Page 19 of Enchanting the Alpha (Mystic Hollow #1)
NINETEEN
R omi cleared her throat and told herself to calm down. “Uh…well, I just think we share our town and we’ve all lived with each other for so long. Why does it have to be so awkward? The younger generations are for more integration, but some of the elders really hate the idea of mixing witch magic with shifter power.”
He gave a predatory grin that made her knees weak. “Maybe they know that if shifters and witches procreate, we will create stronger beings.”
She snorted. “I don’t doubt it for a second. But they need to get with the times. Interspecies, interracial, and inter-whatever mating is normal these days.”
He leaned closer into her, invading her personal space and making the air evaporate from her lungs. “Perhaps,” he whispered with that gravelly alpha commanding tone that promised all kinds of wicked things, “we should try it first. See what happens.”
She licked her lips and blinked, unsure what to do. Flirting with him when he seemed aloof and somewhat distant was one thing. Flirting with him when he was clearly ready for it and willing to flirt back was like jumping into shark-infested waters with a paper cut.
“That’s…that’s something to consider.”
He cupped her cheek and rubbed his thumb over her chin. “Consider it.”
She jumped to her feet and tried to tamp down the nerves. “Let’s keep going.”
As sunset approached, they made their way to the Twilight Markets. Floating lanterns cast rainbow light across cobblestone streets as magical vendors displayed their wares. Street performers created dazzling shows with enchanted instruments and dancing lights. Xabir kept her close, his hand resting possessively on her lower back, thumb occasionally stroking patterns that made her magic surge.
“Over here!” Romi tugged his hand excitedly, pulling him toward a vendor selling enchanted ice cream. Their fingers laced together naturally, and she tried to ignore how right it felt.
“One scoop of happiness, coming up!” The vendor, a jolly wizard with a beard that formed and reformed into animal shapes, handed them each a cone that sparkled with magic.
Romi’s first taste flooded her with pure joy - sunshine and laughter and the feeling of flying. But her second bite tasted different... like possibilities and anticipation and the flutter in her chest when Xabir smiled. Like the heat that sparked between them with every touch.
“What do you taste?” she asked, catching him watching her again with that intense expression.
He took another bite, considering. “Hope,” he said finally, his free hand coming up to brush a stray curl from her face. “And something that feels like... home.”
The simple honesty in his voice made her heart skip. She squeezed his hand, and he pulled her closer, tucking her against his chest as they watched a group of young witches practice levitation spells with sparkly results.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “For today. For... everything.”
He turned to face her fully, one hand cupping her cheek. The touch sent sparks of electricity dancing across her skin. Her magic responded to his alpha energy, creating a soft golden glow around them.
“Romi...” The way he said her name made her shiver. His thumb traced her bottom lip as he leaned closer, his intent clear in his darkening eyes.
A burst of wild magic from the young witches’ practice session showered them with rainbow sparkles. Romi couldn’t help laughing, especially when she saw some had landed in Xabir’s hair, making the powerful alpha look oddly festive.
To her delight, he laughed too - a real, genuine laugh that transformed his entire face. Her breath caught at the sight. Oh, she was in trouble.
But as he pulled her close again, his eyes soft with something that looked suspiciously like adoration, she decided some kinds of trouble were worth risking everything for.
“May I?” he asked quietly, thumb brushing her cheek.
Instead of answering, she rose onto her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his. His arms tightened around her waist as he deepened the kiss, and her magic sang, creating tiny fireworks that danced around them like fallen stars. He tasted like enchanted ice cream and possibility, and something uniquely Xabir that made her head spin.
When they finally parted, both slightly breathless, Romi noticed the nearby lanterns had shifted to heart shapes and were giving off pink sparkles.
“I didn’t do that,” she said quickly, though she couldn’t seem to move away from his embrace.
Xabir’s laugh rumbled through his chest where she still pressed against him. “I did.”
She pulled back just enough to stare at him. “You did?”
He shrugged, looking almost shy though his eyes still burned with intensity. “You make my magic... unpredictable.”
“The mighty alpha admits to losing control?” She grinned, sliding her hands up his chest to link behind his neck. “I’m honored.”
“I’m the honored one.” His eyes sparkled with humor as he leaned down to capture her lips again.
They spent the rest of the evening exploring the market, stealing kisses between magical displays and sharing heated looks that made their magic create unexpected effects. Every touch felt like possibility, every smile like a promise of more to come.
And if their magic kept creating heart-shaped sparkles everywhere they went... well, neither of them seemed to mind.