Page 21 of Magic & Matchmaking (Moonflower Witches)

EMMA

“ R iven, are you sure we have time to stop by the tea shop?” I asked as we walked along the street toward the familiar beige and green awning.

The sun was already sinking in the sky, and I still had so much packing to do. We were leaving early tomorrow morning to set off toward the human lands and to start Riven’s tour.

“I still need to pack my dresses, my shoes, my wand.” I ticked off my fingers.

“So basically everything,” Herman said as he flew beside us.

I shot him a look, then turned my attention back to Riven. “I stopped by Steeped in Love earlier today and said goodbye to Layla. She’s already got the place up and running.”

“And it hasn’t tried to kill her,” Herman said brightly. “It’s so refreshing being able to nap without worrying about being impaled.”

Riven held my hand, leading me toward the shop. “I just thought we might want to pick up some tea leaves for our travels. You know nothing can compare to Steeped in Love.”

That was true. It would be nice to have a few tins for the road, a little reminder of home .

We got closer, and the inside of the shop was dark. Layla must’ve closed early today.

“It doesn’t look like anyone is here,” I said as we approached the door.

Riven let go of my hand, turning the handle and pushing the door open. “I don’t think Layla will mind if we slip in.” He nodded his head toward the dark interior.

I planted my hands on my hips. “We can’t just go into a closed shop and steal tea.”

“You owned this shop,” Riven said.

“Oh, just get inside.” Herman used the tip of his nose to push me forward, and I stumbled into the shop.

“Surprise!” a chorus of voices rang out, all the sconces and candles alighting at the same time, making me jump.

My father, Morty, Layla, Althea, Draven, and many of my patrons stood inside the shop. My mouth dropped open, and tears sprang to my eyes at the thoughtful gesture.

“We wanted to throw you a goodbye party.” My father strode forward, kissing me on the cheek. “It was Riven’s idea.”

I glanced up at him. He smiled, dimples appearing. “I thought it was only fitting. A proper sendoff.”

“Yes, yes, now where’s the cake?” Herman flew over our heads, gaze swiveling back and forth.

“It’s on the counter.” Morty pointed her wand at the dragon. “But Emma gets the first slice.”

I turned to my father as everyone broke off into their own conversations, Riven still by my side. “I’m going to miss you so much.”

“Oh.” He waved his hand. “You’ll be back in a few months, and then I’ll be coming to visit you. I can’t wait to hear all your stories, your adventures.” I hugged him tight as Draven approached and clapped a hand on Riven’s shoulder.

“I’m afraid I have to go. I need to get back to the tavern before the evening rush. But I wanted to say safe travels, my friend.”

“We’ll see you again soon,” Riven said.

My father raised a finger. “Ah, Draven, I have all the paperwork ready for you to adopt your dragon. ”

My eyes bugged out of my head. “You’re adopting a dragon?”

“Oh wonderful.” Herman’s lips peeled back from his teeth, which seemed like the equivalent of a dragon smile. “Which of my siblings are you adopting?”

“It’s not for me,” Draven ground out. “It’s for my little sister. She could use a companion to keep her out of trouble.” He tipped his head at my father. “I’ll be by tomorrow.”

He nodded and with that swept out of the shop.

I watched as he walked down the street. “I don’t know how you’re friends with him.” I turned to Riven. “You’re so... cheerful, and he’s so...”

“Not cheerful?” Herman suggested as he dove over us and landed on a table nearby.

Riven laughed. “That’s just Draven. He’s been through a lot. Things he hasn’t told many people about, and it’s affected him.”

“Maybe he needs to visit the tea shop for a matchmaking night,” Herman said. “If anyone could use some love in his life, it would be Draven Darkstone.”

My father coughed.

“Good luck with that,” Riven said. “A matchmaking event is the last place Draven would ever set foot in.”

From across the room, I spied Morty staring after Draven, a spark glinting her eyes. Morty might have been ready to retire from owning the tea shop, but I didn’t think she was done matchmaking. I glanced at Draven stalking away.

In fact, I had a feeling she’d just chosen her next target.

My father turned, speaking with another witch about one of the creatures he’d just brought in—a bat that drank human blood—while Herman flew suspiciously close to the cake, sneaking glances behind him.

Morty approached, a wide smile on her face. “Well, well, I knew you’d make the right decision.”

“About what?” I crossed my arms.

She waved her hand. “Your life, of course. You were always meant to leave Thistlegrove. You just needed a little push in the right direction.”

I stilled. “What does that mean? ”

“Oh, I knew if you got out of your comfort zone, you’d get a taste of freedom and want more. Add in a fake relationship that quite frankly was never fake, and voila.” She spread out her arms.

It took me a moment to understand what she was saying. “You orchestrated this whole thing?” I gestured around me at the shop.

She gave me a knowing smile. “You’re welcome.”

Riven’s mouth hung agape.

“Morty, do you know how many times this shop tried to kill me?”

“Oh, that’s a little dramatic, don’t you think?” she asked. “It’s rough around the edges, but there has been no recorded murders in this shop since it was built.”

Riven cleared his throat. “Why go through that whole elaborate scheme? Why not just talk to Emma?”

Morty snorted. “Would she have listened?”

I still was having a hard time processing this. “So the tea shop doesn’t care if its owner is interested in love? You made that up?”

“Made up is such a strong accusation.” She twirled her hands. “I exaggerated the truth a little.”

I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe Morty did that.

“We’ll miss you, Emma.” Morty winked. “Also, thank you for helping my niece gain the confidence she needed to take over. I knew she’d be a perfect replacement for me.”

With that, she sashayed away, leaving me in shock.

“Can you believe that?” I asked Riven.

“From Morty?” He bobbed his head back and forth. “Yeah, I can. Besides”—he leaned down and kissed me—“it kind of worked out in the end.”

“Kind of?”

“Well, the real test starts when we leave tomorrow. I’ll give my final verdict then.”

I shoved him, but he just laughed and held me tighter. Morty might have been eccentric and definitely crossed several lines with her scheme, but Riven was right. It worked out. Better than I ever could’ve imagined.