Page 62 of Kiss and Spell

Ursula spent the better part of the day comforting a young man who was terrified about saying the wrong thing during Mercury retrograde. The celestial event caused an increase in sales in the shop and emotions in their customers. Mama, on her annual Journaling and Gems retreat in upstate New York, asked Ursula to keep the shop open until eleven once a month whenever Mercury decided to start trouble for everyone. That planet, with its fickleness, affected personal communication for humans and magical beings. That was why Ursula waited until her shift was over to check her phone, which she had put on silent.

When she saw the message notifications, her stomach dropped.

There were a lot of messages from Xavier, each one a little zanier than the last. Ursula read the last five texts.

How do you feel about vamps?

They don’t have soft pretzels, but they have stuff. Good stuff.

Walls feel nice like velvet

Can you have Vim and not Vigor??

Would I look good with a rainbow wig?

She let out a groan. There was only one place where she could find vampires, good snacks, and one possibly super drunk fae prince.

While the Two Princes Tavern had a carefully curated whimsy to appeal to the many citizens, Vim and Vigor was made for the West Grove set. Vampires draped in yards of crushed velvet sipped crimson drinks from goblets. Werefolk, close to transformation, dined on shreds of curated meats at their table. Everything from the bronze and mosaic lampshades to the bar top had a sheen of antiquity about it. The bottles lined up against the bar back were decades old and filled with various-colored liquids. The wood floor was made from driftwood and the tables had been made from barrels found in an old waterfront building. They served drinks ice cold from the tap and simple snacks that could be eaten with one hand or paw.

Last year’s Ursula would have been scandalized to walk into this bar at night, but no longer. Now she enjoyed clinging in the shadows and hiding away from the light. She breathed easier away from the spotlight that she had been forced into when she was going to be a Walker.

Ursula slid into the dimly lit booth, cradling her tumbler, the scent of sweet and tangy liquor tickling her nose. Xavier had his own drink in hand, swirling the liquid with the ice cubes. His eyes were glassy, and he leaned against the booth.

“How are you? Have you eaten yet?” His voice had a degree of tenderness and care.

“Yes, I had dinner before work.” She held up her glass. “I only ordered this drink because of the name.”

His brow lifted in interest. “What’s it called? It looks interesting.”

“Sorcerer’s Cherry.” She held out the glass to him. “Want to taste?”

He looked at the liquor; then his eyes flicked to her face. “Maybe later.”

She lit up like a tree wrapped in twinkle lights at the promise in his voice, but she tamped down her excitement. Her friend needed her. Ursula drank from the glass deeply. The cocktail was indulgent and rich, and tasted like a ripened cherry that had been sprinkled with pepper.

She moved closer to him. “Talk to me, Xavier.”

He took a long sip from his drink, spilling a few drops on his hands. Okay, maybe Paige didn’t like the park. He dropped his half-empty glass onto the table with a clatter.

“It all went wrong.” He ducked his head. “We had a nice conversation about our families and titles, and then we went for a walk. We were about to leave when she tried to kiss me.”

“What do you mean she tried?” Ursula didn’t fail to catch the note of utter dismay in his voice. Oh no. She swirled her drink, letting the ice clink against the sides.

He shook his head, regretfully. “I moved—actually, I jerked away from her.”

“Did you have garlic for lunch?” Ursula said in a teasing tone.

“It didn’t feel right,” he said. His voice was pained. “I didn’t want her kiss.”

“How are you going to get another one?” she asked, half dreading and half anticipating his answer. “You can always go back to EnChant and—”

Her words stopped died on her tongue when Xavier touched the back of her hand. His touch was soft, yet firm.

“I don’t want another kiss.” He spat into the word another as if it disgusted him. He pulled back from her. Xavier focused on his hand for a tense second, then looked at her silently. Oh. The sheer determination that glittered in his eyes spoke for him. I want yours.

He bowed his head. “Why do most fairy tales end with a kiss?”

Good question. Blood hummed in her veins.

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