Page 54 of Bearly Bewitched

She twisted to look up at him, heart skipping at the mischief in his golden eyes. “That’s not fair. You know I can’t resist a mystery.”

“I’m counting on it.” He captured her hand, leading her through the crowded market square.

They passed Clover’s enchanted garden where frost-touched roses bloomed impossibly in February air. The earth witch had outdone herself, creating winding paths between flowering arbors that couples strolled through hand-in-hand. Rook’s massive tiger form lounged nearby, radiating smug satisfaction as visitors admired his mate’s work.

“Show-off,” Clover murmured fondly, scratching behind his ears. The massive predator actually purred, making nearby flowers burst into sudden bloom.

“You’re one to talk,” the alpha tiger rumbled after shifting smoothly to human form. He pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her temple. “I saw those heart-shaped topiaries dancing earlier.”

“That was an accident! Sort of.”

Near the craft stalls, Ren helped Sabine hang enchanted paper hearts that chimed softly in the breeze. The ancient dragon’s usual gravity had softened into something almost playful as his mate carefully balanced on tiptoe to reach higher branches. His hands settled possessively on her waist when she swayed.

“I can shift if I need to,” Sabine reminded him, though she made no move to leave his steadying grip.

“Perhaps I simply enjoy catching you.” His voice carried centuries of devotion.

She turned in his arms, tiger grace making the movement liquid-smooth. “Perhaps I enjoy letting you.”

“And they callusdisgustingly cute,” Kaine murmured as they passed the couple.

Vail squeezed his hand. “We are disgustingly cute. I’ve just decided to embrace it.”

He led her down a quieter side street where market crowds thinned. Magic-touched lanterns cast intimate pools of light between shadow, their glow reflecting off frost-rimmed windows. The sound of music and laughter faded to a pleasant backdrop.

“Close your eyes,” he instructed softly.

“Kaine...”

“Trust me?”

Always, she thought but didn’t say. Instead she let her eyes drift shut, other senses heightening to compensate. His warm hands on her shoulders guided her forward a few steps. Then she heard the soft click of a door opening, felt warm air rush out to meet them.

“Okay. Look.”

She opened her eyes and gasped. They stood in a small courtyard transformed into a winter wonderland. Enchanted snowflakes danced in the air, never touching ground but casting rainbow lights as they spun. The walls dripped with delicate ice sculptures that somehow radiated warmth instead of cold. And everywhere, tiny lights pulsed in time with her heartbeat.

“How did you...”

“I had some help.” He wrapped his arms around her from behind. “Romi handled the weather magic, Clover grew the ice flowers, and Sabine added the light effects. But the basic idea was mine.”

She turned in his embrace, overwhelmed by the effort he’d put into surprising her. “It’s beautiful. But why...”

“Because I love you.” His eyes held that tender heat that made her knees weak. “Because you deserve beautiful things. Because making you smile is quickly becoming my favorite hobby.”

She stretched up to kiss him, pouring all her emotion into it.

The enchanted snowflakes swirled faster around them, caught in her magic’s happy surge.

When they finally broke apart, she stayed close enough to share breath. “I love you too. So much it scares me sometimes.”

“Good scared or bad scared?” His thumb traced her lower lip.

“The best kind of scared. The kind that comes with knowing I’ve found something precious and real and absolutely worth any risk.”

He kissed her again, slower this time but no less intense. One hand tangled in her hair while the other splayed possessively across her lower back, pulling her flush against him. Heat bloomed everywhere they touched, making her forget the winter chill entirely.

A wolf whistle suddenly pierced their private moment. They turned to find their friends crowded in the courtyard entrance, all wearing varying degrees of amused expressions.

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