Page 25 of Jade Lion and the Witch Boy
“What’s all this?”
“Upgraded protection charm,” Ashley replies with a smile.
“It pushes away any malicious thoughts and makes others not want to mess with you. No more muggings or assaults from mortals, or any spellcasters who may be in the vicinity.” Lisbeth finishes tying the ward around my wrist. The charm resembles a tiny copper pressed coin with a rune etched into it, held together by a white braided rope.
“Everyone in our coven needs to wear them now,” Lisbeth says with a firm tone that leaves little room for argument. She’s been my wise mentor ever since I discovered my witchy nature, but I’m not fond of being told what to do. Still, she might have a point, since superhero lion mages won’t always be around.
“That means one for you too, Kai,” Ashley says. Kai seems amused as she wraps one around his wrist.
“Are we sure the Jade Lion himself needs our protection? You’ve seen his arcana,” I murmur.
“He definitely does!” Lisbeth turns to him. “It is imperative you keep it on even when you sleep.” She seems particularly serious, and Kai nods with understanding.
“Please keep this on,” Ashley urges.
“I will.” Kai turns to me. “As long as you do as well. You were assaulted once, and I will not let that happen again. Keeping you safe is my priority.” His chivalry warms my heart. It’s almost as sweet as the feeling of his lion form sleeping under my hand.His purring was so cute.
I bite back a goofy grin and force myself to break eye contact with Kai. We’re simply new friends, and we have to remain that way. He’s new to this era, he’ll probably move away eventually, and most importantly, I want to focus on being single right now.I need to remind myself of the reasons not to jump his bones when we sleep together every night.
Even though he is my daily lustful fantasy wrapped in tight abs, huge biceps, and magical skills.
“I’m gonna get started on the baking,” I murmur. “You know how to get to the library, right?” I ask, avoiding eye contact.
“Indeed, I do. Stay safe, and have a good day.”
I make it to the kitchen just as I hear Kai walking away and the girls bidding him goodbye. Once the door to the front counter shuts, I take a deep breath, trying to focus on something other than Kai. I put on my apron and begin assembling my ingredients for muffins. Baking isn’t as fun as potion-making, but I love being able to spend any time in a kitchen and get paid.
After I pour in the cinnamon, Lisbeth walks in, then studies me carefully. I avoid her gaze and say, “We have some pumpkin spice muffin batches in the freezer. I’ll go get started on that, then make this new batch.”
“That’s fine. I’m not messing with my favorite potions witch.” She shoots me a coy grin, and I don’t know what she’s getting at.
So, I keep moving, preheating the oven, and taking the batches out of the freezer. “How many potions witches do you know?”
She continues to study me with an odd smile, so I turn my attention to assembling the fresh batch while the other one defrosts. After another minute, I can’t take this weird scrutiny. “Can I help you, Lisbeth?”
“It’s nothing,” she says, implying that itiscertainly something.
“Right.” I crack two eggs, then toss out the shells. “Look, I’ll stay away from Kevin, but maybe we should have two people during closing? That will keep me safe.”
“It’s not that. We’ll be fine as long as you wear your charm.”
I give her a bewildered look. “Then what is it? Because you never hang out here when I bake.”
She looks me up and down. “You and Kai are growing quite close, yes?”
There’s no way she knows I rubbed him to sleep as a lion. “Um, we’re friends?”
She seems to know there are details I’m not telling her. She taps on the counter and continues to study me. “And you two have been spending quality time alone, practicing magic, correct?”
“I’m not really getting any solo magic skills during our lessons, but yeah.”
“Regardless, you can help him jog his memories. Go have dinner with him, or maybe even take a weekend getaway?”
I frown. “I just had a vacation. Also, what are you getting at?”
She looks up. “I simply wanted to thank you for making the Jade Lion feel so welcome in our coven. I can tell he admires you. He’s really taken a liking to you, honey.”
My cheeks burn at the praise. Kai likes me? It’s one thing to suspect it, it’s another for your coven leader to say so. “I’m…just a novice potions witch.”
