Cauldrons and Cat Tails (Moonvale Matches #2)

39. Kizzi

CHAPTER 39

Kizzi

I awoke with Tandor curled around me, my back pressed to his front, our legs entwined, his chin tucked on top of my head.

My muscles had never felt so languid. I never wanted to move.

I soaked in the comfort for long minutes, but eventually Tandor began to stir.

“Good morning. You snore, by the way.”

He snorted. “No, I don’t.” He snaked his arms around my waist, tugged me even closer.

I snuggled into his embrace. “No, you don’t.”

A laugh rumbled in his chest. “I like this.”

“This?” I shifted, rubbing my ass against his crotch.

His laugh turned into a growl. His arms tightened around me. “I’m trying to be sweet.”

“Nobody’s stopping you.”

“I was trying to say that I like this. You. In my bed. In my cottage.”

I rolled to face him. His eyes were half lidded, still sleepy. “I like this too.”

Tandor tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear before he let his fingers stroke over my cheek, petting the skin there. “You should stay.”

I smiled. “I would, but I need to get to the shop. I’ve got orders to catch up on.”

His cheek twitched, and he met my gaze. His eyes burned into mine. “I’m serious.”

I remembered our quiet confessions the night before. Nerves fluttered in my belly. “You want me to move into your cottage?”

He nodded. His eyes scanned over my face before meeting my stare again. “Yes. At least part of the time. You’ve got your room in your shop, but whenever you want to spend time with me…” He trailed off, either distracted or nervous, I couldn’t tell.

I grinned. He was adorable. “I think that’s a great idea.”

His eyes lit up. “You do?”

“I do.”

I leaned forward, tossing my arm around his neck and pulling his lips to mine.

I t wasn’t until I returned to my apothecary that I noticed some of the repercussions of the ritual last night.

My shop, usually simmering with magic, was at the point of boiling. I stepped outside.

If I paid attention, I could sense the magic everywhere. It coated the cobblestones, soaked the folk, clung to the breeze.

It was everywhere . I inhaled deeply, pulling magic into my lungs and huffing it out on a sigh. It was delightful, so much magic. Euphoric. I glanced around to see other folk doing the same thing, looking bewildered, looking stunned.

The Hallow’s Eve rituals could strengthen magic, sure, could pull more to the area. But this? This was something different entirely.

I had never been so entirely drenched in magic.

I took a moment to stand there in awe, breathing in the magic, letting it soak into my pores and drift out on my exhales.

And then it all clicked into place. And I knew what was happening.

Fiella’s voice called out from down the street, shouting the same thoughts. “Kizzi! What’s going on? Has magic finally returned to the realm?”