Page 24 of Cursed by the Love Witch (A Monstrous Holiday #2)

24

THE HIGH WARLOCK

S he’s been down there far too long, his little witch.

Gods, was there ever anyone or anything as beautiful as her? As kind and compassionate and feisty? He’ll never stop being in awe of her. The ease with which she teases him and he teases her back. It contrasts sharply with the male he’s always known himself to be.

She brings a lightness to him—a softness reserved only for her.

They hadn’t made any plans for the future, but surely, she knew that after tonight, they would always be together. When he was finally buried inside of her, her fate would be sealed. Their lives would be bound together for eternity. Wherever she goes, he goes. Besides, opening an apothecary is no easy thing—especially all alone.

He’ll help her in whatever way she’ll allow. The need to take care of her is overwhelming.

Anticipation makes him restless. Minutes trickle by as he remains alone in his bed. What could she be doing down there? He had felt the lace of her panties—his fingers still smelt like her. It does not take her this long to shed her clothes and join him. Perhaps he is just too eager. Yet, as all remains still down below, something prickles his skin.

“Darcee?” he calls. Only silence greets him.

He jumps from the bed and crawls down the stairs to the main floor. She’s no longer there. Nor is she in the kitchen or out in the garden. Could something have happened to her? Had someone broken in and stolen her when he was merely a floor away? It seems unlikely, and yet?—

He’s walking back into the den when he spies it. A lone piece of parchment is tucked under the box of coins he’d given her. Her familiar handwriting spells his name. He snatches it. Dread curdles his stomach as he reads.

“Bael, I’m sure the antidote has worked by now, and you realize what I’ve done. I never meant to slip you that love potion at the equinox. It was a terrible mix-up—one I let go too far. I should’ve come clean that morning in your classroom, but I felt drawn to you in a way I never have before. I’ve come to care for you while knowing what I did. I deserve your disgust—your hatred—and I’m too much of a coward to come clean to you in person. Please find it in your heart to forgive me, but I understand if you cannot. Everything was real to me. I’m sorry. Darcee.”

A love potion? What is she talking about? The wine she gave him had been bitter, no doubt laced with whatever antidote she had given him. The note trembles in his grasp.

He feels no differently about her now than he always has. Is that what she thinks caused all of this? That he’s been under the effects of a love potion, and that’s why he sought her out?

When had she managed to slip him one on the equinox? Even if she had, it’s not like it would?—

He doesn’t have time to dwell on her note. He needs to find her. Now.

Dropping the parchment, he seamlessly transitions into a raven and flies quickly toward her dorm room. The window is shut and locked, but he can see all he needs to from the ledge. Her room is bare, and her bed is empty. He’s a fool for not asking where her dream apothecary was—he’d thought she'd tell him after night.

It matters little. He’ll find her. By any means necessary, his little witch will be his. And once he has her, there will be no doubt left in her mind just how much she means to him.