Page 23 of Magic & Mochas (Tales of Love & Lore #1)

Thorne

T he warm sunlight flickering across my face woke me. When I blinked open my eyes, I froze, hardly daring to breathe. Next to me, her face softened in sleep, was Clove.

Last night had been so perfect that I had nearly convinced myself it was just a dream—that when I woke up, I would be alone. Just like always.

But there she was, her chest rising and falling with each breath. Her long, dark hair was splayed over my pillow. Impulsively, I lifted a lock of it, letting the silky strands slip through my calloused fingers.

I lay there watching her for a few minutes, marveling at the beautiful witch who had brought light back to my world of darkness.

I couldn’t help but smile. For the first time in my life, I found myself imagining what it would be like to build a future for myself.

A future with her. One filled with the smell of coffee and the sound of easy laughter.

With slow, cozy days and magical, starry nights.

An ordinary life, with an extraordinary woman.

I glanced at the clock on my bedside table, grimacing when I saw the time. My extraordinary woman would definitely give me an earful if I didn’t wake her up in time to open the shop. But maybe I could let her sleep just a little longer if I got things rolling.

Silently, I summoned one of my shadow soldiers, and commanded it to begin doing her usual opening procedures: Counting the cash in the register, setting up the tables and chairs, turning on the lights, etc.

If the locals became accustomed enough to them, then I might even be able to have them work as baristas for her during the day.

I stole a few minutes more in bed, savoring her warmth, and the peaceful expression on her face.

She had been so brave last night, standing up to that moron of a warlock and his mistress in front of everybody like that.

I was proud of her. But it was a pity she hadn’t gotten to see everyone’s reactions to her Aurora Avocado—er, Affacato?

Affagato? I rolled my eyes at myself. To her ice cream coffee concoction.

At least we would have the chance to see their reactions at the ball next year.

As quietly as I could, I swung my legs out from under the covers and eased out of bed. Despite my near-wraithlike silence, Clove stirred, frowning and mumbling.

“Go back to sleep, love,” I murmured, leaning over her and kissing her lightly on the forehead.

Her troubled expression smoothed, and Clove’s breathing evened out once more. I smiled to myself.

I donned my robe and padded out of my bedroom and down to the shop. My shadow was doing a good job getting everything ready. I did a double-take when I glanced at the front door, and spotted the kitsune girl—Kana—peering into the window, a box propped against her hip.

I had completely forgotten she always delivered her fresh pastries early. Striding over to the door, I unlocked it and motioned her inside. “Good morning, Kana. How you get up so early every day is a mystery to me.”

“Morning, Thorne,” she said with a chipperness that made me feel tired. Her blue eyes looked me up and down in an appraising fashion, and she gave me a sly grin. “So, how is Clove doing this morning?”

I blinked. “What makes you think Clove is here, instead of at her parents’ place?”

Her foxy grin stretched wider, and she chuckled. “After the way you princess-carried her out of the castle like her dark knight in shadow armor? Please. Give a girl a little credit.”

I felt the tips of my ears grow warm, and cleared my throat awkwardly. “Clove is still sleeping.”

“Good. She deserves some solid rest.” She nodded to herself, not looking at all surprised, and set the box down on the counter. She glanced at my shadow soldier, but didn’t seem bothered by it in the least. “I brought over chocolate cupcakes today—her favorite.”

Kana gave me a wink.

“Thank you. I was going to make her a mocha in bed, and I might just have to bring her one of your cupcakes,” I admitted.

“That is a marvelous idea. You can never have too much chocolate, after all.” She headed back to the door, and said, “I’ll stop by later to spill all the tea to Clove about what happened after you two left—and how big of a hit her dessert was.”

And with a little wave and a swish of her tails, she practically skipped out the door and back to her bakery. I chuckled to myself. She was quite the character, that one.

Turning back to the counter, I took her box and pulled out the cupcake that had the most frosting, setting it aside for Clove. I then instructed my soldier to carefully place the rest of the cupcakes in the display case while I set about making her mocha.

I made sure to craft it exactly the way she liked it, and topped it off with a generous amount of whipped cream and a sprinkling of chocolate shavings.

After whipping up a little something for me, too, I set everything on a little tray and carried it up the stairs, being extra careful not to spill a single drop.

I lingered for a moment by my bedroom door, just savoring the sight of her. On silent feet, I padded over to the bedside table and placed the tray there.

“Good morning, love,” I murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “It’s time to wake up.”

“Mhmm,” she moaned, before rolling over and promptly going back to sleep.

I laughed, then grabbed the cupcake and held it under her nose. Her eyes flew open, and Clove stared at the pastry in bewilderment. “Chocolate?”

I put the cupcake back on the tray, and set it on her lap after she sat up. Clove looked up at me with those big turquoise eyes of hers with an expression that bordered between surprise and happiness.

“You made me breakfast?”

“Well, if you can call a cupcake and a mocha breakfast,” I said as I climbed back into bed, my own mocha in hand.

Clove smiled so widely that even her eyes seemed to sparkle. “I call it the breakfast of champions!”

“Glad to hear it. Though I can’t take all the credit—Kana brought the cupcakes by earlier,” I admitted.

“Wait, what time is it?” Clove froze, her head whipping around until her eyes landed on my clock. “Oh no, is it that late already?! I have to get ready to open the shop!”

I put my hand over hers before she could jump out of bed, and she stilled immediately.

“Clove, relax. I have one of my shadows doing all of the opening procedures right now. Finish your cupcake first, and then you can take your time getting ready. Besides, after last night, I highly doubt anyone will be hauling their butts out of bed until at least ten.” I rubbed soothing circles into the velvety-soft skin on the back of her hand.

“Really?” Her eyes went round as she met my gaze. “You did all that for me?”

How little had Rasmus done for her that something so simple impressed her like this?

“Really. And you’d better get used to it, because I’m not going anywhere. After my three months are up, even that sour-faced centaur won’t be able to kick me out of here.”

Clove leaned over and pecked me on the cheek.

“What was that for?” I asked, my voice taking on a husky edge that had Clove’s cheeks turning that adorable shade of pink.

“For staying,” she answered simply.

A whole party of adventurers wouldn’t be able to tear me away from this place now. I was well and truly smitten.

“Would you like to stay? With me?” I had molded a wisp of shadow into a key. “Though this is technically your apartment, after all.”

Clove grabbed my face and pressed her lips to mine. “Yes,” she breathed, and rested her forehead against mine. The aroma of chocolate perfumed the air between us.

I slid my hand into her hair, and kissed away the rest of the frosting that lingered on her lips.

She melted into my touch, and if she had been a cat, I think she would have been purring.

Hopefully, her familiar would get used to me eventually.

But I was confident I would win him over—no matter how many cups of whipped cream it took.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up. “I just got the best idea for a new drink to add to the menu!”

I chuckled, leaning back. “Oh? And what would that be?”

“I think I’ll call it the ShadowSpice Latte.” She got that dreamy look in her eyes she always did when she talked about coffee. “Inspired by my very own shadowmancer. Will you help me perfect it?”

“I would love to.” I laced my fingers through hers, as she went back to inhaling her cupcake and mocha.

I took a sip of my own mocha and hid my grimace.

I had never liked coffee. The bitter flavor was just not something I enjoyed, even masked with vanilla or chocolate or pumpkin spice. But I had the feeling I would eventually grow to love it, too.

Because the magic I had found with Clove was more than worth putting up with drinking a mocha every day for the rest of my life. In fact, I would be happy to, if it meant staying right here by her side.