“No…” Griffin said.
“I had no idea,” Olive lied.
Cassian giggled. “I know. We hid it so well.”
“Congratulations on quitting the force, Thorndrop. I knew you were better than that,” Griffin said.
“We’re so happy to have you here,” Olive added with a big smile.
“Thank you both. I’m still learning, so if I make a mistake, I hope you’ll let me know,” I said.
“Yes, same for me. I’m still learning too,” Cassian said. “Please don’t be afraid to correct me. And please tell me if you ever need anything.”
“You got it, Fibbersnap,” Griffin said. “Is that all?”
“That’s all. Does anyone have anything for me?” Cassian asked.
Griffin shook his head, but Olive wrung her hands.
“Great,” Cassian said. “Let’s?—”
I squeezed Cassian’s wrist. “Olive, did you want to say something?” I asked.
Olive looked up fast, and then she smiled. “Oh… It’s nothing.” She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I was just wondering if…”
“What is it?” Cassian asked.
“Well… now that the inn is busy again, would you consider hiring my oldest boy, Jack, to be our new stable hand? He’s a good, hard worker.”
Cassian raised his eyebrows. “Jack…?”
“You don’t have to answer now. I just thought I’d put it out there,” Olive said with a polite laugh. “It could be good for all of us.”
“I don’t know how I didn’t consider that before. That’s a great idea!” Cassian said. “When can he start?”
“Oh—I’ll talk to him tonight!” Olive said. “Thank you!”
“Are you kidding? Thankyou!That would be a huge help!” Cassian said.
The rush arrived as soon as we ended the meeting. Cassian taught me about the check-out process, and it was hard to listenwhile distracted by the beautiful mouth instructing me. I figured it out, though. Mostly.
During a slow stretch, Cassian fell into my arms, exhausted. “It hasn’t been this busy since… well, since your donation idea,” he said.
“That’s great,” I said, kissing the top of his head. He smiled.
“Can I ask you something?” he asked.
“Anything,” I said.
Cassian hesitated. “What’s going to happen to Jasmine?”
I rubbed my hand up and down his back and sighed. He was still struggling with his complicated feelings about Jasmine, and I didn’t know if telling him would help. “All things considered, the crime was not very severe. She might not have faced a harsh punishment if she hadn’t lied directly to an officer for weeks, obstructing the investigation, and she will face heavy charges for casting the mind-altering spell. They’ll probably contact us for our testimony soon. Jasmine appears to remember everyone but you, so Ezzila will probably face charges as well when Jasmine discovers she can reduce her sentence by sharing the blame with the witch who performed the magic, but Ezzila might not receive any punishment at all. She could get out of it if she has smart legalers. Do you want me to find out more?”
Cassian burrowed his face against me. “Do I want to know?”
“Would it matter either way? Jasmine isn’t coming back,” I said.
Cassian’s breath warmed my chest. “I suppose not. I wonder if she’ll ever remember me.”
