Page 66 of Magical Mischief

The shape came into view as a blurred silhouette in the snow.

My chest squeezed.

The group clustered behind me.

Stella’s whisper was the last thing I heard: “Well, darling? Did it work?”

The hazy silhouette in the snow with ears perked and a thick muzzle turned toward me.

It worked. My dad was finally back to his old self again.

A startled laugh bubbled up from my chest as relief spread through me.

“Dad?” I whispered, the single syllable trembling on my lips.

He blinked up at me with those droopy eyes, confusion mingling with a dog’s inherent curiosity, as though checking if we’d done something else ridiculous.

And I… well, I couldn’t hold it in. One moment, I stood stock-still, and the next I let out a little sob of joy and rushed forward, nearly skidding on the snow.

“Dad,” I cried, flinging my arms around his broad bulldog shoulders.

Of course, that meant my entire body crashed awkwardly in the cold slush, but I didn’t care.

He snorted in surprise and gave a muffled bark as my momentum toppled us both sideways. I pressed my face against his fur. Warmth spread through me so fiercely that it stole my breath.

Wrinkly and small.

I squeezed him tighter as happy tears burned my eyes.

Behind us, Stella let out a whoop and Bella whooped. Nova’s husky laugh followed, and I felt a soft exhalation of breath behind me.

Laughing, I leaned back just enough to look my dad in the eyes.

“We did it,” I whispered. “We actually did it.”

I pushed myself to my feet as my dad padded around my ankles, letting out a grunt or two as if shaking off the memory of being the length of a school bus. I half-expected him to run for the woods, but apparently he was content to stay close, as though checking that I wouldn’t vanish.

We should head inside,” I said, noticing how my fingers had gone numb in the cold. “Can’t have him half-freezing out here after all that drama, right?”

My dad barked once, as though in agreement, and trotted after me when I turned to lead the way.

As soon as we stepped into the cottage, warmth enveloped us, and life finally felt like it should.

“At least we can check that off our to-do list. Now you can focus on bigger things… or maybe smaller? Opening the Academy, dealing with Gideon’s curse.”

“It feels closer than ever,” I breathed.

I turned to find Keegan watching me with an unreadable expression. Before I could speak, Stella bustled in, thrusting a plate of bread and cheese into my hands.

“Eat. Spells drain the body, you know.” She looked at everyone. “I put together a cheese platter for you all. It’s on the table.”

I let out a small chuckle, nibbling on the bread.

“Thanks, Stella. I am tired, but it’s a good kind of tired.”

Bella sidled over, a delighted grin still on her face.

“So, now that Frank is all set, are we shifting attention to Gideon again or the Academy?” Bella asked.