Page 32 of With This Witch
She pushes away from him just enough to gaze up into his beautiful face while her magic sizzles under his touch.
“Despite the break and entering, you are something else, Mr. Grace.”
“That’s Mr. Grace-Rose to you now,” he says as he leans down and kisses her forehead before sliding an arm under her legs and carrying her over the threshold.
“Welcome home, witchling.”
CHAPTERNINETEEN
Petra
Over the next few days, Petra makes sure to notify the council of her marriage and verifies that she met their stupid condition. When she doesn’t get any response back, be it congratulations or complete outrage, she figures she has sufficiently met their condition which signals her acceptance of her destiny as the next Premier Witch. If only things were that simple.
On the fifth day of being married to Lachlan, a letter arrives.
Dear Mrs. Grace-Rose,
We, the council, thank you for notifying us of your successful marriage. While this means you have met the condition set before you, some concerns have been brought forth by some of the members regarding your chosen partner and what that means for the council and community at large. As such, your presence is requested at a council meeting in two days’ time.
Councilor Amare
“Well, shit,” Petra says.
Lachlan appears from around the corner and stands beside her at the kitchen counter. “What? What’s wrong?”
She hands him the notice and watches his face as he reads. She expects some kind of reaction from him—frustration at being left out of council proceedings, anger that she is being called in, anything really. But his features remain infuriatingly neutral. It’s as if he read something that holds little meaning for him. Maybe it does? Maybe it means more to her than it does to him?
“Interesting,” he eventually says.
Petra stomps down the building spark inside her. “That’s it? Just ‘interesting’?”
Noticing the sparks at her fingers, Lachlan takes a few steps back from her and leans against the opposite counter, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Have I done something wrong?”
“This clearly can’t be good. Why am I the only one here who seems to see that?”
“I didn’t say anything about it. I don’t understand why you are so worked up over this.”
“Please explain then what you find so interesting,” she replies sarcastically. To be honest, she’s not entirely sure why she’s so worked up either. It’s not like it’s the first time she’s been called before the council. Though that generally doesn’t end up going well for her.
Lachlan takes a breath and then begins speaking slowly, choosing his words carefully. “I find this interesting because you notified them a few days ago. I have been in the chambers since then, and nothing was said. As far as I’m aware, no one even looked at me differently. So to me, that means they met without me there, and I would assume without Gladys as well. Again, that’s interesting. As it means there is something else going on that we’re being left out of.”
“Oh,” she says.
“Yeah, oh. I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to argue against our union.”
“But I don’t have time to find anyone else.” And she didn’t want to marry anyone else. Being married to Lachlan—at least the first five days—had been great so far.
“And you won’t have to. Remember, they didn’t have any stipulations about who you could marry. So this marriage is valid.” He begins to raise his arms up to open them for a hug, but he stops himself and instead stands awkwardly in the space. “Feel a little better now?” he asks.
“Yes. Sorry. I was expecting more of a response and the flat ‘interesting’ seemed like you didn’t care.”
“Petra, when it comes to you, Ialwayscare. I just can’t go flying off the handle at everything.”
Feeling her cheeks warm, Petra turns to face the counter. “I guess that makes sense.” She looks around for something to do, trying to make it look less awkward, but all of the dishes are clean and put away and the damn kitchen is spotless.
While she can’t see him, she knows he’s closer than he was. His breath brushes past her neck. “Would you like some pancakes for breakfast?”
“Sounds good,” she squeaks. She steps away, rounding the counter, and sits on a stool on the other side, putting a safe distance between them.
