Page 8

X

C lark passes me a small glass jar. Inside, multiple colours of butterfly wings are visible, and I carefully remove a matching pair. Clark’s brow furrows as he watches me.

“First question is this. Do you know if someone harvested these wings from live butterflies or gathered them after death?”

Clark nods his head. “I only use a supplier who doesn’t kill. Everything here that was once living died on its own.”

My shoulders relax, and I smile. “Good. That’s important.” With gentle fingers, I arrange the set of wings on the table. “Killing animals or insects against their wishes to become part of magic tarnishes your intent. Be sure to research that if you intend a spell to bring good.”

Using Clark’s dropper from the bottle, I draw up the rose water and hover over the wings. “Does anyone want to step closer?”

Immediately, everyone leaves their seats and crams around the tiny table. Clark’s heat at my side reminds me of how close he is. He doesn’t touch me, but I know his aura is there. It’s reaching for me like an invisible hand, and rather than distract me, it gives me the confidence to show this to the small group of strangers.

“When the water touches the wings, if there’s thorn juice inside, they won’t keep their colour. If the water is pure rose, the wings will fly again.”

After dropping two drops of the rose water on each wing, I return the dropper to the water and pass my hands over the wings.

“Broken wings soar to the sky. Make me believe with my naked eye.”

Bending low, I puff a breath across the wings. The colour returns to the faded yellow on the swallowtail wings, but they sit motionless and wet on the table.

“So, what does that mean if they don’t fly but still have colour?” Henry, despite his earlier dislike of me, peers closer.

“It means it’s not rose water, probably. Or such a low concentration that it can’t do its job. The best roses for spells must be grown with love and care.”

“How do you know all this?”

Hazel cocks her head, curiosity peaked.

“I went to school and majored in botany.” I don’t need to share that it was a school for witches and how to apply botany to magic. “When I started practicing witchcraft, I applied that plant knowledge to this. So often, potions and spells don’t work because the plants conflict with the intentions of the witch. I believe there would be a lot more magic out there if places like this shop existed. Clark’s rose water may not be good, but his butterfly wings are.” I glance over at the shelves of various jars. “I bet 90% of his product is quality because he’s taken time to source properly and not just jam plastic bones and useless crap at you to make a buck.”

Turning to Clark, I raise an eyebrow. “Am I right?”

“You are, but I didn’t think of the implications of improper ingredients. It was just something I thought was important. To source properly. If the seller didn’t create a quality product, how could it translate to quality magic?”

His lips tilt in a shy smile, and I stand transfixed as his aura glows around him. It’s white and gold, pure and radiant, as he stares at me, and I force myself to look away.

“I’m sorry I took over your lesson and butted in.”

“Oh, gosh, don’t be!” Hazel bubbles over as she smiles at me. “This is probably the most fascinating meeting we’ve had in a long time.” She shoots an apologetic glance at Clark. “No offence. I love our meetings. You do a great job.”

Clark laughs at Hazel’s attempt to soothe his ego and shakes his head.

“It’s okay, Hazel. I’m as thrilled as you. Hopefully, X keeps coming to the meetings?”

Clark focuses on me again, and I know this is a place I never want to leave. Unless it’s with Clark.

“Of course I will. I love teaching people about magic.”

After fielding more questions from the group, the group finally breaks to browse the store.

Clark places his hand on my arm. “Will you stay after they leave? Just for a while?”

His voice is low, and his breath tickles my skin as he leans closer. “I don’t want the night to end just yet. There’s something about you…” Clark lets his words trail off and I lick my lips.

“I can say the same. You’re—”

“Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to ask if you plan to go to the Halloween party in the park tomorrow night?” Hazel beams as she juggles her purchases in her arms. I can see why Clark likes these meetings if they all shop like her.

“Yes, I will. In fact, I planned to ask X tonight if he’d like to join me.” He rushes on. “I’ll tell you about it soon. Don’t answer yet.”

Before I can respond to any of it, he’s at the door wishing his group a good night as they all file out. Louis stacks the chairs to put away and when he approaches the table we were using, I step over.

“Would you mind leaving this up for now? I’ll help Clark clean it up, but there’s something I want to show him before I leave.”

“Oh, of course. I don’t mind at all.”

Louis grabs his jacket from the back room and meets Clark at the door.

“X asked if he could show you something, and then he’ll clean up. I hope that’s okay?”

“Of course, Louis. Have a great night. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Clark locks the door behind Louis and returns to me. He shoves a hand in his pocket when he stops beside the table. His other hand absently slides along the edge of the table. An inanimate caress.

“So, X, Louis says you want to show me something?” He’s back in my personal space, and his closeness almost makes me want to show him something else. The way his gaze travels over my body confirms he’d be okay with that offer.

“I thought you were the shower here and not me?”

He smiles with a quiet laugh. “True. But first, I need you to tell me the truth. Are you really into magic or was tonight an act? Because I need you to be real with me. This is important, and I can’t be involved with someone who doesn’t respect what I do.”

Oh, Clark. I hope you can handle what I’m about to do.

“How real do you want me to be?”

“What do you mean?”

“What if I were an actual witch? What would you do?”

Clark’s forehead scrunches as he thinks about that, and it’s the cutest thing ever.

“Like you’re actually a master of witchcraft or something else?”

Wiping my palms on my pants, I decide this is it. If he learns my secret and decides it’s too much, I’ll walk away right now. I’ll even move on from this town if it’s too much for him. But I don’t believe it will be. There are too many signs for Clark not to be the one for me .

“I’m an actual witch, Clark.” Puffing out a breath, I continue. “When I was twenty-one, my coven kicked me out. For the last five years, I’ve lived in this town with a curse I’ll tell you about later. But I’ve been searching for someone like you for five years.”

Clark chews at his lip, and I know he wants to believe me. We both want this, and it’s a critical hurdle for both of us.

“How do I know you’re not just feeding me this as a lame attempt to…I don’t know, use the store or even get in my bed because you know I’m into this?”

His eyes swirl with emotions I can’t pick out. Maybe hope, definitely disbelief.

“Let me show you.”

Turning to the table, I carefully remove another pair of butterfly wings from the jar and set them up exactly as before.

“Earlier, what I said about thorn juice corrupting your rose water was true.” Placing two drops onto the butterfly wings again, I watch as the vibrant colour returns. “Your water is pure.” Passing my hands over the wings, this time I utter a different phrase.

“Wings be free. Wings be light. Wings rejoin and take flight. Volant! ”

With a soft breath over the wings, I stand back and watch Clark’s reaction as the butterfly wings flutter and come alive. Without a body to attach to, they flap along and spin around the room, almost as if they were working together.

“Of course, they’re not really alive. They’re just wings. But I didn’t want to show that to the group.”

Clark’s mouth hangs open, and I’m not sure how to take his reaction.

“ Subsisto .” With a snap of my fingers, the wings float to the ground.

“My full name is Xavier. This is the best magic I can do. I mostly suck at magic, except for a few spells around the house. But yeah…I’m a witch.”

Clark swallows and looks from the butterfly wings to me and back to the wings now lying on the floor.

“Can you please say something, Clark? I’ve never told another human. Well, except my roommate, but…is this too weird for you?”

“No. It’s…I’m…” He puffs a breath before stepping closer to me. “I’m shocked, but this is probably the second-best thing you could have told me.”

“Second? What’s the first?”

“Yes, when I ask if I can kiss you.”

“Are you asking now?”

His lips lift in a sexy grin. “X, can I kiss you right now?”

“You can kiss me now, later, all night, and in the morning, Clark.”

His eyes search mine, and the little curl on his forehead bobs as he dips his head.

“You won’t turn into a frog with a kiss, will you?”

His lips hover next to mine. “I think you have your fairy tales mixed up.” My shaky hand slides up this chest, and my fingers curl into the soft fabric of his shirt. “No frog. But I can’t promise I’ll maintain my cool.”

Clark’s lips press to mine, and time stops. Zaps and jolts burst through my body like a live wire, drawing a gasp from both of us. Pulling him closer, I open and accept his tongue. My body flares so hot that I push him back. Panting, I stare at Clark. His chest heaves and the high flush to his cheeks likely mirrors mine.

“Holy shit. Was that some kind of magic again? How does a kiss make me feel all…like I’m…” Clark gestures between us and babbles a few nonsense words before stepping forward to cup my cheek. “X…what just happened?”

“I’d say we confirmed we’re compatible.”

He laughs softly. “We’re something, that’s for sure. I wanted you to stay after the meeting because I want to get to know you and…” Clark puffs out a breath, and that cute pink tinge travels up his neck to match his cheeks. “I want to ask you on a date. You’ve invited me for dinner tomorrow, but there’s this Halloween thing Hazel mentioned, and I’d really like you to go. With me.”

He passes his thumb across my lower lip, and my knees quake.

“I’d likely go anywhere with you right now, Clark. To the park, to the store, off a cliff…”

Clark’s lips tilt into a smile. “Off a cliff? That seems drastic. But I’m flattered.”

“When you’ve spent five years of your life reliving the worst day you lived in your nightmares, you turn a little drastic when the person who can help suddenly finds you.”

“How do you know I can help?”

“You were there when you kissed me, weren’t you?” Clark laughs, and I step closer. “That’s only one sign, Clark, but your aura is trying to tell me something else. And…that’s the first kiss I’ve ever had. You’re my first kiss.”

“You’ve never…been with someone?”

“If I promise to explain it all in time, would you kiss me again?”

Clark says nothing, but he doesn’t have to. Instead, he threads his fingers in my hair and tilts my head back, exposing my neck. He teases and kisses along my neck and nips my jaw before finally sealing his mouth over mine.

My entire body presses against him and I wantonly wrap a leg around his waist. Clark loses his balance, and we stumble into a bookcase. His lips smile against mine, but he doesn’t stop, and if we don’t slow it down, I’m likely to end the night begging at his feet. I don’t want that.

Reluctantly, I place a hand on his chest and gently push us apart.

“It’s getting late. I should go home.”

Clark closes his eyes with a sigh of regret. He runs his nose alongside mine and I bury my face in his neck. It’s so…familiar. Comforting. It’s where I belong.

“What time do you want me for dinner?”

His voice is so rough and ragged that I almost change my mind and ask to stay.

“Is six o’clock too early?”

One hand squeezes my ass before running up my leg and unwinding it from his waist.

“It can’t come soon enough. Can I give you a ride home?”

“Thank you, but I brought my broom.” Snorting at the shocked look on his face, I shake my head. “I’m kidding. But my ride should be here already. I’ll text you my address.”

Risking a last kiss, I drop a soft kiss to his lips.

“Thank you, Clark.”

Clark stands motionless as I walk to the door.

“The pleasure is mine, X. I’ll see you tomorrow.”