
“I want everything you just said and more. I want a life with you. And for the record, there are no other women.” I tipped my head to the side. “I mean, there have been other women in the last decade, but?—”
She put a finger to my lips. “I don’t need to hear about that right now.”
“Right.” I summoned my most charming smile. “So you really want to leave Thistlegrove and come with me on tour? It can be dangerous for magical folk outside of the Witchlands.”
“We have Karl.” Her smile lit my soul on fire. “And I really, really do.”
“What if you get sick of me?” I asked.
She gave me a look. “You visited my dormitory every single night for an entire year and ate all my food because you couldn’t cook.”
I cleared my throat. So I supposed I had one more secret to reveal. “Emma, there’s something I have to tell you.”
Her face paled. “What now?”
I winced. “I can cook. I’ve always been able to cook. I’m actually really good at it.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Then why . . .?”
I tightened my hold around her. “Why do you think?”
She laughed in disbelief. “You did all that to get close to me?”
I pressed a kiss to her lips. “Yes,” I said.
“That was the only way you could think of to see me? Why not ask me to study with you? To walk with you to your classes? To?—”
I cut her off with another kiss. “Emma,” I murmured against her lips, “shut up and kiss me.”
“We’re not done talking about this, just so you know. But fine.” She pressed her mouth to mine, winding her arms around my neck and sighing in complete contentment.
We had a lot to talk about in the coming days, but for now, the witch I loved loved me back, and that was enough. It would always be enough.
Chapter Twenty
EMMA
“Riven, are you sure we have time to stop by the tea shop?” I asked as we walked along the street toward the familiar beige and green awning.
The sun was already sinking in the sky, and I still had so much packing to do. We were leaving early tomorrow morning to set off toward the human lands and to start Riven’s tour.
“I still need to pack my dresses, my shoes, my wand.” I ticked off my fingers.
“So basically everything,” Herman said as he flew beside us.
I shot him a look, then turned my attention back to Riven. “I stopped by Steeped in Love earlier today and said goodbye to Layla. She’s already got the place up and running.”
“And it hasn’t tried to kill her,” Herman said brightly. “It’s so refreshing being able to nap without worrying about being impaled.”
Riven held my hand, leading me toward the shop. “I just thought we might want to pick up some tea leaves for our travels. You know nothing can compare to Steeped in Love.”
That was true. It would be nice to have a few tins for the road, a little reminder of home.
We got closer, and the inside of the shop was dark. Layla must’ve closed early today.
“It doesn’t look like anyone is here,” I said as we approached the door.
Riven let go of my hand, turning the handle and pushing the door open. “I don’t think Layla will mind if we slip in.” He nodded his head toward the dark interior.
