Page 18 of A Witch for Solstice

Her claws fly to her chest. “Tarnish it, how?”

How can I explain that I want her to love with all of the pure-hearted romanticism she showed me? If she disregards her mate’s feelings by asking me to be her mistress, my sweet memories of her will leave a bitter taste in my mouth. “You’re good, Matty. I want you to be true.”

She jerks her head back. “Iwillbe true.”

“Then don’t do this with me.” I ball my skirt in my fists. “Choose your mate tonight. Water your relationship. Make each other happy.”

I spin on my heel to leave, but her touch on my bare shoulder stops me from retreating. I’m not sure I like this side of me, the side that knows what she’s going to ask me and is actually considering how nice it could be.

Is it so awful to want her affection?

“Please wait, Brigid. I think there’s been a misunderstanding.” She drops her hand and takes a step back. “Sorry, I wanted this to be cute, but it seems I’m messing it up terribly. Maybe I should’ve said something sooner, but I only wanted to make yesterday special for you without any pressure or anything.”

I glance back and raise my eyebrows, urging her to speak.

“There’s no easy way to explain this, so I’ll start from the beginning. Do you know why the Royal Dragon Chest is important?”

I flinch, hoping she hasn’t changed her mind about a punishment for my intrusion. “I know it was passed down to each monarch in history, and that its contents were meant to be kept secret.”

“Yes,” she says. “The relics inside were charmed to show each new monarch a truth to help them serve the Dragon Territory.”

“I’m sorry.” I lick my lips as she steps around me to cup my face. “My coven sold the relics.”

“Don’t be sorry.” A claw slides to the soft spot below my jaw. “I opened that box and found you—my mate, my truth.”

My mate. My truth.My heart pounds along with those four syllables in the silence.

“What do you mean?”

“We were meant to be, and while I know you don’t believe in fated love matches, I want to work to show you how good we can be together.” That claw works my pulse point, stroking softly. “If you’ll allow me to court you officially.”

“But what about the ball and naming your mate?” I query.

“I’ll tell them I’m building something strong with my true love, and they’ll just have to wait,” she says. “They can’t argue with fate.”

Her hand is warm and very real when I slip mine into it. That hot touch is the only thing convincing me this isn’t all a dream.

“Then,yes, I want to be courted.” I jump up and down, not bothering to hide my enthusiasm after a lifetime of squashing down my entire personality. “I’ll be your witch for Solstice.”

“I plan to make you mine for all of them.” She lifts her hand toward the ceiling, and I let her spin me into a dance without music, waltzing me beneath the beam where the mistletoe is hanging.

A vision of soup tastings, cake breakfasts, and calm nights curled up together in her cabin flashes in the back of my mind as we kiss. It’s a bright and shining thought that has me looking forward to making memories.

I take her arm as she brings me to a table, set for a private feast. Whatever the future brings, I have a good feeling we’ll be together, merrily.