Page 43 of Magic & Mochas
“Ask me, and find out.”His violet eyes drew me into their depths like a cat drawn to a hearth.
“Will you stay with me?”I murmured, raising one hand to his cheek.“As my real boyfriend, this time?”
“Yes.”He leaned into my touch.
I felt so happy I could float.
“You have no idea what it does to me when you look at me like that,” he murmured, resting his forehead against mine.
“Like what?”
“Like I’m someone worth loving,” he whispered, with a raw pain in his voice that made my heart ache.
“But you are.Always have been, always will be.”
“Will you have me, scars, shadows and all?”
“Scars, shadows and all.”
Before I had even finished speaking, Thorne’s lips were on mine.I tangled my fingers in his silky black hair, and a spark of my magic filled his dark locks with thousands of glittering little stars, that paled in comparison to the ones shining above us.
I had never felt this way before.I had never felt so wholly seen.So wholly protected.So wholly loved.
“I love you.”The words were out before I could snatch them back.
“I love you, too.”His voice was low, husky.Sparks of violet magic popped in the air around us like miniature fireworks, responding to my jubilant emotions.
He kissed me just as a shooting star streaked across the sky, like a bolt of magic in the darkness.When he draped his arm around my shoulders, I snuggled up against him, even as my heart sighed in contentment and slowed, and my eyelids began to droop.
“Would you like to stay the night?”Thorned murmured, pressing a light kiss to my hair.
“Yes.”I shivered in the cool October air, and Thorne hugged me closer.“Will you have me, magic, mochas and all?”
I wanted to hear him say it, too.
“Magic, mochas and all.”
Epilogue
Thorne
Thewarmsunlightflickeringacross my face woke me.When I blinked open my eyes, I froze, hardly daring to breathe.Next to me, her face softened in sleep, was Clove.
Last night had been so perfect that I had nearly convinced myself it was just a dream—that when I woke up, I would be alone.Just like always.
But there she was, her chest rising and falling with each breath.Her long, dark hair was splayed over my pillow.Impulsively, I lifted a lock of it, letting the silky strands slip through my calloused fingers.
I lay there watching her for a few minutes, marveling at the beautiful witch who had brought light back to my world of darkness.I couldn’t help but smile.For the first time in my life, I found myself imagining what it would be like to build a future for myself.A future withher.One filled with the smell of coffee and the sound of easy laughter.With slow, cozy days and magical, starry nights.
An ordinary life, with an extraordinary woman.
I glanced at the clock on my bedside table, grimacing when I saw the time.My extraordinary woman would definitely give me an earful if I didn’t wake her up in time to open the shop.But maybe I could let her sleep just a little longer if I got things rolling.
Silently, I summoned one of my shadow soldiers, and commanded it to begin doing her usual opening procedures: Counting the cash in the register, setting up the tables and chairs, turning on the lights, etc.If the locals became accustomed enough to them, then I might even be able to have them work as baristas for her during the day.
I stole a few minutes more in bed, savoring her warmth, and the peaceful expression on her face.She had been so brave last night, standing up to that moron of a warlock and his mistress in front of everybody like that.I was proud of her.But it was a pity she hadn’t gotten to see everyone’s reactions to her Aurora Avocado—er, Affacato?Affagato?I rolled my eyes at myself.To her ice cream coffee concoction.
At least we would have the chance to see their reactions at the ball next year.
