Page 146 of Magical Mission
“Well,” he said, blinking. “The smitten traveler is real.”
My breath caught before I could stop it.
Because there, framed by the soft glow of the cottage porch light, stood Keegan.
Hair wind-tousled, jacket collar turned up, cheeks flushed from the cold evening air, but his eyes locked onto mine before anyone spoke.
And despite everything, despite the calling path and the swirling magic and the knot of decisions ahead, my stomach flipped.
The good kind.
“Evening,” he said, his voice lower than usual. “Hope I’m not intruding.”
Twobble cleared his throat and stepped aside. “Would it matter if you were?”
“Good point,” Keegan replied as he stepped inside.
His eyes scanned the room once before they returned to me, landing there like they meant to stay.
“Tea?” I asked, trying to pretend like my heart wasn’t doing its own internal jig.
He smiled. “I won’t say no.”
Twobble shuffled back toward his chair. “Someone else can serve it. I’ve already fulfilled my quota of effort for the day.”
I gestured toward the table and moved to the kettle, which obligingly refilled itself. Steam curled through the air, carrying scents of mint, citrus, and the warmth of home. I poured twocups and carried them over, setting one in front of Keegan before taking my seat.
“This feels like old times,” he said, wrapping his hands around the mug. “Back when the Academy hadn’t opened yet. When it was just you, the cottage, and the rest of us wondering if you were quietly going mad in the woods.”
“Well, surprise.” I chuckled. “Iwasgoing mad in the woods.”
He smirked. “You hid it well.”
There was a long pause that was comfortable and soft.
But there was also something unsaid, so I finally exhaled.
“A path appeared.”
Keegan stilled. “What kind of path?”
“A calling path.” I looked up at him. “I think I might have called it when the shimmer in the Academy happened.”
His gaze sharpened. “Where?”
“Near the Butterfly Ward. The vampires found it first.”
He leaned forward, brows drawn. “Is it stable?”
“So far. It hasn’t moved. No one’s entered it. I haven’t…” I trailed off.
He watched me. “But it’s calling to you.”
I nodded slowly.
He didn’t speak right away. “You’re going to walk it.”
It wasn’t exactly a question.
