Page 18 of The Nowhere Witch
“It’ll be… I mean, it’s good. It’s a good place. I’ll figure something out with the dust bunny. I’m sure we can come to terms somehow.”
It did another pass, as if marking its territory.
“Before I forget.” He reached into his jacket pocket and extended his arm, holding out a book. “Housewarming gift.”
“Thanks.”
He shot to the door.
“Where are you going?”
“The dust is killing me. You can stay at my place, but I’ve got to get out of here. I think I’m allergic.”
I waved him off. I couldn’t live with him forever. I’d make it work, somehow.
The dust bunny shot past me again.
“Now you’re just showing off,” I yelled at it.
8
A bead of sweat dripped down my face as the stove kept blasting out heat, and my couch had turned out to be the only hugger in Xest. I must’ve missed hugs or something, because there was nothing about this in the magic book.
“I promise I’ll come back and sit with you later, but you have to let me up.”
Finally, the couch relented and I made it over to the stove.
“The room needs to be cooler,” I said, flicking my hand toward the wood stove.
The fire went out completely. Not what I was hoping for, but I’d relight it after it was no longer a sauna in here.
At least the cocoa I’d set in the corner was gone and the dust bunny hadn’t streaked a path across the place in hours.
I held up the new cocoa I’d just picked up. “Remember, if you want the cocoa to keep coming, you do your dustingoutside.”
A small chirping sound came from the vicinity of the corner. I took that to be an agreement as I placed the cocoa down.
Now that the place was swept, I picked up Zab’s housewarming gift.
The Handy Dandy Witch’s Guide to a Happy Home by Matilda Marilda Hapilda
Furnishing Your New Home
There’s nothing more unattractive than a home filled with new items. In this chapter, we’ll take you step by step through how to create well-worn and previously loved furniture from scratch. With a few flicks of your wrist, a couple of words, you’ll be on your way to a beautiful home, the envy of any witch and wizard, filled with items that look like they’ve been passed down through your family for generations. And remember, if something appears too new, you can always reabsorb the magic and start again. Don’t settle for anything less.
I read the instructions. A couple of flicks of the wrist and a couple of chants and I’d hopefully have an apartment full of furniture. I scanned it all the way to the bottom, where there was the tiniest print possible.
Not guaranteed to work, especially for lower-level witches. Not guaranteed to last, especially for beginners. Spell only as good as the caster. Can’t guarantee spells work for protectorates. We hold no responsibility if you use up all your magic on home décor.
Even in Xest, they covered their ass. Did people even sue here, or did they just turn you into a toad if they got mad?
Whatever. I needed a couch and didn’t have that many coins yet. I’d take my chances, Matilda.
Mind focused, wrist flicking, chants flowing, I gestured toward the wall.
Whoa. I had a couch. It was a strange, tweed-looking fabric, a blend of greens, blues, and hot pink, but it was a couch and definitely worn. I took a few steps toward it and gave its cushion a press. Felt decent enough. I turned to sit, and a puff of dust shot up. Must have spooked the dust bunny.
There was a clucking noise.