Page 115 of Magical Mischief

Nova shook her head gently. “Delicate, yes. But stronger than you think. New growth always starts small. That doesn’t mean it’s weak.”

Stella walked over to us at the table. “You two look like you’ve been communing with something otherworldly.”

I laughed softly. “Something like that.”

Mom studied my expression quietly, her gentle eyes searching mine. “Good news?”

“I think it might be,” I replied, unable to hide my smile.

Nova stood slowly, already moving toward the kettle to prepare more tea. “Good news, yes. But news that requires patience.”

Stella snorted affectionately, pulling out a chair. “I don’t suppose patience could mean at least sharing some details?”

Nova chuckled, her eyes twinkling as she poured tea into each mug. “Patience means I’ll share when the water is boiled for our second round of tea, Stella.”

I glanced again toward the window, imagining the Wards slowly breathing life back into Stonewick, a cautious fae carefully stepping into a world that had long forgotten them, and Bella’s laughter echoing down the Academy’s halls. All these tiny, impossible pieces were slowly becoming something beautiful.

Maybe Nova was right. Maybe the town’s wounds really could heal, little by little. And maybe, despite how fragile everything felt right now, Stonewick was ready.

We were ready.

A faint knock at the door made me jump, and I chuckled when I saw Twobble peering into the window with Frank by his side.

“You fill in Stella and my mom,” I told Nova, opening the door.

I stepped outside Nova’s shop and zipped up my coat.

The streets of Stonewick felt reassuringly ordinary. Cobbled pathways led toward familiar shops, cafes, and homes.

Yet everything around me felt subtly different.

Twobble lifted a hand and waved lazily, his greenish-gray skin catching twilight as he squinted up at me.

“There you are,” he called, half-relief and half-exasperation. “We’ve been looking for you for weeks. Frank’s about chewed through half your living room waiting.”

Frank let out a snuffling bark, as if supporting the claim, his thick bulldog body plopping heavily down beside Twobble’s feet.

“Sorry, Twobble,” I said, smiling gently. “I didn’t mean to disappear. But you know how the Academy is.”

Twobble waved off my apology. “I figured you were tangled in something interesting—always are. Just thought we’d come check since Frank was pacing in circles and sighing like a lovesick gargoyle.”

Frank huffed again, nudging his broad head against Twobble’s leg.

“Fine,” Twobble said, scratching behind Frank’s ears with exaggerated patience. “Like a grumpy lovesick gargoyle.”

“I’m back now and should be for a little longer.” But Twobble’s curious expression was already drifting past me to peer suspiciously at Nova’s shop.

“So,” he said slowly, eyes narrowing in playful suspicion. “Care to share whatever it is you four have been whispering about? Or am I not fancy enough to join your magical gossip circle?”

“You’d never let us get away with that,” I said, laughing. “Of course I’ll tell you.”

I glanced back at Nova through the window, who gave me a nod of approval.

I took a breath, bracing myself for Twobble’s reaction. “We think there might be a fae inside the Academy grounds.”

Twobble blinked. Then his mouth opened and closed a few times, his large goblin ears twitching as he processed my words.

“A fae,” he repeated flatly.