Page 40 of Bearly Believable Romance

“Where is this woman now?” Tabitha asked, her voice tight with urgency. “What does she plan to do with the chalice?”

The boy shook his head, his eyes brimming with tears. “I-I don’t know,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “She never told us her plans, just gave us our money and sent us on our way. Please, I swear that’s all I know!”

They needed to act fast to find this mysterious woman and stop her before she could lay her hands on the Celestial Chalice. The fate of Whispering Pines hung in the balance, and they would not let it fall.

With a nod of understanding, Bram released the boy, his voice firm but not unkind. “Go,” he said to the boy with no scent of magic, dark or light, on him. “Choose a different path, one of honesty and help to your fellow men. It’s never too late to change.”

The boy hesitated for a moment, his eyes searching Bram’s face for any sign of deception. Finding only sincerity and compassion, he nodded, a glimmer of hope sparking in his gaze. With a final glance at Tabitha, the boy turned and fled, disappearing into the woods.

“We need to find this woman,” Tabitha said, her voice low and urgent as she turned to Bram. “If she gets her hands on the chalice, who knows what kind of destruction she could unleash?”

Bram nodded, his jaw clenched with determination. “Agreed. But there’s nothing more we can do tonight. We’ll plan tomorrow after we meet with Luna.”

After they’d cleaned up the mess in the rooms the boys had rifled through and Bram made sure every window and door was locked, they settled on the couch, He grabbed the remote, a mischievous grin on his face.

“No more thinking about magic and disasters tonight. How about a movie to unwind? I’m thinking Die Hard.”

Tabitha raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “Die Hard? Isn’t that a Christmas movie?”

Bram let out a bark of laughter. “Oh, not you too. It’s an action classic that just happens to take place at Christmas.”

They fell into a spirited debate, their laughter ringing through the house as they argued the merits of John McClane’s holiday heroics. As the movie played, Bram pulled Tabitha closer, his arm draped around her shoulders.

In a quieter moment, their conversation turned serious once more. They discussed plans for the Celestial Chalice, the magical artifact that had brought so much trouble to their doorstep.

“We could use it to strengthen the town’s defenses,” Tabitha mused, her fingers tracing idle patterns on Bram’s arm. “Create a protective barrier that would warn us of any future threats.”

Bram pressed a kiss to her temple, his heart swelling with love and pride. “I like the way you think. We’ll bring it up at the meeting.”

“Now, about this Die Hard being a Christmas movie,” he said, “I will have you know that is completely incorrect. Elf is a Christmas movie.”

She gave a slow nod with a grin. “I think I understand. Like Home Alone is about a kid being left at home, not a Christmas movie, right?”

“Wait…that’s not what I mean.”

She raised her brows and laughed. “Because it’s a Christmas movie, isn’t it.”

He gave a gruff sigh. “You’re impossible.”

“Admit it, I’m right.”

“I admit nothing other than the fact you look good in my T-shirt.” He leaned in for a kiss and pulled her into his arms, forgetting all about the movie.

TWENTY-ONE

Songbirds outside the window chirped as Tabitha slowly opened her eyes. The weight of her newfound responsibilities settled upon her like a comforting blanket intertwined with the love she felt for Bram. It was a sensation that made her feel as though she’d made the right decision in moving to Whispering Pines.

She stretched languidly, a smile playing on her lips as she recalled the events of the previous night. The community gathering had been a turning point, not just for her inheritance, but for her relationship with Bram. It had been a moment of vulnerability and strength, and it had solidified her place in this magical community.

Tabitha made her way downstairs, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee guiding her steps. As she entered the kitchen, she found a note from Bram, his handwriting as strong and steady as his presence in her life.

“Good morning, beautiful. Had to run some errands, but I’ll be back soon. Love, Bram.”

She traced her fingers over the words, her heart swelling. It was in that moment of contentment that a sudden, sharp tapping sound drew her attention to the window. A raven, its feathers glinting with an iridescent sheen, perched on the sill, a small scroll tied to its leg.

Curiosity piqued, Tabitha opened the window and carefully untied the message. As she unrolled the parchment, her eyes widened in shock. The words written in an elegant script hinted at a revelation she had never expected.

“Your twin sister is involved with the rogue magic users. Seek the truth.”

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