Page 102 of Potions and Proposals
“I needed a hug,” she groaned, and he kissed the top of her head.
“Want to go home?”
“I’ve got to get back to the stall and make sure Rosie and Emerson are okay.”
On the way back to the toffee apple stall, Benedict listened intently as she explained what had happened. He felt so proud to call her his. The town had seen how she’d diffused the situation, and how she was going to make an excellent High Priestess. She led with her heart, which was the very thing Foxford needed in a leader to thrive. Like his heart, the town belonged to her.
“You shouldn’t have revealed your identity to them!” Rosie was snapping at Emerson when they reached the stand.
“I thought they would back off. I didn’t like the way they were looking at you,” Emerson said, taking cash from the next customer. There were only a few waiting, so hopefully they could all call it a night soon.
Benedict awkwardly cleared his throat as he and Lucinda walked right into the argument.
“I grew up with them, and of course they were suspicious of you. They’re suspicious of everyone who isn’t part of the pack. They wouldn’t have hurt me, but by opening your mouth you only escalated the situation!” Rosie hissed.
“You thought a group of wolves would respect your position with the Order? You’re lucky you kept that pretty face,” Benedict muttered, and Lucinda elbowed him the side. He hadn’t necessarily meant to speak aloud.
To his surprise, Emerson turned on him and shoved him, though Rosie quickly got between them.
Lucinda took Benedict’s hand, but he had no intention of striking the man. Lucinda had already diffused one situation tonight – he didn’t want to make it two.
“Don’t get upset. Exposing your position was ballsy. But our ancestors would roll over in their graves if they thought a werewolf needed protection from a human!” he quipped.
Emerson squared up to him, his jaw clenched tightly.So there is a fighter in him after all,Benedict thought.
“If they’d so much as touched me– her– this place would be swarming with Hunters in the morning,” the professor ground out, defending his stupid decision.
“How reassuring. I’m sure your girlfriend loves that you can click your fingers and bring Hunters down on the pack,” Benedict said, looking to Rosie, who didn’t look too comfortable with the thought.
“Don’t be an arsehole! I’d never call for Hunters. It was just a threat. We all know Alpha Beline wouldn’t want me reporting to the Order that her wolves were intimidating residents of Foxford or one of their members.” Emerson kept his voice level, but he couldn’t hide his frustration. Rosie, her anger fading, took Emerson’s hand. “I’m sorry, Benedict, but you aren’t in a position to judge my actions when you weren’t there.”
Both men continued to glare at each other, but Benedict conceded that he had a point. He knew Lucinda was able to handle herself, but if someone had threatened his wife – oops, he meant fiancée – in front of him, he’d probably burn them alive. Or at least singed them slightly.
Benedict walked away first. Lucy looked to Emerson while Rosie caught up to Benedict, probably trying to talk him down.
“I know I shouldn’t have threatened the pack with hunters,” Emerson confessed, looking after her. “I couldn’t help it. She’d put herself in harm’s way for anyone, and I’ve seen the cases she works on. When I learnt about how her mum died, and with the rumours of our dating floating around town… I was terrified the wolves would hurt her for just walking down the street with me.”
“Rosie’s heart is her best asset and biggest weakness. Thank you for looking out for her, but in future, be careful with Beline’s wolves. They could’ve ripped your throat out,” Lucy warned him. Emerson didn’t look dissuaded. “You can’t mention a word of this to the Order, or it won’t be Rosie you’ll have to worry about.”She looked him in the eye, making sure he wouldn’t put any of them at risk.
“Not a word. It was never my intention to get them involved.” Emerson held up his hands defensively. “Rosie is safe with me. I would never let anyone hurt her.”
Distracted by the laughter ahead, they watched Benedict shove Rosie into a pile of leaves gathered in a heap, breaking the tension. Emerson looked warily at the pair. Lucy placed her hand on his arm.
“They’ve always been like that. Best not to intervene,” she explained, not wanting to break up another fight.
“Do you think he’ll stop looking at me like I’m the enemy any time soon?”
“Wanting to protect Rosie earned you some points, even if the way you went about it was foolish. Give it time – you might even become friends,” she said. Hopefully time would be enough.
Emerson arched his eyebrow.
“Friendlier,” she conceded. Magic might be real, but she wasn’t so sure about miracles.
“I’ll take it,” he sighed.
“Are you going to pick up the pace, or do I need to throw you over my shoulder?” Benedict interrupted, thankfully in a better mood. Emerson slung his arm around Rosie’s shoulder, falling behind. Staring at her best friend, Lucy wondered if Emerson would leave the Order for her. If he didn’t, would Rosie have to give up Foxford?
“Leave them be. We should know better than to get involved with matters of the heart,” Benedict said, breaking her out of her thoughts. Lucy felt the warmth of his hand in hers. She just wanted Rosie to find her person, as she’d found hers. If that was Emerson, she’d respect her choice.
