Her eyebrows pinched in a small wince. “I am. I’m sorry.”
“Is it that big of a secret?”
“It really is.”
My heart squeezed. “Are you going to keep it hidden the entire ride back to Moonvale?”
This seemed to stop her short. She stared at a spot over my shoulder. “I—I guess I must.”
I sighed. “Alright, do what you have to do.”
I wandered to a new bench while Kizzi slipped into the shop. The critters would surely appreciate another snack.
This time, a small bird took notice. It was a light gray color, about the size of an apple, with a shiny black beak. It gobbled up my cookie crumbs with no fear. It chomped its beak at me when I first attempted to stroke its feathers.
“Hey!” I admonished. “I just want to be your friend.”
I dropped a few more crumbs onto the ground. This time, the bird let me trace a gentle finger down the back of its head. A tiny wave of triumph lightened my spirits.
There was nothing better than befriending a new critter.
As I continued feeding the bird crumbs, my thoughts wandered home—back to Moonvale. Was Ginger doing alright without me? Was she handling the crowds? Suddenly, I missed the pub fiercely, along with the faun that owned it. She would have many colorful words for the situation I had gotten myself into with Kizzi. I would never hear the end of it.
I sat for what felt like a long time. Eventually, hunger began to gnaw at my stomach again. I decided it was time for another snack, and maybe a warm drink.
I wandered into a bakery.
I couldn’t help myself—I bought a treat for Kizzi as well. I knew she was low on silvers, and I knew she couldn’t resist a pastry. With two hot cocoas and a pouch full of mini pumpkin muffins, I strolled toward the witchy shop.
I would simply drop off the snack and then retreat, keeping my eyes to the floor to let her maintain her privacy. That was my plan.
The door was propped open. I stepped inside, determined to be swift.
But her words drifted to my ears.
“They’re so…shiny,” her smooth voice uttered.
“You’ve got to be careful with them,” an unfamiliar voice said. “They can break enchantments, but they can also be used tocreateenchantments. Dangerous ones.”
“Believe me, I know. I’m trying to correct a mistake I made.”
The voice hummed. “Mind if I ask what happened?”
“It was a love potion,” she murmured.
The other folk gasped. “No!”
“Unfortunately, yes. Believe me, it was an accident.”
My mind whirled. She was trying to break… a love enchantment? That didn’t make any sense.
I cleared my throat to announce my presence, stomping my feet a little so it sounded like I just walked in. Kizzi whirled and slapped a hand over her chest. “Oh, Tandor! Hi!”
“Hi.” I smiled tightly. “Just brought you a snack.”
I thrust the mug and pouch of pastries at her. She accepted them tentatively, her face pulling into a strange frown. “Oh, that’s lovely. Thank you.”
The other witch shot Kizzi a pointed look. Her mouth dropped open in something that looked like disbelief.
