Page 45 of Kiss and Spell
Xavier gave her a caring glance. “They’re flourishing. Sunlight, water, soil, and love. The last ingredient tends to be the most difficult one to source.”
He moved away from the plants and came into the kitchen. “I’m sorry to come over so late.”
She stayed by the stove. The water wasn’t even boiling yet, so she had time. “It’s okay. I was already up.”
“I would’ve gotten you chocolates, but I didn’t know which ones you like.”
“Caramel,” Ursula said. “I like the ones with caramel.”
“I’ll remember for next time.” He said this very studiously, as if he would be quizzed about her likes and dislikes later.
“Would you like the grand tour?” she asked.
“Lead the way, Madame.”
Ursula brought Xavier over to the main living area. It was odd having him over. She hadn’t had much company since she moved in last fall with the few items she’d taken from her former life. But this apartment was filled with touches of witchy goodness that she’d reclaimed in the aftermath of her disastrous engagement. Apothecary vases from the Winter Market were arranged among half-melted candles. Crystals lined her bookshelf, which held everything from anime fairy-tale collections to zodiac lore. He examined the small grouping of stones with wide eyes.
“Excuse me, Your Highness.” Ursula wiggled her fingers at him. “Don’t ogle my crystals too much. I have to charge them soon.”
He angled himself toward her and quirked a brow. “It’s in my nature to be dazzled by pretty things. I can’t help it.”
There was a playfulness in his voice that unnerved her a bit. When he mentioned pretty things, Ursula had a sneaking suspicion that he was also talking about her. The teakettle whistled loudly. She went over to the kitchen, shut off the burner, and poured the hot water into the mug. Ursula grabbed the squeezable honey bear bottle, popped the top, and drizzled honey into her cup.
“Your necklace is malachite, right?” she asked.
Xavier reached up and touched the pendant. “You’re good. It is. My sister Prim told me it would help me be successful in my goals.”
She capped the bottle, getting honey on her fingers. “It’s a good stone. It gives you insight so you can grow into the person you need to be.”
“Can you tell me anything else about it?” he asked.
Ursula moved to stand next to him, leaving her tea to cool on the counter. “Some legends say malachite is a traveler’s stone. You can use it to locate the wearer no matter where they are.”
Xavier pointed to the row of gilded books. “I see you like stories and legends, especially fairy tales. The spines are cracked and worn from repeated reading. You have a few ones missing.”
Ursula nodded. There were a few books she couldn’t bear to keep once she realized her wish wasn’t coming true. She gave them away along with her wedding dress and all her plans.
“I was an English minor in college. I loved studying folklore and folktales.”
“I didn’t think you’d like fairy tales,” Xavier said. “Witches get a bad reputation in those stories.”
Ursula laughed as Nana’s words echoed in her mind. Don’t feel bad for the witch, beach baby. Everyone fears and respects the witch because of what she can do with just her words. She’s in charge of her fate. How about that?
“Reputation can’t make up for character, Your Highness.” Ursula faced him. “Besides, what’s wrong with being bad?”
She held up her hand and distractedly licked the honey from her fingertips.
He watched her closely, as if eager to answer the question she posed.
Xavier was here. Alone. With her. Suddenly she became super aware of the situation. This wasn’t right. She shouldn’t flirt with him. He was desperate for a spell-breaking kiss, and if Ursula wasn’t careful, she might offer him hers. Even after she’d sworn off fairy tales. Even after she knew the truth about how he felt about love. The longer she stayed around Xavier, the more she put her heart in danger of truly falling for him. The prince was looking to break his curse and return to the Realm. Nothing else. Nothing more.
She cleared her throat. “Is there anything else you want to discuss, Your Highness?”
He put his hands behind his back and stood to his full height. “It’s none of my business, but I wanted to know—what or who made you believe in love?”
Ursula picked up her teacup and sat down at the small table. She extended her hand and wordlessly invited Xavier to join her. His long legs stretched out before him when he took a seat.
“I learned how to love from my mama’s family,” Ursula said finally, after an extended moment. “My Caraway grandparents and my mother’s family treated love like air. It’s given freely and without conditions. It’s passed from generation to generation, and it’s in our blood. I mean, I’m loved and cared for by people whose names I don’t know but whose magic flows in my veins.”