Page 27 of With This Witch
“Ok. What are you thinking?”
“We need to keep our friendship at the forefront. Regardless of what happens, we are friends first, and it is important that we stay friends after.”
“Ok. Stay friends. Easy. What else?” he replies, the corner of his mouth quirking up ever-so-slightly. Is he amused by this?
“Gammy said this needs to appear legitimate or at least that I am taking this seriously. So I suggest thatifwe get married, we remain married for a period of two years to make it appear real and not just something that was done for the sole purpose of getting a title. After two years, we can get divorced and go back to our pre-marriage lives. Oh, and with that, because this needs to look real, we can’t date anyone else while we are married.”
“Got it. Stay friends, stay married for two years, no affairs. Anything else?”
“That’s all I have. But you need to get some benefit out of this as well. So what are your demands?” she asks.
“Aside from getting to marry into the most powerful witch line? Nothing.”
Petra scoffs. “Don’t try and flatter me. No, you are sacrificing yourself for me, and I need to know that you are getting something out of our arrangement, too.”
He smirks at her, clearly enjoying this. “Being married to you also helps me appear more devoted to the council. It shows that I’m willing to attach myself to someone, and as an added plus, it gives me a reason not to return to the underworld. And it shows that I could potentially be a part of creating a new demon-witch power spawn.” Petra opens her mouth to add a comment, but he cuts her off. “I don’t want children, and I’m not suggesting we have any. But the outer world doesn’t need to know that.” He pauses. “Anything else?” he asks.
“No. I think that’s it.”
“Okay, then, Petra Edaline Rose, will you marry me?”
Petra sits in silence, running through the options in her head. Her head tells her to do the logical thing and just give Premier Witch to Sloan, recognizing that this decision shouldn’t be something she wavers over. She should want it completely, without a doubt. But then she thinks of her Gammy, newly widowed with a young infant, taking on the role. As great as she’s been as the Premier Witch, she likely had her own self-doubts at that time.
On the other hand, her heart is pulling her toward Lachlan, the Premier Witch title, the family legacy. It tells her to take this challenge and to follow the line that leads to power, but also leads to pride in herself and love of others. It tells her that her path to Premier Witch is unconventional but the right direction for her to take.
After a painstakingly long time, she opts to go with her heart, trusting that it won’t lead her astray. “Yes. Let’s do it.”
“Do what?” he asks, clearly fighting an excited smile that wants to break across his perfectly shaped lips.
“Make me Premier Witch. Let’s get married.”
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
Lachlan
Lachlan beams from ear to ear. It’s been nearly two days since she agreed to marry him, and he hasn’t stopped smiling. When Petra decided to follow through with the wedding, he swears his heart did a jig in delight.
After their conversation and Petra’s decision that night, she asked him to stay the night “as friends,” stating she didn’t want to be alone. He was happy to see she appeared to be in better spirits the following day. He’s not ashamed to admit that waking up next to Petra was perfect. He woke with her curled into his chest with his arm wrapped around her middle.
At that thought, he feels his phone vibrate in the back pocket of his jeans. He takes it out and looks down to see Petra’s name. They’ve been messaging pretty much constantly since they parted ways yesterday morning. He opens up the message from Petra, already smiling, and reads:
Petra
Good morning, fluffy.
So, I know Gammy wants a big wedding to show everyone publicly, but I’ve been thinking…
Lachlan
Good morning, witchling.
What schemes have you been cooking up?
Well…
What if we got married today?
…
