Page 77 of Enchant the Dawn

“The only witch I know is Ava. Unfortunately for you, she seems to have left town,” Claret said with a shrug. “And I don’t know where she’s gone.” And then she smiled. “But I know how to find her. And I will take you to her on one condition. If she breaks the spell, you will swear allegiance to me and no one else. Do we have a deal?”

Once again, the frog signaled his agreement.

Chapter 32

Maddy woke with a smile on her face. She was getting married! To Dominic. What would her parents think when they learned she was marrying a man they had never met? If she wanted them at the wedding, she and Dominic would have to wait a while; her folks weren’t due home for another few months. Perhaps she should call her mom and let her know she was engaged before she announced she was getting married.

What would Ava say?

What would Dominic’s parents say?

Throwing the covers aside, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed, then sat there, unable to stop smiling. Mrs. Dominic Falconer. Maddy Falconer. Dominic’s woman.

Humming “Here Comes the Bride,” she waltzed into the bathroom to shower.

* * *

Sitting at the table in the kitchen, Ava blew out a sigh. “Here Comes the Bride” indeed. What was Dominic thinking? He had just met the girl a short while ago. Did Maddy have any idea what she was getting into? Dominic wasn’t just any vampire. He was the son of Hungarian vampire royalty. She knew she should call home and let his parents know but decided against it. They would likely blame her for not keeping his mind on what they had been sent here to do.

And then she frowned. Why had his parents sent Dominic to New Orleans, of all places? The Knights’ last stronghold had been up on the Canadian border. Did Quill really think the Brotherhood would move to Louisiana, a place known for the large number of Transylvanian vampires? True, the Knights killed Transylvanian vampires if any crossed their path, but their main goal was to wipe out Quill’s people. And there were only a handful of Hungarian vampires in Louisiana.

It didn’t make sense. But then, few things in the paranormal world did. Like Maddy having magic.

Ava sighed. She had known Maddy and Dominic were fated to meet. She tapped her fingers on the edge of the table. Had Callie known it, too? Was that why they had sent Dominic to New Orleans? To meet his mate? Had hunting the Knights been a red herring, with the real objective making sure that Maddy and Dominic fell in love?

Ava shook her head. What was she thinking? That was just too far-fetched to consider. And yet, the more she thought about it, the more sense it made.

Laughing softly, she magicked a cup of hot chocolate and a blueberry muffin. Then, hearing Maddy’s footsteps on the stairs, she magicked another cup of cocoa and a scone for her future great-granddaughter.

Maddy smiled at Ava as she scuffed into the kitchen. Had Dominic already told her about their engagement? If not, should she mention it?

“Good morning,” Ava said brightly. “Won’t you join me?”

“Thanks.”

Ava pushed a cup of hot chocolate toward her. “Would you prefer a muffin or a scone?”

“A scone, please.”

“You look very happy this morning,” Ava remarked, hiding a smile of her own.

“Do I?”

“Any particular reason?”

Maddy sipped her chocolate to avoid answering right away. To tell or not to tell?

“Congratulations, dear,” Ava said. “I’m happy for both of you.”

“You don’t mind?”

“I’ll admit I think it’s a little soon, but if Dominic is happy, I’m happy.” Reaching across the table, Ava patted her hand. “Of course, I want you to be happy, too.”

“Oh, I am. And I know it’s kind of sudden, but, after all, you’re the one who encouraged us to date in the first place. Brought us together in the first place.”

“So I did,” Ava murmured. “So I did.” How had Callie managed that?

“Have you ever been married?”

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