I shakily rose to my feet. My sweating palms made my grip on my mug tenuous. “Wish me luck.”
“Good luck, Kiz.” Redd said with a slight smile lifting his cheek. “Knock ‘em dead. Not actually, of course. Unless you need to.”
“To the moons!” Fiella shouted at my back.
I rolled my eyes and waved at them over my shoulder. “Suns!”
I made my way to Ginny’s Pub, walking as fast as I could without breaking into a run.
Crowds of folk were lined up outside of both the pub and the diner, everyone trying to squeeze in a hearty lunch before the Hallow’s Eve celebrations kicked off in the evening. It was common Moonvale knowledge that both establishments wouldbe closing in the early afternoon, with the two suns still high in the sky. Food available later in the day would be scarce. Mitz would be serving some delicious pastries, surely. But now was the time to fill up.
Only a few folk cast me longing glances as I passed, and almost nobody attempted to speak to me. The dragon eggshell powder must have been working. I silently thanked Tandor in my head (and myself, for coming up with the genius powder-in-drink plan).
I waited in line for a moment before I felt my nerves start to fizzle out. Drastic measures needed to be taken.
I shouldered my way through the crowd, ducking my head and pulling my cloak up so maybe folk wouldn’t notice me as I jammed my way in front of them.
Hex perched on my shoulder, bubbling in satisfaction as I weaved through the line. They were more vindictive than I was.
Damn supportive familiar. I made the slime sit as far back on my shoulder as possible, almost entirely shielded by my hair. Unless someone lookedreallyclosely, we were safe.
I wasn’t sure I wanted the entire town knowing about my “not supposed to be possible” familiar. It wasn’t that I was ashamed of them, I just felt… protective. I shivered at that. Since when was I protective of the cauldron mishap?
I was growing soft.
I spotted Tandor behind the bar as I squeezed my way through the door. I ignored any protests as I passed. I was a woman on a mission.
I slipped up to the bar counter and laid my forearms on the surface, pressing to my toes and leaning forward. Tandor hadn’t noticed me yet.
“Boo!” I shouted when he drifted closer.
He jumped, his entire body flinching as the mug he had been carrying clattered to the floor. He slapped a hand over his chest. “Gods almighty! You almost killed me, little witch.”
Manic laughter escaped my mouth. He was entirely too easy. “Hi,” I said between giggles.
“Hi,” he answered as he calmed himself. He retrieved the mug from the ground (not broken, luckily) and returned to filling glasses. He poured a goblet and slid it in my direction.
I smelled it before I took a sip. Spiced pumpkin cider. A grin split my face.
“You made more?” I asked.
“Mhm,” he answered. “It felt right for Hallow’s Eve. I started it before we left.”
I couldn’t help but agree. The rich pumpkin flavor was perfect for the turning of the seasons. I almost wished it was hot, like the mulled wine back in Rockward.
The orc drifted away for a few minutes to serve other patrons. I helped myself to one of the barstools.
When he returned, he leaned forward over the bar counter, grabbed my chin between his thumb and forefinger and tilted my head back. He planted a quick kiss on my lips before grinning, releasing me, and casually grabbing another goblet.
My cheeks flamed. I didn’t know what to say. I glanced around to see if anyone else had noticed—if any other lives had been irrevocably changed by that very sweet, very public kiss.
Nobody was staring. Just my life, then.
Tandor filled a few other drinks before returning to my end of the bar.
“Ready for tonight?” he asked.
My mind was still whirling from the chaste kiss. “I—I hope so,” I stuttered. “The cauldron will certainly do the trick.”
