“Luna can come under our wing, so to speak. We can consider you both to be honorary members for a time—until you figure out if you are staying in Haven Hollow or not. I’ll make sure she’s safe, and Isabella’s games won’t touch her.”
Violetta let out a quiet breath, hope flickering in her eyes. “I’d appreciate that more than you could possibly know. If you’re willing to offer her protection, we will definitely take you up on that. I want her to have a chance at a normal life, at least some part of it.”
They continued talking about coven politics, but I largely tuned it out. I’d heard what I wanted to hear and I was proud of my bestie. Wanda was a lot of things and some of them weren’t complimentary, but when it came down to the things that mattered, she was the first to stand up. The first to show how strong she was. The first to do what was right.
Not wanting to get too sentimental, because I had my own goals to focus on, I glanced around the room again. I could feel the room like I’d never felt a room before. It almost hummed with life, every corner brimming with movement. Music pulsed softly, laughter rippling through the crowd like warm sunlight.
Wanda was soon dragged away by her husband, pressed a little too close to him as they danced, their laughter floating over the heads of nearby guests.
Glasses clinked, a toast rose in the corner, and someone cheered as they won a round of whatever game they were playing. Each burst of joy, every note of genuine happiness, fed into the swirling light inside the vial of the potion I was currently brewing. My fingers tingled as I guided the magic, letting the atmosphere itself do most of the work. The energy of friends enjoying themselves, of small triumphs and careless fun, became threads woven into the spell, a quiet but potent weave of fortune and goodwill.
My gaze drifted across the room and landed on Smith, where he was standing near the far wall with his hands tucked into his pockets. His amber eyes followed Violetta as she moved through the crowd, laughing at something one of the younger witches had said. There was a wistful tilt to his expression, a quiet longing that made him look almost vulnerable.
He caught my attention and then started across the crowded room, everyone getting out of his way as he did. I guessed that was how it was when you were a dragon—everyone got out of your way.
“How’s it going?” he asked when he reached me.
“It’s going.” I paused as I looked up at him. “Why don’t you just ask her out?”
Smith shook his head. “We aren’t… we’re just friends.”
“I’ve seen the way she looks at you. She can barely take her eyes off you.”
He smiled at me but it was a sad one. “She’s got a boyfriend. Remember?”
I laughed, the sound cutting through the buzz of music and chatter. “Yes, I remember. But, what I can tell you is: whether she has a boyfriend or not, you’re on her mind.”
“How would you know that?”
I laughed. “Because I’m a woman. And I can tell when another woman has a crush on a guy.”
“Violetta does not have a crush on me.”
I smiled. “You keep telling yourself that.”
Smith gave a half-smile, his gaze flicking back toward Violetta. “If she gave me half the chance, I would take care of that woman like she’s never been taken care of.”
I glanced over at where Violetta was now standing in the corner of the room, tapping her toes as she watched everyone dance.
“Well, why don’t you start by asking her to dance?”
“I don’t dance.”
I shrugged. “Well, you better get rid of that attitude pronto if you want any luck at all where that woman is concerned.” I motioned to her with my chin. “She’s standing all alone. Now is your time.”
He gave me a look that was full of doubt. “I don’t know why I’m agreeing to this.”
“Because you know I’m right.”
He didn’t say anything more, but turned around and made his way back through the crowd. Then he walked up to Violetta, and when he asked her to dance, she immediately smiled and then she was in his arms.
“Smith, you owe me one for that,” I said to myself with a laugh.
I felt a thrill of happiness pulse through me. This was the best part—watching my friends, my family, enjoying themselveswhile I worked my magic quietly at the heart of it all. I twirled a finger gently above the vial, murmuring low incantations, feeling the energy of the room settle into the potion. Every burst of laughter, every cheer over a game, every stolen glance between lovers fed into the shimmering liquid, making it brighter, stronger.
Across the room, Andre smiled at me and I smiled back. He was standing next to Finn, and the two were deeply engaged in conversation with Roy and Fifi while Ouire took a nap on the seat next to him.
I glanced back down at my potion, hardly daring to hope but... the elixir looked damn near perfect. The color was rich and warm, the surface rippling with a subtle light. I could feel the spell weaving itself, absorbing all the good vibes, the joy, the care, and funneling it neatly into the potion.
