Page 193 of Magical Mission

I cleared my throat and offered the most neutral smile I could muster. “That’s Frank. He’s, uh, lived here a long time.”

“He’s cute in a grumpy-bear-meets-deflated-footstool kind of way,” Celeste said, reaching down to scratch behind his ear.

My dad huffed and blinked at me before flopping his head onto his paw.

I sank into the armchair, finally letting myself breathe.

The food Stella had conjured was nothing short of a miracle, from little mushroom tarts, roasted apple slices with cinnamon glaze, and a tea that smelled faintly of mint and something that might have been hope. Celeste had already claimed three hand pies and was eyeing a fourth. Skye looked more relaxed than she had in months, and the whole room glowed with cozy contentment.

“I can see why you wanted to move here,” Skye said after a long sip of tea. “It’s quaint, calm, and quiet. Honestly, this cottage might be the most peaceful place I’ve ever been.”

I smiled tightly, sipping my own tea to hide the twitch at the corner of my mouth.

Calm. Quiet. Quaint.

If only she knew the pantry whispered sometimes. Or that the armchair would occasionally scoot closer if it thought you needed comfort. Or that there was currently a goblin sneaking past the side window with a pastry in his hand, chased by a wolf trying not to snarl audibly.

“Oh, it’s... something,” I said, biting back a laugh.

Celeste stretched and nestled deeper into the throw pillows. “And the food’s amazing. Please tell me this is your doing.”

“Actually, that’s my friend Stella’s magic—uh,touch.”

“Ilikeher,” Skye said. “She’s got that unbothered, knows-your-secrets vibe. Like she can smell fear... and underseasoned potatoes.”

“Oh, she definitely can,” I muttered.

Celeste laughed and then leaned her head on my shoulder again. “I’m so glad to be home.”

I kissed the top of her head, letting the soft weight of her presence sink in.

“Me too,” I whispered.

Because even if the world outside this little cottage was brimming with shadows and secrets I hadn’t yet untangled, this moment right now was everything I’d fought for.

And even if “quiet” wasn’t what I’d really wanted...

Having them here?

It was exactly what I needed.

Chapter Forty-Five

Getting them upstairs was like guiding two cats who had eaten far too much and wanted to nap in a patch of sun instead. Celeste yawned so wide I half expected her to turn into a dormouse. Skye waddled behind her with a hand on her lower back and the kind of dramatic groan that only comes from growing a small human and carrying it everywhere, all the time.

“I’m not even tired,” Celeste mumbled, tripping slightly on the first step.

I raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been yawning for the last twenty minutes.”

“That’s a reflex,” she said, blinking slowly. “Aesthetic exhaustion.”

I snorted, reaching up to ruffle her hair. “Come on, aesthetic or not, you need sleep.”

Skye puffed up the stairs behind her, clutching the rail like she was summiting a mountain. “If anyone needs sleep, it’sme.I’ve been carrying around a bowling ball with opinions for months. My ankles are the size of soup cans. I swear this baby is building a cottage in there.”

Celeste took one look at the bed and flopped into it like a log, letting out a muffled “Yesssss” into the pillows.

Skye rolled her eyes fondly. “I guess this one’s done for the night.”