Page 75 of Kiss and Spell

You promised Father you’d return once you broke the enchantment. You’re a liar. You gave your word. Is her kiss worth your honor?

Xavier watched Ursula. He’d tell a thousand lies just to stay by her side. He’d laid down his honor just to hold her. Not only had he found his perfect kiss, but he also found something much more spellbinding and dangerous.

He found his fairy tale.

Ways to Get a Wish

Throw a coin in a fountain

Wish on the first star in the sky

Wish on a new pair of shoes before you wear them [Grandpa James]

Things that You Can Wish On

Eyelashes

Ladybugs

Double numbers

May

THIS MONTH’S BIRTHSTONE: EMERALD

Legends state emeralds have calming effects and truth-telling energy. Wear emeralds if you want to tell the truth.

Chapter Twenty-One

How did one court a witch?

Xavier considered taking Ursula to a teahouse but decided that he wanted to do something a bit more personal. He bought her warmed chocolate croissants from Night Sky Bistro for breakfast. They shared them on the bench outside of Light as a Feather, talking about their plans for the week. He spoke to her about his upcoming classes and woodworking books. He listened to her about convincing Mama Caraway to expand the candle business and offer personalized scents to customers. Xavier adored hearing about her plans and goals for the shop.

Ursula brushed crumbs from his body, causing ripples of want to roll through him. He kissed her, then moved to nibble her at her earlobe. He feasted on her breathy sighs until she was trembling on his lap. Then, during her lunch break, he gave her an aquamarine-shaded notebook in case she wanted to write down her to-do lists. She’d rewarded him with a kiss so toe-curling that he almost passed out in front of the shop. He fought the urge to pull her upstairs, strip her bare, and smother himself inside of her body. Being a gentleman was testing his resolve.

“Let me spoil you for once,” Ursula had insisted. She invited him over for a home-cooked dinner at her apartment. He’d changed his clothes three times before he settled on a comfortable outfit.

Now, Xavier stood outside of the Bloom On flower shop, studying the plastic cones filled with half-open roses, huge gerbera daisies, and leaning tulips. He glanced around. The air crackled with new magic. Of course. It was Beltane. Sidewalks and lampposts were covered with cones of fabric and real flowers. Couples and friends strolled arm in arm down the streets wearing daisy and grass crowns. One of them—a fae with a perky smile and sharp eyes—stared at him and gave him a nod of respect. Xavier returned the gesture.

The veil between this world and the Realm was tissue-paper thin. The desire to find the glass fairy door and go over to the Realm for an instant was strong, but not strong enough. Mother loved Beltane and always had the chef cook Faery Sprinkle Cake for the entire Court. His siblings went out with their friends and left him to celebrate the holiday on his own. What was he truly missing over there? Another party that lasted for days or weeks. Being mocked by the Court for his lack of social life.

Ursula was waiting. She’d invited him over tonight for dinner, and he wasn’t going to be late.

Xavier entered the florist shop, breathing in the blooms. The florist behind the counter had bluish white hair, a wide build, and gold eyes that shimmered like liquid.

“Hello,” Xavier said. “Which flowers say ‘I adore you beyond words and thoughts’?”

The florist quirked his lips into a secret smile. “Let’s start with roses and work our way up.”

Twenty minutes later, Xavier left the shop with a large bouquet of pale-yellow roses and big-faced sunflowers. He cradled it gingerly in his arms, making sure not to crush them.

Ursula had texted him that the downstairs door was unlocked, so he came up into the building. He knocked on her apartment door and waited. There was a sound of approaching footsteps and then the door swung open. The scent of fresh lemon and peppered sautéed herbs greeted him along with his date. His date. That thought pleased him to no end.

“Hi,” she breathed.

Ursula wore an apron over her outfit that said KISS THE COOK. Her hair was twisted up into a bun that made her look like a happy pineapple. The smooth skin of her neck was exposed. His brain faltered. Everything about her looked kissable. Edible. Words failed him, so he turned to flowers.

“Hi. These are for you.” Xavier handed her the bouquet.