Page 14

Fourteen

ELSPETH

“ W ho’s ready for game night?” Mama trilled, carrying a tray full of crackers, fresh vegetables, cheese, and Adelaide’s delicious—and secret—veggie dip recipe. She must’ve gotten the ingredients from the market earlier.

I grabbed a carrot stick from the tray and dipped it into the creamy white sauce.

We were running low on coin. Not only would we have nothing to give the woodsmith to fix our cart, but soon enough, we wouldn’t have enough to buy food. We needed to figure out a way to make money—and soon.

But I wouldn’t worry about that tonight. I popped the carrot stick in my mouth. It was our Moonflower game night. We played every month on the full moon.

Prue, Adelaide, and I sat at the kitchen table while Auggie lay sprawled out on the couch.

The fire in the hearth crackled, warmth emanating from it. Mama grabbed her wand and said the spell to light some candles that sat on the window ledges. Fire burst from their wicks, spreading a buttery glow over the room as the sun sank outside .

A knock sounded at the door, and I jumped. “Who is that?”

A mischievous smile spread across Mama’s face. “Oh, I just invited Mr. Kingsley and Mr. Darkstone to join us.”

My mouth dropped open. “You did what?”

Adelaide looked at Mama in horror. “Why would you do something like that?”

Mama rolled her eyes. “Adelaide, honestly. You have to make an effort if you want Elm to know you’re interested in him.”

Adelaide squeezed her eyes shut. Why did Mama always have to meddle?

I clenched my jaw so hard my molars hurt. “Why did you invite Draven, though?”

“Well, he was standing right there this morning.” Mama planted her hands on her hips. “What did you expect me to do, Elspeth?”

“Preferably knee him in the balls and show him that we are a united front in our hatred of him.”

Auggie snorted from the couch, and Prue pushed her spectacles up her nose. “Does this mean game night is canceled?” This was one of the only nights we could pry my younger sister away from her books.

The knock sounded again. Auggie sighed heavily and stood. “I guess I’ll get it.”

She opened the door and there stood Draven Darkstone, his unsmiling face greeting us.

He tried to step inside, but the door slammed behind him, trapping the end of his coat. His jaw locked, and he tugged at it, but the cottage wouldn’t let it go.

I pressed my lips together, attempting to hide my smile. Auggie didn’t even try as she giggled. Mama shot her a death glare. She grabbed a broom that was propped against the wall and jabbed it at the door.

“I’m so sorry about this,” she said, huffing out as she thwacked the broom against the wall. “The cottage can be a little grumpy sometimes, a little shy when it comes to newcomers.”

Draven just sighed heavily, attempting to yank his coat again.

“Now you let Mr. Darkstone in,” Mama said. “Or we won’t clean that filthy tub upstairs. Or your windows.”

The cottage rumbled in response, and the door swung open, releasing Draven .

Mama swiped her arm over her brow, her shoulders slumping in relief.

Draven stepped forward and adjusted his coat. Mama rushed to him and set the broom against the wall. “Let me get that for you!”

She grabbed his coat and yanked it off his shoulders. He had to bend to accommodate her short frame. “It’s stuck. Ooh, quite big muscles.” She patted his biceps.

He cleared his throat, and once again, I had to clamp my mouth shut to keep from laughing at the uncomfortable look on his face.

“This really isn’t necessary,” he said stiffly.

Adelaide watched in horror while Prue looked on, unimpressed. Auggie was bent over laughing.

“Just a little more.” Mama grunted and finally yanked his coat off of him, then looked around, frowning. Probably because there was nowhere to put it. She smiled brightly and marched over to the couch, throwing the coat over the back of it.

I tried not to stare at the white shirt he wore, the way it wrapped tight around his muscles, the way it was unbuttoned just enough so I could see his hard chest, remember the way my hands had been pressed against it when he’d tackled me in his tavern.

“You’re staring,” Adelaide said out of the side of her mouth.

I jolted, looking away as Draven’s gaze swept around the little room. He was probably judging us. The cottage still had dust everywhere. We’d managed to clean all the countertops, the table, the couch, and the floor, but grime still coated the windows and dust covered the sconces on the wall, as well as the rusted cauldron, which we’d managed to drag out of the hearth.

“Is Elm here?” Draven asked, a crease forming between his brows.

Right then, a parchment with wings burst into our cottage, flying to the middle of the room. Mama jumped to catch it, then unfolded the parchment, reading.

“Oh. It appears Mr. Kingsley has fallen ill.”

I watched Adelaide for any signs of disappointment, but her face remained neutral.

Draven’s face lost color. “In that case, I should really go?—”

“Don’t be silly. You walked all this way. You have to stay and play at least one round. ”

He swallowed, looking immensely uncomfortable as he shifted from foot to foot, it made me smile.

“Unless you’re not up for a little competition?” I winced, wondering why I’d just said that.

His searing gaze landed on me. “No.” His eyes didn’t leave my face. “I’m happy to stay.”

“Perfect!” Mama said. “Then let the games begin!”