Page 21 of Witch's Rite
And maybe it was. Just for him.
"So uh, you got laid."
I spun around to see Nona giving me a knowing look.
"Is it that obvious?" I said.
"For not being a morning person, you have the most energy and pep in your step that I've ever seen. You're downright glowing. And on top of that, you have that smile and that look in your eye that says not only did you get it, you got itgood."
"Yeah," I said casually, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. "I guess I did."
"You guess? You're like a whole new person, Deja." Nona placed her hands on my shoulders and shook gently. "Who are you and what have you done with my boss?"
"Magical dick. What can I say?" I snickered. She had no idea how true those words were.
"Holy shit, call the news stations," Nona declared. "Deja said a male body part without blushing and nervously looking around."
I laughed but her observation was eerily accurate. I really did feel like a whole new person. From the moment Sal was inside me, a newfound confidence and boldness circulated through my veins. And it only grew each time we made love, along with the memories of my past lives.
Was this confident, uninhibited, sex-hungry woman who I really was? If so, I hoped this new Deja was here to stay. I was ready to shed my sheltered, repressed background like an old skin.
When Juno walked in the moment Nona turned on our OPEN sign, this new Deja brimmed with eager anticipation.
"Morning, Juno," I greeted jovially from the counter. "What can we get you this morning?"
"Morning! I'm feeling like a pot of Irish Breakfast, I think."
She pulled a few bills from her wallet but I waved her money away. "It's on me today."
"What? No." She blinked her wide ocean-colored eyes in disbelief. "Deja, I insist. This is my favorite tea shop, I want to support it."
"And I want to show my customers that I appreciate them." I pressed the bills she set down into her palm, sending a small pulse of magic through her skin as I did so. "You can support us next time," I added with a wink.
"Oh, that won't do. I'll just hand a fat tip to Nona when you're not looking," she said, a knowing smile spreading across her face.
"Feel free. Nona keeps her tips and deserves all of them." I prepared her tea tray and gently set it in her hands. "Enjoy your Irish Breakfast."
"Thank you, Deja. You really didn't have to do that," Juno said graciously before turning to find a place to sit.
As the morning rush came through, I hoped Juno would stick around until we had a chance to talk. I couldn't cast glamour with Nona so close by and hoped my secret witch handshake was enough of a signal.
By the time our pre-lunch lull gave us a moment to breathe, Juno's teapot was cold and empty. Still, she remained curled up and cozy in an armchair, looking completely at home.
I shoveled a sandwich in my mouth to hold me over for the next rush. When Nona took a bathroom break, I made my move.
My fingers danced through the air as I wrapped a glamour spell around Juno's armchair and the one right next to her. No customers even looked up as I crossed the threshold and took a seat across from her. To outsiders looking in, we were having a perfectly mundane conversation about tea.
"So you're a witch." I wasted no time the moment I sat down.
Juno looked up calmly from her book, an amused twinkle in her eye.
"I was starting to wonder if you would ever talk to me, witch-to-witch."
"This is all really new to me," I admitted. "I didn't know how or evenifI should talk to you. I just learned glamour last night."
"Really?" She seemed surprised. "You wield your magic so beautifully, with masterful skill. I was shocked I didn't already know you."
"Thank you," I said, feeling a blush rise in my cheeks for the first time that day. "It's a long story but I only just found out I was a witch not even a month ago."
