Page 37 of Magic & Mochas
Before I could use my shadows to open the shop’s door, it swung open on its own.Or so I thought, until Silas meowed at me.That cup of whipped cream must have been more effective than I’d thought.I was actually rather touched that the feline had accepted me enough to open the door for me.
“Thanks, Silas.I got a treat for you earlier—remind me to give you your dessert later this evening.”He meowed again instead of hissing, so I took that as a good sign.
“I’ll send you the map tomorrow for where to drop off the drinks!”Mei called over her shoulder to Clove, as she nearly bumped into me.I steadied her with my shadows.“Oh, hi Thorne!I’ve got to run, but I’ll see you both at the ball!”
“I’ll look forward to having some more of your dumplings,” I replied as she exited the shop.The fire drake gave me a thumbs-up through the window.
Chuckling to myself, I wove carefully between occupied tables until I made it behind the front counter, where Clove was waiting with an expectant look in her turquoise eyes.
“Coralyn finished the alterations for us,” I said with a smile as I set the neatly wrapped boxes on the counter.
“I can’t wait to see them,” she said excitedly, tracing a finger along the bow.She looked back up to say, “Thanks for picking them up—”
When Clove stared at me, frowning, I stilled.“Clove?What is it?”
“How did this happen?”She reached a hand up to my cheek, her thumb tracing the skin just below the mark left by Rasmus’ thorns.
“It’s nothing.I wasn’t paying enough attention and got pricked by a thorn, is all,” I explained smoothly.She had enough to worry about, what with catering the drinks for the ball.I didn’t want to add today’s little incident to that list.
“Don’t lie to me, Thorne,” Clove said sternly, with a scowl.“I can sense Rasmus’ magic from this wound.What happened?!”
I winced.“Rasmus is perfectly fine, I promise.You don’t have to worry about him.”
“I’m not worried abouthim,”she said heatedly, and took my face in her hands.
I went very, very still.
“Then…” I trailed off, my eyes searching hers.
“I’m worried aboutyou!”The intensity in her gaze rooted me to the spot.“I don’t want you getting hurt or in trouble with the sheriff for my sake.I couldn’t care less about my ex—so long as he’s still breathing somewhere far away from me!”
Had I really considered leaving this woman only a few minutes ago?How could I possibly have considered leaving behind the one and only person in this world who was actually worried aboutmegetting hurt, instead of my opponent?
If I wandered away from her now, I knew deep in my bones I would regret it for the rest of my life.
I couldn’t hide from the truth or keep denying it any longer.I had fallen for Clove.I had fallen for her from the very first day we met.I had simply been too afraid to admit it, even to myself.
I closed my eyes, melting into her touch.“Rasmus spotted me leaving Bubbles & Bobbins, and tried to ruin your dress.He was under the delusion that you would then go to the ball as his partner if he provided a new dress that matched his outfit for you.”
“Of course he did,” Clove muttered angrily.“But Thorne, you know you’re more important to me than some stupid dress, right?”
“I do now.”A lump rose in the back of my throat.
“Good.”Clove nodded, and I felt magic start to gather in her fingertips, which hadn’t moved from my face.“I hope you made him regret this scratch.”
“What sort of shadowmancer worth his salt wouldn’t?”I scoffed.“I gave him one to match, with a warning.”
“Well done.”She gave me a wicked grin.“If the look on his face was anything like the one from the other night when he barged in here, then I’m almost sad I missed it.”
Her nose scrunched in concentration, and I felt an itching sensation in my cheek, right where the scratch was.
“There.All healed up.”She traced her thumb over the fresh skin where the cut had been, before pulling her hands back.
I didn’t let her get far, though.I grabbed her healing hands, and this time, it was her turn to go still.
I kissed her forehead softly.“Thank you.For caring.”
“Always.”
