“One!” Root shouts, and the assembly hollers their excitement.
“What was that about?” I whisper to her as she saunters back to her seat.
Blossom’s smile is pure cockiness, the expression tightening my groin.
“You’ll see.”
Root clears his throat, gaining the attention of the murmuring crowd. “If you would be so kind, Mayor Nightson, please describe the flavors for us all once you’ve taken a bite.”
“Of course.”
There’s a crunch of teeth breaking through graham cracker, and the whole crowd seems to hold their breath in anticipation.
“Oh, yum,” Belinda says after a moment. “This is delicious. There’s cinnamon, apple, and caramel in addition to the classic milk chocolate and marshmallow. A great fall s’more.” She takes another bite and swallows with a happy hum. “I could eat more than one of these.”
I sit up straighter in my seat, chest swelling with pride. I tried the bacon, and it was delicious. But then Blossom’s spiced apple scent teased my nose, and I couldn’t think of anything other than tasting her.
I made the s’more version of my wood witch.
“That’s going to be hard to beat,” the griffin claims. “But let’s see about this next one.”
Another crunch and chewing moment.
Then, Mayor Nightson laughs.
Witches and wolves exchange glances, and Blossom worries her lower lip between her teeth. I want to drag her into my arms, press a comforting kiss to that lip, and tell her it’s okay if she doesn’t win every challenge?—
“I love it!” Belinda exclaims, cutting off my thought. “Dark chocolate and mint. My favorite combo. Is this a fresh mint leaf in here? Goddess, that’s divine. Sorry, competitor one, I have to go with option number two.”
Well, fuck me.
I guess we know why the witch ran off. She went to find some fresh herbs that must have been growing nearby.
Blossom jumps up from her seat, fist-pumping both her arms in the air with a whoop before turning her taunting grin my way.
“Two to one, sucker.” She leans toward me as she rubs the score in, eyes alight with her win.
Gods, she’s beautiful.
“How’d you know?” I try to keep my voice unaffected as I fight the urge to lunge forward and steal a kiss from those sassy lips.
“Peppermint patty latte. I was behind the mayor one time at Coffee & Claws when she ordered.” The witch taps her temple as she names Folk Haven’s local coffee shop. “It’s a steel trap in here. Don’t forget a thing.”
Don’t I know it? As I watch Blossom saunter away, off to chat with Belinda about her creation and accepting congratulations from fellow witches, I wonder if not forgetting means never forgiving as well.
Two to one.
I stare at the ground between my feet, watching shadows from the dancing bonfire flames flicker across the flattened grass. Time passes as I try not to panic. Try not to think about losing and Blossom leaving again.
This time, without the requirement of saying good-bye to me.
As if conjured by my thoughts, there’s a gentle press of lips against my cheek and the scent of spiced apples in my nose. The witch snuck up on me, and I turn my head so fast that my mouth brushes hers before she can fully retreat.
Blossom gasps in a breath, her pupils dilating when they meet mine, and we pause there, staring at each other until she whispers …
“Good-bye, darling. I’ll miss you.”
Then, she’s gone.
