Page 56 of Cursed
“Psst,” Rowan got their attention and jerked her head toward the stage. “I think something is going to happen.”
Tony had replaced the previous guitar player. Pax sat at the table nearest the stage, with eyes only for his boyfriend.
Tony played a couple of upbeat tunes that got the small group of guests smiling and tapping their toes to the familiar, happy songs. Once he had their attention, Tony pivoted to a popular love song, and his gaze honed in on Pax, who seemed to be completely wrapped up in the song.
When he finished and the applause died down, Tony set the guitar down and looked to the small group of rescuers. “Thank you all for everything you risked, everything you did to save the man I love. I’m grateful beyond words.
“But I also realized that time waits for no one. There’s no perfect time to ask this, but Pax, will you marry me?”
Pax gave a delighted squeal and rushed toward Tony, who caught him in his arms, kissed him, and twirled him around. Everyone in the room clapped and cheered.
“Yes, definitely yes,” Pax said when they finally separated. “Forever yes.”
Nash signaled a server, who brought goblets of champagne for the group. “This round is on the house,” he announced as everyone took a glass.
“To Pax and Tony. May your love always shine brightly.” Nash raised a toast. The others called out their congratulations as they lifted their glasses in a salute. Pax and Tony beamed, holding each other’s goblets as they drank.
Seth snuck a look at Evan, who was clapping and happily caught up in the moment.I want that for us someday. When the hunt for the witch-disciples is over. It seems like tempting fate to get married before the quest is done, though. I want a happily-ever-after with Evan, where we buy a real house, get a dog, and live out a quiet, monster-free rest of our lives.
I’ve made assumptions, but we haven’t really talked about it. I know Evan’s in it for the long haul, for life. Does he want to get married sooner—or at all? Not everyone wants a ring, but I’ve always thought it would be nice. Not as much staking my claim as making a promise.
It’s a talk we need to have. Just to make sure we’re both on the same page. Things have been happening so fast since we got together; it seems like we’re always running for our lives. Maybe this little break we’re taking is the perfect opportunity.
Everyone moved to cluster around Pax and Tony, sharing hugs and well-wishes along with joking advice and good-natured teasing. The happy couple beamed.
Evan elbowed him. “You know, a week ago Pax and Tony hadn’t met any of us, and now it’s like we’ve all been lifelong friends.”
“Getting rescued from the diabolical clutches of an evil witch is a real ice breaker,” Seth replied, managing to keep a straight face.
Eventually, people drifted back to their tables. Pax and Tony caught Seth and Evan before they sat down again. “Thank you again,” Tony said. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you right away.”
“It’s definitely a truth is stranger than fiction kind of story,” Seth replied. “Even when people have wondered about the deaths in their families, there’s a big leap from ‘died under odd circumstances’ to ‘sacrificed by an immortal killer witch.’”
“True,” Pax agreed. “But thank you for sticking around and saving my ass.”
“I second that thank you,” Tony replied, slipping an arm around his fiancé. “I can’t believe this is what you do all the time.”
Seth and Evan exchanged a look and both shrugged. “Not exactly on either of our career plans, but we have a chance to put something right and stop bad things from happening. So here we are.”
“Do you know where you’re heading after this?” Pax asked.
Seth shook his head. He and Evan only had a few of the witch-disciples left to tackle, but where they would go next would depend on what their research turned up. He needed to check in with Milo and see if he had anything new for them.
“It’s a short list, but we haven’t picked one yet,” Evan said. “We’ll figure it out.”
“Did you see some of the sights?” Tony and Pax followed them back to the table, and a waiter took new drink orders.
Seth and Evan took turns filling them in on what sightseeing they had done earlier in the day and which historic locations they were heading to the next day.
“You’ve definitely hit my top picks that I’d suggest to someone coming here for the first time who didn’t have a long stay,” Tony replied. “Savannah really does have something for everyone.”
The next few hours passed surprisingly fast, a rare opportunity for a night out with friends. Seth didn’t realize how much he missed those outings, something their current life didn’t frequently offer an opportunity to enjoy.
Maybe we can chase down the bad guys and manage a little more downtime between life-threatening adventures,he thought.
“Let us know if any of your other witches are in the Charleston area,” Teag said to Kinsley as he and Rowan headed back to where they were staying. “We’re happy to help in person if we can, and always with lore and research.”
“Thank you,” Seth told their friends as they shook hands. “And if you need anything we’ve researched, just call.”
