Page 100 of Potions and Proposals
“Let them,” he said, pulling her closer. She tried to nudge him away, but he gripped her waist, refusing to budge. “I’m still waiting for my answer,” he said, tilting his head towards her so their noses were barely touching.
Lucy studied his lips, feeling a tumble of excitement in her tummy at the thought of kissing him. She slipped her hands to the back of his neck and let them drift into his hair. “No.”
His face fell and he tried to pull back, but she held him close. His confusion was so adorable she nearly broke her composure.
“I want a binding,” she clarified, and he shook his head, trying to conceal his bashful smile. “I need to make sure no one else gets a taste of these magnificent lips in this life or the next.”
Benedict lifted her off the counter and hauled her over his shoulder. “You’re going to pay for that!” He carried her into the back as she stifled a laugh and pleas to be let down.
The bell tinkled. They both looked up to see a customer standing in the door, eyebrows raised.
“Sorry, we’re closed for the rest of the afternoon. My wife and I need to have a talk,” Benedict said firmly before Lucy could do anything.
The customer gaped before nodding and backing out of the shop. Benedict let Lucy down, and she stood mortified as he quickly closed the door and pulled down the blind.
“I can’t believe you did that!” Though her stomach had done a little flip as he called her his wife…
He grinned. “Then what I’m going to do next is going to be an even bigger shock.”
“More apples are coming! Sorry for the wait!” Lucy promised those waiting in the long queue as she manned the toffee apple stall. Rosie and Emerson had left to get the extras stored in the Manor’s kitchen but were taking a little longer than she’d hoped. Those in the queue were grumbling a little, and she hated to disappoint the kids waiting most of all. Staving off a yawn, she noticed the moon was almost full overhead. The day of the binding would soon be upon them. She only hoped her element would return by then.
“Please feel free to pop over to another stall while you wait,” she added. “The hot dog with relish or the vegan burgers at the end of the lane will knock your socks off!”
A few petered off, while others loitered close by. Lucy couldn’t believe how quickly they were running out of stock; clearly the new layout of the festival was working. Mrs Larkhad also reported that the carousel had already made back the money they’d spent on the renovations.
“Lucinda! Please come quick,” Mr Rodriguez bellowed, making his way through the crowd.
“Take a breath. What’s wrong?” Lucy asked as he rested his hand on the rather rickety candy-striped stall and dabbed his forehead with a handkerchief. The queue, waiting for their overwhelmingly sweet apples, eyed him in bewilderment.
“Rosie and P-Professor Hughes…” he stammered, motioning for her to follow. “Come now!”
Before she could ask any questions, he was already down the lane. Lucy followed close behind, trying not to bump into anyone on the way.
“If you’d tell me what has happened—” She was interrupted by a shout and a loud growl. There was a crowd gathered in the square; something had clearly drawn their attention other than the festival antics. Lucy shoved her way through to see Rosie and Emerson standing by the white gazebo surrounded by a group of four visitors she didn’t recognise. It wasn’t unusual for new people to come to town for the festival, but the way they were standing made it look like someone was about to start chanting “Fight!”.
“Filthy traitor. He’s a member of the Order. We had to come and see it with our own eyes,” spat one of the men, in a rather worn shirt and jeans. The two other males nodded along. Behind them, a woman in a grey dress looked like she’d rather be anywhere but there.
Wolves,Lucy realised, missing Rosie’s reply. She stood protectively in front of Emerson, who spoke up next.
“There are families around. We should go our separate ways and enjoy the festival,” he said.
The smallest male’s eyes flashed amber. “Are you giving us orders? I should rip your throat out for even speaking to us!”Stepping forward, he knocked the tray of apples from Emerson’s arms. Thankfully, he didn’t react other than to take Rosie’s arm. Hopefully she wouldn’t go feral; her claws were extended.
Lucy couldn’t believe no one had intervened yet; thank goodness Mr Rodriguez had informed her before the confrontation got out of hand. Even the band performing on the gazebo were peering down and over at the crowd.
A glimmer of silver shone in Emerson’s waistband.Is that a gun?Lucy’s eyes must be playing tricks on her – there were enough fairy lights littered around town to make her head spin. It could have just been a reflection.
The way he removed his hand from the inside of his jacket when she stepped forward had her thinking otherwise. She clapped her hands, and all eyes fell on her.
“Everyone, please return to what you were doing! There is so much to experience, and only two hours left before the stalls and shops close up for the night.” She kept her voice calm and level, but with an edge of authority that told them to move the hell on and there was nothing to see here. While the crowd dispersed and the group of troublemakers turned to each other, clearly trying to figure out who was ruining their show, Lucy stepped up beside Rosie.
“Retract the claws,” she ordered, not wanting her friend to get in trouble. Committing violence at the festival in front of magless and visitors would carry a harsh punishment.
Rosie, lost in her wolf rage, growled at her before realising who she was.
“What’s going on?” Lucy asked, calmly and clearly. The group of wolves glared at her, but she kept her attention on Rosie and Emerson.
“We were coming back to the stall when this lot came out of the house of horrors and wouldn’t let us pass,” Emerson explained while Rosie kept her attention on the group.
