Page 79 of Magical Mischief

“I’m being observant,” Stella said proudly. “Fox shifters are curious creatures. It’s all mischief and flirting until someone gets kissed under a full moon, and then a million cubs start frolicking under the trees.”

I groaned and glanced toward the front door. “Please don’t say that when he walks in.”

“Well, the whole thing is irritating because it’s you he should be pining over and vice versa.”

“I don’t have the energy or the ability to pine over anything, Stella. I just got divorced, and I’m finally doing things I want.”

As if summoned by the universe, and perhaps Stella’s wicked sense of timing, the door opened with a gust of crisp winter air.

I had barely settled into the worn armchair by the fire when Keegan stepped inside and shook off his cloak as droplets of water rolled off him.

His eyes instantly found mine. “Maeve, is everything alright?”

“Speaking of foxes,” I muttered into my tea.

Keegan arched a brow. “What’s that?”

I shook my head, feeling my cheeks warm. “Nothing. Where’s Bella?”

Keegan shook his head. “Beats me. She said something about checking out the forest paths before dusk. She vanished before I could stop her. Are you still thinking of heading to the Academy?”

“I am.”

He gave a small nod, all quiet strength and broody gaze. “What’s on your mind?”

I rose from the chair. “I was hoping we could talk… privately.”

Concern flashed briefly in his expression but was quickly replaced with warmth.

“Of course.”

We moved together toward the small kitchen table nestled by the window, the scent of rosemary and lavender drifted from bundles hung overhead. I assumed once spring came around, it would be my job to collect the herbs from the garden and ensure they were dried.

Keegan took a seat, but his eyes never left mine as I pulled out the chair across from him. The steady rain drummed against the roof, filling the brief silence before he finally spoke.

“So much for snow,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s been a warm January.”

I nodded, wondering how much small talk we should do before I told him my concerns. “It’s hard to believe we’re already in a new year.”

He leaned forward and never took his eyes off mine. “What is it you wanted to talk about?”

“Something happened, Keegan. Something I haven’t been able to share until now.”

“What is it?”

I drew a deep breath.

“Before my mom arrived, Gideon placed a vision in my head.”

“Of what?”

“My mom being back here in Stonewick,” I confessed. “It happened that night when we got my dad back.”

“When you two were sharing a bond,” he said flatly.

“I’ve been so cautious about believing anything he allowed me to access in his mind, but this is too big a coincidence, don’t you think?”

Keegan’s eyes narrowed slightly.