Page 15 of Magic & Matchmaking (Moonflower Witches)

Chapter Fourteen

RIVEN

I stood in the clearing of the forest, staring down at the checkered picnic blanket, a basket sitting atop it filled with cheese, chocolate, and wine.

Fairy bugs flitted around us, insects the size of my fingernail with wings that glowed all different colors.

They were well-known for their beautiful wings and their ability to heal wounds.

Many healers captured fairy bugs and ground up their wings into tonics.

It wasn’t a cure for serious illness but could be used for colds, fevers, and minor cuts and infections.

I rubbed my jaw. “Do you think it’s too much?” I asked Draven.

He leaned against one of the tall trees surrounding the clearing. “Yes,” he said.

“You’re right.” I looked at the little checkered blanket. “It’s not enough. She’s not going to be impressed by a picnic blanket and some cheese.”

“You’ve lost it,” Draven muttered. “You like the woman. When you like a woman, you let her know. Then you court her. Then you marry her. And then you have babies. At least that’s what I’ve been told. ”

I snorted. Draven certainly wouldn’t know. He didn’t like anybody. Apart from his sister... his best friend Elm, and maybe me.

I turned to face him as he swatted a fairy bug from his face. “Tell me, when was the last time you told a woman you had feelings for her?”

He scowled.

“That’s what I thought.”

He had many women after him because of his wealth and power, but my friend had no interest in love.

He’d had lovers over the years, but he’d never spend more than a night with them.

He definitely wouldn’t go to these kind of lengths.

I’d clearly brought the wrong person out here to help me.

I should’ve asked Karl, but the orc was having the time of his life in Thistlegrove.

Now that I’d entered into this fake relationship with Emma, he didn’t have to constantly guard me.

He could actually have a life, and he was living it.

Going to the tavern every night, going fishing in Shrubble River, visiting all the many shops Thistlegrove had to offer.

He’d be sorely disappointed when he actually had to start doing his job again.

Which might be soon if Emma rejected me and our relationship was officially over.

Draven shoved off the tree and stalked forward. “It’s nice.”

My eyes widened. “Was that an actual compliment from Draven Darkstone?”

He glowered. “I’ll take it back if you keep harping on about it.”

I held up my hands. “Alright, thank you for helping me set up.” He hadn’t actually done much other than glower at me while I’d done most of the work. “Now I just need to get Emma here and tell her how I’ve felt for the past decade.”

“Sounds easy.” Draven turned, then looked over his shoulder. “Good luck, Riven.”

I was going to need it.

Through the treetops, I could see the pink and lavender sky, which meant Emma should be closing shop and heading home. I knew for a fact that she walked through this exact spot to get to her and her father’s cottage, which meant all I had to do was wait.

I shot a glance at the picnic blanket and started pacing, wondering if I was being a fool.

This could ruin everything between Emma and me.

Decades of friendship gone with one revelation.

But the alternative was worse. I couldn’t do this anymore.

Especially after that kiss. I couldn’t pretend she was just a friend or a fake girlfriend.

I blew out a shaky breath as boots stomped and crunched over leaves. My head shot up just as Emma emerged through the trees. Her gaze bounced between the picnic basket and me.

Her face lost some of its color, and her hand floated to her mouth, horror flashing in her eyes.

Not the reaction I was hoping for.

“I’m sorry, I just need to...” She backed up, bumping into a tree, then turned and ran.

That definitely was not the reaction I was expecting. Shit. I took off after her. “Emma!” I called. “Emma, please, just wait!”

I caught flashes of her dark blue dress through the trees ahead, but she never slowed.

Fuck, fuck, fuck. I hadn’t known if she’d want the same things as I did, but I definitely did not expect her to just turn and run like that.

And damnit, I was not used to running. Bards didn’t exactly have that in their job description. A stitch formed in my side, my legs cramping as I raced after her. Why in the witches’ tits was she so fast?

Finally, her little cottage came into view. A thick, knotted tree stood next to it, leaning over the cottage, its leaves brushing the roof.

Much like the buildings in town, moss clung to the roof, and vines hung down the sides, pink and purple flowers dotting them.

Stone steps led up to the front door, and a little wooden porch stretched around the front of the house.

Emma was just running up the steps and slamming the door as I arrived.

I hunched over, breathing heavily. “Emma,” I said. “Can we just talk?”

She didn’t respond, and I groaned, then made my way up the steps, lungs burning.

I knocked on the door, but she still didn’t answer.

I sighed and leaned my back against the door, then slid down into a seat, still breathing heavy.

So that was it then. That was her answer.

She’d literally run away from my romantic gesture.

It was ironic. I could have any woman I wanted—except for the one woman I actually did want.

My throat grew thick, and I sank my head into my hands. Draven was right. It was too much. It was overwhelming. What had I been thinking? It was the bard in me. All those romantic songs I sang got to my head, and I’d lost touch with reality.

The door swung open, and I fell backward into Emma’s house as she screeched. My head thwacked against the hard floor, my vision growing fuzzy as Emma’s face appeared over me.

Her hands flew up to her mouth. “Riven, I thought you were gone.”

“Nope.” I grunted, slowly sitting up and touching the back of my head, now sore from banging into her floor.

She gripped my arm, trying to help me to a stand at the same time as I tried to yank my arm away.

I just needed to get out of here and get some space.

Then maybe we could talk and salvage our friendship at least. She lost her footing and slammed into me, both of us tumbling back to the ground, her body now flush with mine.

And just like that, I was back in the tea shop, my body pressed to hers, my mouth on hers, my hands gripping her hips.

She squeaked and scrambled off of me. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t trying to do that. I wasn’t trying to do anything.”

I winced at the reminder, pushing myself to a stand as she backed into the wooden kitchen table that sat behind her.

“It’s okay if you want to end our fake relationship,” she said. “I understand.”

I blinked a few times.“What?”

She waved her hands in front of her. “That’s why you’ve been so distant since that kiss. Because you have some woman you’re trying to impress? The picnic I just saw? Who’s the lucky witch?”

Understanding hit me. She thought I was interested in someone else, that I was trying to go back on our deal. And she was upset about it. Relief flooded me, and I almost laughed.

Instead, I took a step forward. “Emma Thorne, are you jealous?”

Her jaw locked. “No, of course not. I’m happy for you. As long as you’re happy. ”

“I am happy,” I said.

“Good,” she said back.

I took another step forward. “Do you want to know why I’m happy?”

“Not particularly.” She raised her chin, and I smiled. “I thought we were friends. Friends tell each other these things,” she finished quickly. “I’m assuming it has to do with this mystery woman you forgot to tell me about.”

“It does,” I agreed.

She swallowed thickly. “You could have just told me about her instead of sneaking behind my back. The tea shop probably senses you’re interested in someone else.”

I took another step forward, close enough now that I could reach out and grab her.

“Well, I can tell you about her now if you’d like.”

Curiosity flashed in her eyes, but she didn’t say anything.

“She’s very pretty,” I said. “The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line.

“She’s also very caring. She takes care of everyone all the time, but she’s not always as good at taking care of herself.”

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing she has you,” Emma said, an edge to her tone that I wasn’t used to.

I ticked off my fingers. “She’s smart. She makes me laugh. She snorts sometimes when she laughs too hard, which she’s mortified by, but I think it’s adorable.”

Emma huffed. “I think I’ve heard enough, and I’ve had a long day?—”

I closed the distance between us, wrapping my arms around her back and bringing her to me. She let out a gasp, and I gazed down at her, running a thumb down her cheek.

“She also happens to be my best friend.”

Her mouth dropped open, then she closed it. Then it fell open again. She did that a few more times before finally speaking. “Me?” she asked. “That picnic was for me?”

I shrugged. “Surprise?”

She let out a laugh of disbelief, then stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to mine, winding her arms around my neck. I moaned in response to her soft mouth. Fuck, I could spend all night kissing her. Tasting her.

She pulled back and cupped my cheeks with her hands. “We should talk.”

That was the absolute last thing I wanted to do with her lips so close to mine, but she was right. I swallowed and nodded. “I know just the place.”