Page 25 of Of Poison & Pumpkins (Of Witches & Men #3)

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Rynn

T he next evening, I sit at Palooza’s register, glaring over the counter at my sister and her new husband browsing my shop in the dark. I’m too nervous to turn on the lights to broadcast to the cops that I’m awake and available for questioning.

Am I the only one coiled tighter than a spring? They were supposed to be gone already. I hate their laughter and constant touching. It’s nauseating, to say the least. Brooke inspects a violet vase while Noah points to a maroon frame.

The delicious scent of fresh pizza flows into my shop as Elias walks balancing flat boxes on his shoulder. I peel my scarred eyes off their hideous flirting and find comfort in Elias’s warm smirk.

“You look viciously bloodthirsty,” he says quietly, sliding the pizza onto the counter. “But you may want to rearrange your face a little before they come over.”

I stick my tongue out at him. Right when I’m about to take a bite of pizza, someone stumbles on the street outside the window, drawing my attention.

“What’s wrong?” Elias follows my sightline, landing on the same view, Porter swaying and wobbling. As I push back, making the leg of my stool screech across the floor, Elias blocks me. “I’ll get him. Stay here.”

“You’re leaving me with these two?”

“You’ll survive. You are the cat queen, after all,” Elias says, reminding me of our adventure with Maya yesterday.

Elias rushes out the door, into the sunset light that makes his skin shimmer like a god.

It’s not a detail I should be noticing. I sigh and shake my head.

What a disaster. It’s obvious that Elias is trying to ask him questions, but he finally just pulls Porter into Palooza and leads him to a sitting position in the corner.

As soon as Tinsley arrives, we’ll concoct the antidote to use on Porter and the others.

Brooke and Noah join us, arm in arm, apparently summoned by the glorious pizza smell, because I sure as Abyss didn’t call them over.

“Mmmm, sausage is my favorite,” Brooke says, grabbing a slice.

In a strange, creepy way, Noah watches her gobble and chew.

They’re such a strange pair—Brooke, a miniature version of me but ‘brighter’ in all physical features.

Her hair pops while mine fades. Her smile dazzles when mine is forced.

Her eyes shimmer when mine narrow. Then Noah mirrors Elias in so many ways, it’s almost uncomfortable.

The similar posture in which they hold themselves is uncanny.

I hate that the father-son duo has the same intonation in their voice, the same dip of vowels when they speak.

Honestly, I find it disgusting that Noah also slides his hand through his thick hair in the manner I’ve grown to adore when Elias does the same.

This whole situation makes my insides twist with the epitome of disgust. Suddenly, I’ve lost my appetite.

“Let’s get this night started. Who wants a bottle?” Brooke pulls wine out of her tote, one after the other, then twists off the top of a cabernet and chugs.

Elias doesn’t drink, so I check his reaction. I haven’t had the chance to ask if he would want me to remove any. There’s so much we still need to learn about each other.

“Woo! That’s my chica!” Noah slaps Brooke’s ass, then lowers onto another stool. “She’s good at everything, isn’t she? You must’ve loved the competition. I heard you two shared a room growing up.”

Love? No, she obliterated my social life.

Our older brother was never cruel, but Brooke had the tendency to create drama, which hasn’t seemed to change.

Does Noah know Brooke’s age? Or that she is a Nerg?

I gulp, wanting to be anywhere else. Thankfully, Elias wraps his hand around my waist and slowly brushes his thumb over my skin.

The distraction does wonders. Now, if only I can make his touch magically transport me to another place or time, then that’d be spectacular.

“Um, so how did you two meet?” I ask, already regretting the question. A better option would be discussing ways to get them to leave.

“In April, at the Fuzer Ceremony in Meadowcrest.” Brooke gives me a look. “You know how much I always loved supporting our hometown magic.”

Before I can argue, Brooke kicks my shin under the counter. I curse silently and bite my lip.

“Yes, my bumblebee saw what she liked and wouldn’t take no for an answer, isn’t that right?”

I can detect the tiniest cringe from Brooke. Apparently, these newlyweds haven’t exchanged all their secrets yet. Maybe she thinks Noah is rich. But from what Elias has told me, none of the family business was left to Noah.

“At least someone in my family will show tenacity, after all these years of waiting for Elias to man up,” Noah says with a laugh. “You’d think that I’d have something to brag to my colleagues about, but nope, Elias still has some work to do, don’t ya son?”

Elias’s grip around me tightens. I stand and place myself between the two men staring each other down. Every little ounce of my being longs to kick Noah out of my store for eternity.

“It’s too bad you’ll miss the festival,” I say in the sweetest voice possible.

“Obviously you’ve already heard that Elias’s thriving shop will be announced as the leading new small business in Oakmar Times.

Unfortunately, only those with an exclusive VIP pass are allowed to attend, you know, because of all the celebrities that will be in attendance. ”

Noah’s jaw literally drops and his gaze whips to mine.

Next to him, Brooke squirms as she finds something fascinating on my purple tiled floor.

For the first time, I wonder if she’s been forced into this relationship and needs help to escape this rotten joke of a man.

How could someone as wonderful as Elias be created from such a foul monster?

“Oh, and Lias must’ve kept the mayor’s secret about his Medal of Honor he received last month,” I continue, unable to help myself. “Otherwise, I know a man of your prestige would never make such a mistaken assumption.”

“Medal of Honor? What for?” Noah asks, looking down-right furious.

I shrug. “You must have connections with the mayor, ask him yourself. We’re sworn to secrecy, for national security.”

“Bullshit!” Noah slaps the counter and a pizza box soars to the floor.

Out of thin air, Goosie appears to lick at the cheese.

For a moment, all four of us are frozen, waiting for someone to make the first move.

My heart rate drums against my ribs, fast and deadly.

If I’m quiet for too long, Noah might view me as weak.

But if I stand up to him and defend the man I lo—I mean, the man I’m sharing my home with …

“Okay, I’ve had enough.” Elias gestures towards the door. “You can leave now.”

“Naw, that’s not how it works. I’ll go when I’m good and ready.” Noah grabs a slice from the counter and starts munching, eyes locked with his son’s. The tension in the room is thick enough to choke on.

Elias points to the door. “Get. Out.”

“Well, this has been inspiring, but I’d rather finish these bottles outside,” Brooke says, gathering her wine.

“Your town square is so enchanting. I bet I could drink the fountain water and be full of magic.” Before she eases past Elias, Brooke meets my eye and winks.

“By the way, I’ve been dabbling in a bit of witchcraft recently.

Can’t let you have all the fun with magic. See ya ‘round, sis. Or not. Whatever.”

Noah hesitates, glaring daggers. Finally, he stands and snakes past Elias as well, but not before lowering his voice to say, “I doubt you’ll win anything, but if what Rain says is true and you are given an award, you better claim it in the Thoren name.”

“Her name is Rynn. Not Rain.” Elias crosses his arms.

Elias doesn’t stop the door from closing in his father’s face and immediately pulls the screen down. Toxic vibes explode from his aura and his taut muscles strain under his shirt.

“Lias …”

Quickly, he holds up a hand, still facing away. “Gimme a minute, please.”

His hands fist into a ball by his side, then relax.

Clench, then release. I want to massage the tightness out of his body and soothe his soul.

There are no words to erase his father’s damage.

I think back on our moments together when he has been most at ease.

Touch. Physical touch. Whenever he’s most relaxed, his body gravitates towards mine like a magnet, always skimming my hand or brushing my hair behind my ear.

So, I wait until he turns around. Like a bullet to the chest, I viscerally feel the pain reflected in his eyes.

He’s hurting. My man. Patient in the face of ignorance.

Strong even when torn down. Willing to be vulnerable.

And he trusts me, relies on me to be his roots during a tornado, when the wind tries to whip him out of control.

“You’re shivering, Lias.”

“Only because you’re so hot, I’m cold in comparison.”

“Ha. Ha. Ha,” I deadpan.

I rise on my tiptoes and curl my hands around his neck. Nose to nose, forehead to forehead. I want to get this right. Need to show him I care, that I’m here, that I’m not going anywhere.

“You smell like pizza,” I mutter.

“Do you taste like pizza?”

Our lips meet, slow and steady. He does taste like scrumptious pizza.

It brings back a memory of when our science teacher awarded our class with a pizza party during midterms. He gave us each a chance to opt out if we did something embarrassing in front of our classmates.

When it was Elias’s turn, he marched straight to me, a man on a mission, and swiped his thumb along the corner of my mouth.

It came away with pizza sauce and he licked his finger clean, never looking away from me.

The entire class had oooh’ed while my face had turned fiery hot.

I should’ve known then what I know now. Elias isn’t a fairytale prince with multiple fake facades.

Nor a hero atop a pedestal awaiting praise.

He’s just a man, both flawed and gifted, full of magic and imperfections, who looks at me like I’m the rising sun.

And it’s my turn to make him feel as special.

When he stops our kiss and rests his forehead against mine, his entire mood has shifted. “You’re killing me, Sunflower. I need more of you. I’m selfish and may not survive this long game we’re playing.”

This time, the ravenous look he pins me with can’t be misinterpreted. He lifts me from my feet and I instantly wrap my legs around his waist. His pecs are hard against my breasts, a solid wall contrasting with my softness.

“Long game? You catapulted into my life only last week.”

“No, it’s been over ten years. Twelve, to be exact. A dozen long years of wanting this. Wanting you. But I need more.”

He carries me with ease across the shop, passing by the burgundy shadows cast along the shelves. Normally, I’d feel self-conscious if a man were to lift me, but with him, I only feel safe. Hell, I could live in these arms if he let me. Burrow deep against his chest forever.

“Tell me what you want,” I whisper.

When his lips find the side of my neck, I think I’ve learned his favorite spot.

“I want to hear you call out my name when you shatter from my touch.”

“Oh.” A strong quiver travels along my inner thighs, and I clench the muscles where I long for him. I let my lips wander on his neck for a change. “It seems as if I drive you a little wild, hm? What about me undoes your sanity?”

“Everything.” The deep sounds resemble a low purring when I lick behind his ear, then nibble a bit and let my teeth graze. “Mmmm,” he growls. “Where do you want me to touch you?”

“Everywhere.”

He groans, then hurries up the rest of the stairs like a rocket. A squeal flies from my lips as I’m briefly airborne and dropped onto something soft. My mattress.

Standing above me, Elias looks like a desperate man ready to pray or kill. Am I a woman here to be worshiped or annihilated?

Okay, this is happening. Elias peels off his suspenders and shirt. Fuck.

“Wait, put your suspenders back on.” I grapple for them unsuccessfully. “Over your chest.”

“Anything for you, Sunflower.”

I never expected someone putting clothes on to be such a tease. Slower than eternity, he drapes the black suspenders over his bare shoulders and reconnects them to his pants. The way each strap runs down his muscles makes my mouth dry.

He lowers onto his knees, in the most pristine position for me to run a finger along the curves and dips of his chest. Don’t mind if I do.

“Can I?” I ask.

“You never need to ask, love.” He stretches both arms out wide. “Take me. I’m yours.”

My phone pings in the familiar tone that represents Tinsley. Damn it. If it were anyone else, I’d ignore the call, but we’ve been waiting all day to hear from her.

“Sorry.” I roll out from under Elias and snatch my phone from my pocket.

She’s already mid-sentence when I answer.

“ … I only collected three. You’re gonna need to find more.

Forgot to call you earlier … Maya, put that down!

… I’ll give you the location. But it’s in the middle of Enox Forest and may take a while to find the nest if there are a hundred trees in that exact spot, so be prepared.

By the way, we’re downstairs, about to come up, so.

.. wait … what’s that?” She pauses. Muffled sounds come from the background, then escalated shouts. “Maya! Don’t touch the fountain!”

“Tinz? You okay?”

Something clatters, then I hear a scream from the other line.

“Tinsley!!” I leap off the bed and run to the window.

On the street below, in the town square, the lanterns shine an eerie glow on the few pedestrians by the fountain.

People lay at odd angles on the cobblestone, seemingly unconscious.

From the edge of the fountain, purple liquid pours like a waterfall onto their bodies. I scream and scream and scream.