Page 24 of How Not to Hate Your True Mate

The big moment arrives. It doesn’t feel real. An unlit candle waits for me. All I need to do is light it to start the ritual.

“Come on, Josh,” Bane says from behind me. “You can do this.”

I shift my weight, staring at the assortment of crystals spread out on the table. “Can I, though? How did you talk me into this? How do you even know?”

“Instinct,” he says. “Maybe it’s because I’ve lived here around magic all my life or my senses are sharper, who knows? Why does it matter? I’m sure about this.”

“Can you sense magic with everyone?”

“No.”

“Then why me? How sure are you? Do you really think…”

“I believe in you.” He steps closer, voice steady. “You just need to believe in yourself.”

The words hit me harder than I expect, making me feel like I can do anything. Maybe even magic. My mate believes in me. His presence next to me is surprisingly comforting, his steadiness helping my nerves settle. If Bane of all people can comfort me, then being a witch doesn’t seem so crazy.

Maybe anything is possible.

Maybe I need to start putting more faith in myself. With the right attitude and a little luck, who knows what I’m capable of?

My fingers tremble slightly as I strike the match. The tiny flame flickers to life. Here goes nothing.

~

Josh

A small sprig of chamomile hovers in midair, twirling lazily like a leaf caught in a gentle breeze.

“You see that, right?” I whisper. “You see it floating?”

“Dude, for the hundredth time, yes.”

Bane already suspected I had magic. Maybe this isn’t as earth-shattering for him as it is for me. I can’t tear my eyes away from the herb. I’m the one making it float. With magic!

My powers were hiding deep inside and have finally surfaced. It takes some getting used to.

I have magic. I’m a witch. With magic!

When I concentrate, a few gemstones join the chamomile in the air, floating in front of us.

“Do you see—”

“If you ask again, I’m going to punch you.”

I glance over at Bane and my heart stutters. He’s standing close, just a few feet away, his golden eyes wide with undisguised wonder despite his gruff tone, tracking the lazy dance of the floating objects. He’s beautiful and excited, and I put that expression on his face.

My mom has disappeared somewhere. It’s just the two of us in the quiet store.

“You were right,” I whisper.

But he doesn’t gloat. For once in his life, he’s not cocky. He only smiles at me. “You did it.”

“Thank you. If you hadn’t told me—”

“Come on, you did all the work. I just told you to try again.”

Wow, that’s even more shocking than my new powers. Bane declines the credit, not taking the opportunity to stroke his own ego.