Page 153 of Shroom for Improvement

I kissed him again. Couldn’t help myself. “I love you.”

He didn’t say I love you back. “If …thatdoesn’t do anything outside of Stinkhorn land, I will simply continue to pioneer local magic through good soil health. Every person has the capability to make minor changes that’ll have a big impact.”

“Pee-bales for everyone!” I said.

Sonny dropped the duvet to the ground and pulled me close, kissing me fiercely.

“Pee-bales for everyone,” he repeated, once we broke apart.

When we got to The Night Cap, it was to find Oggy still cradling a pail and Willow wearing Oggy’s pinny.

“I’m cooking breakfast today,” they said. “So, good luck with that.”

Oggy glanced up from the bucket. “Thank you for saving us all,” she said meekly. “I really didn’t want to go back into the ether. It smells weird, and the food is awful, and we’re not allowed to decorate.”

Before I could even ask what the hecking fuck the ether was, or say anything to either of them, John pulled me into an organ-smushing hug.

“I knew you could do it,” he whispered, grabbing Sonny over my shoulder, and tugging him into the embrace as well. “It’s tradition after the solstice to have a party. In the summer, Angus would usually go nap, and then we’d have a big feast in the evening with all the new fruits and veg.”

“New fruits and veg?” Sonny’s eyes lit up.

“You should check out the kitchen gardens,” John said.

“Oh, my gods, can we?”

“Of course,” I said. “Before or after breakfast?”

Sonny looked at my tummy, which chose that exact moment to rumble like a distant thundercloud. “We’ll go after. I can wait.”

“The Winter Fest feast is better, though,” John continued. “Because the ritual is performed at sundown on the shortest day, and then we party immediately afterwards.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Sonny said.

My heart slammed itself against my ribcage. Sonny was looking forward to the winter solstice ritual. He was sticking around. Or at the very least, he’d be back. With me. On Winter Fest. A holiday most people spent with their families.

Why was my vision suddenly so cloudy?

Somebody cleared their throat behind me, and I caught the faint whiff of eggs.

I turned, and there stood Mr Dupont, teeny tiny jean shorts around his middle and a sorry-for-himself, puppy-dog expression on his face.

Instinctively, I stepped in front of Sonny, shielding him. I remembered everything Sonny had told me about the kidnapping and the escape. “Listen, I know you’re nine feet tall and a product of actual Hell, but if you harm my boyfriend, I will destroy you.”

Beside me John said,“Nawwww,so sweet.”

“I’m not going to hurt him. I promise,” Mr Dupont began. “I need to say something to Sonny.” He looked over his shoulder to Mrs Ziegler, who stood in the entrance of the guest-house dining room.

She said nothing, not so much as an encouraging nod.

“Uh, I just wanted to say... I forgive you for wasting all the diesel in the rental truck—”

“Jasper!” Mrs Ziegler snapped, her tone bursting with danger.

“Fine, I’m sorry I kidnapped you. And forced you to play twenty questions with me. And made you squeeze through a jagged little hole in a bathroom wall?” He phrased his apology like a question and looked at Mrs Ziegler for confirmation.

Again she said nothing, clearly expecting more.

“And I promise never to kidnap you again, or His Lordship, or interfere with the ritual in any way.”

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