Page 34 of Curses & Cold Brew (Maple Hollow #2)

RAMONA

D emons aren’t supposed to get butterflies in their stomachs , I told myself as I strode up to Iris’s apartment door three minutes to seven.

One of many rules I seemed to be breaking of late.

I’d been summoned to hell only a couple of days ago in my own mind, but time worked differently on that plane.

It had been weeks for Iris, and I hoped nothing had changed between us while I’d been away.

Given the playful welcome I’d gotten a few hours before, I had high hopes.

But hope had always been my Achilles’ heel.

Nerves coiled tighter in my stomach.

Get your shit together, Ramona. It’s just a date.

But I knew in truth, it was much, much more.

Lifting my hand to knock, I barely touched the wood before it flew open and an unimpressed Jordyn was standing in the doorway.

The near-smile I wore instantly evaporated.

“I’m here for Iris,” I said, panning over her crossed arms to the ring on her finger. “Congrats, by the way.”

“I thought you and I should have a quick talk before you take Iris out.” Jordyn took a step out onto the doormat and shut the door behind her.

“I know this date is supposed to close out your deal, but if you disappear afterward and leave my best friend heartbroken, I will hunt you down and exorcize the shit out of you. Got it?”

Sparks shot out of her fingertips in warning. Whether for effect or out of anger, I didn’t care to be threatened. “If this is your version of the intentions talk, I’d like to remind you that I am a demon.”

“I know that,” she snapped. “But you also needed the reminder about who you’ll have to deal with if you hurt Iris. And the line starts with me.” She leaned in. “And it’s a long fucking line in this town.”

Iris was just as loved as I was by the residents of Maple Hollow, and a relationship in a small town never ended with just the two people involved in it.

A falling out between us would probably result in the fracturing of town lines.

That thought had already crossed my mind.

Would they divide the town up into quadrants if something happened between us?

Would people would wear devil horns or witch hat pins in shows of solidarity?

Seven Hells, I wouldn’t put it past them.

I squared the witch with a look. “Never going to happen. You have my word.”

“Good.” She reached a hand over her shoulder and knocked twice on the door. “Welcome home, by the way.”

The door opened and Iris stepped out next to her friend.

She looked stunning in the sweater I’d knitted for her, a long black skirt with a slit up to her thigh, and a pair of high-heeled black boots.

My jaw dropped. How she effortlessly went from adorable apothecary witch to devastatingly sexy vixen with just some lipstick, mascara, and an up-do was pure magic.

She smiled.

I melted.

“Ready to go?” I asked.

“Have her home by tomorrow night,” Jordyn told me while giving her friend a hug. “We have an engagement party to plan.”

I rolled my eyes but returned Iris’s smile. “Aye, aye, captain.”

Iris took my hand, and we heard Jordyn call down the stairs, “Have fun, love bats!”

In a quick ten-minute walk, we reached Trattoria Occulto.

The owners, part of the local nymph community, knew I had a special interest in expanding the businesses in town, so in exchange for their ongoing success, Iris and I would always have a table.

It was an easy deal. No messy soul brokering this time.

“ Bella serata. Venite ,” Nerine, the owner greeted us at the door, her golden bracelets jangling as she waved us in. “ Benvenuti . We’ve prepared the table you requested.”

“Umm, wow.” Iris looked up at me. “Did you bribe them or something? I feel like I’m in a mafia novel.”

My brow rose. “You think the nymphs aren’t in the mafia?”

Nerine leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, “ Autentica .”

She led us to the farthest corner booth, where two candles sat with a small bouquet of black roses in between.

The decor was a mixture of Roman Gothic and Sicilian art.

Some pieces I’d personally donated from my own collection.

Beautiful stained-glass windows with images of men’s heads on golden platers gave the space a spooky but, in my opinion, elegant feel.

Every table was occupied and there was a line out the door. These nymphs had been perfecting their recipes since the days of Ancient Rome, and since they’d broken ground on the establishment last year, I’d known the restaurant would become an instant Maple Hollow favorite.

“Here are your menus, but we also have a tasting prix fixe that everyone is raving about.” Nerine waited for us to take our seats then offered us two sheets. “Here is the wine list. The pairings were chosen specifically for the chef’s menu.”

“You really outdid yourselves.” Iris beamed up at Nerine. The nymph’s ethereal eyes shimmered with pride. “Maple Hollow has never had a restaurant like this before. It’s gorgeous.”

“ Grazie, tesoro .” Nerine snapped her fingers, and ice water filled our glasses magically as she walked away, leaving us marveling.

“I heard Trattoria Occulta was going to be the talk of the town, but this is next level.” Iris picked up her water and took a sip then focused on me. “Tell me about hell. Other than what you said in your letters.”

“Those were hardly letters. I didn’t even get to tell you about all the wicked things I was imagining about you during those long hours in court.”

She planted her arm on the table to prop up her chin. “Okay, forget hell. Tell me about that instead.”

“How about I show you later?” I offered, reaching into my pocket and taking out the gift I’d brought for her.

Nerves ignited anew as I slid the rectangular, red velvet box across the table.

Iris’s eyes went wide. “What is this?” She didn’t wait for an answer before opening it with a squeal. “It’s beautiful!”

The necklace was made of hellfire-forged gold with a flame queen opal. The flashes of reds, purples, and blues sparkled when she held it up to the candlelight.

“I have something for you, too.” She practically vibrated with excitement as she dug into her tote bag and pulled out a brown paper package. “I had Jordyn wrap it, but I poured the seal.”

I eyed the wax seal over a sprig of lavender. It was my sigil. She’d crafted it perfectly and in doing so made me feel more acknowledged than if she’d used my title or name.

This present was for me in all that I was.

I carefully opened the package around the seal, intending to keep it, as I racked my brain as to what she had thought I, of all people, needed.

After centuries of collecting and curating, there was nothing, aside from her in my bed.

But the moment I lifted the box’s lid, I knew I was wrong.

Inside was a set of beautiful stained-wood knitting needles, a protection spell carved in scrawling Latin up the sides.

And inlaid in silver at the tops were iris flowers.

Tears pricked my eyes. I’d never felt more deeply seen. The gift left me speechless.

“Do you like them? I carved and stained them myself. Though, I did get the wood from Wyatt. He’s been spending a lot of time camping lately and brought back a branch from one of the oldest oak trees in the haunted wood for me, and?—”

I was on my feet and over to her side of the booth before she could even finish her sentence. I pulled Iris into me, pressing my lips to hers. She was stunned for a moment, and she wrapped her arms around me, a hand gripping the back of my neck to deepen the long overdue kiss.

“I’ll take that as approval,” she whispered against my mouth. “I really missed you.”

“I more than missed you,” I said, the knots in my stomach tightening.

All the plans in my mind unfurled, my lips on hers a silent promise that I’d be everything she needed and so much more.

My little witch.

My heart—one I thought would never be so full.

I was beginning to realize that there was more magic in Maple Hollow than just spells and curses. Something that felt a lot more like fate. No deal or scheme would ever feel as satisfying—as perfectly right —as Iris’s hand in mine.

“What are you thinking about?” Iris asked with a knowing smile as I brushed my lips across hers again.

The last vestiges of my control were about to snap, and I was going to splay her across this table of expensive pasta and take her.

I cleared my throat. “Nothing.”

“I’ve been thinking about nothing a lot too,” she said, her fingers pressing tighter into my clothes.

Seven Hells. If we made it through the first course, it would be a miracle.

“So I guess this date concludes our deal,” Iris said, dousing ice on my libido. My gut clenched as her hand mindlessly drifted to her collarbone.

I swallowed thickly. “I suppose it does.”

When I’d called in our deal, I’d told her I was never letting her go. I’d told her I loved her, and she’d told me she loved me in return.

But what if something had changed in the time I’d been gone? Was love not enough? Was this it?

Fear climbed up my throat.

It couldn’t be . . .

Iris took my hands in hers and squeezed, making me meet her gaze. “So I’d like to propose another deal. A trade, really.”

“Oh?” I tried to sound calm even as fear roiled like a storm in my chest.

A soft, nervous smile flickered across her lips. “My heart,” she whispered. “Forever. In exchange for yours.”

Tears welled in my eyes, my hands squeezing hers tighter and tighter as emotions choked my throat. I looked at her with all the promise and reverence she deserved. Her magic was the only kind I’d ever need.

“It’s a deal.”