Page 11 of With This Witch
She reads the letter over a second time. Then a third. The message doesn’t change, but with each read her magic sparks inside her more and more, feeling barbed as her frustration grows. “Who the fuck do they think they are?” she seethes to the empty room. “Seriously? The Wilkses are summoning me?” This has to be a setup.
Morris leaps on the counter, sitting in front of her and tilting his head as he examines her. “Sorry, bub,” she says, running her hand along his head. He mews at her, accepting her apology, and begins to purr. Taking a breath, she feels her power smooth out and begin to flow softly under her skin.
She’ll have to talk to Gammy about this summons tomorrow, but in the meantime she needs to get ready for Lachlan. The thought of a date with him sends butterflies dancing in her stomach and a brief smile to break across her lips.One thing at a time.
CHAPTERSIX
Lachlan
Pulling up to Declan’s house has Lachlan feeling all sorts of nervous. He knows offering to marry Petra is wild, and he’s happy to do it. To help her. To keep her within the community. But he needs someone else to tell him he’s not being a complete idiot, and he can only hope his little brother is the one do to that for him.
“Hey, come on in,” Declan says standing in the open doorway.
“Thanks. You’re looking good.”
“Yeah, man. Already feeling so much better. I finally ditched the crutches too!” Declan responds, leading them into the living room. “So what’s up?”
Lachlan flops down on the couch, putting his feet up on the coffee table. Declan side-eyes him, so Lachlan removes his feet and sits up. “I need to tell you something, but I need you to listen first and then give me your objective opinion.”
Declan narrows his eyes skeptically at Lachlan’s request. “Okay,” Declan responds slowly, drawing out the word into multiple syllables.
“So at the council meeting the other night, Petra Rose was brought in, and there was a discussion about her candidacy for the next Premier Witch. Gladys is sick, by the way. It’s not good,” Lachlan says. Declan nods along, taking in the information silently and does his best to not let his face say anything on his behalf. “Anyway, Grog basically suckered her into a deal to show she was committed to the role.”
Remaining stone-faced, Declan says, “Okay. So what was the deal?”
“Petra has to get married within thirty days. Well, now less than thirty days.”
“And you’re concerned?” Declan asks.
“I am. I think Grog’s up to something, but that’s not why I am here. Or not completely,” Lachlan clarifies.
“So why are you here?”
“I offered to marry her,” Lachlan responds.
Declan lurches forward in his chair. “You what?”
“I asked you to listen first, remember,” Lachlan says. Declan leans back again, the effort to remain calm visible in his features. “Yes, I offered to marry her. There was no stipulation of who she could marry, and we’re friends. I wanted to help. Now I need you to tell me I’m not out of my mind.”
Declan takes a deep breath, and replies, his voice even and restrained, “Of course you’re out of your mind. You offered to marry her to, what, help her solve a problem?”
“Kind of, I guess.”
“And you’ve had a thing for her for a while, haven’t you?”
“I haven’t had athingfor her.”
“You have. You did this so you could be close to her.”
“I did not!”Liar.“I wanted to help a friend. Anyway, am I an idiot?”
“Yes, you’re an idiot.”
“Thanks,” Lachlan responds sarcastically.
“But I think your heart is likely in the right place,” Declan continues. “It sounds like Grog is trying to trap her. But if you can help her and stick it to him at the same time, it sounds almost sensible.”
“Thanks,” Lachlan smiles. Checking his phone, he notices the time. “Sorry, I have to go. I need to stop into the Acorn for a bit this afternoon. Thanks for the help.”
