Page 127 of No Charm Done

“Look at her,” Scarlett said with pride. “She’s terrifying.”

Del nodded. “She’s going to work out fine.”

“Who’s going to work out?” Luna asked. “At what? I’m totally behind here.”

“That’s what constant travel will do. Scarlett and I have been training Violet to help manage the Stargazer.”

Luna blinked. “Violet? Polly’s Violet? The kid?”

“Not really a kid anymore. And she’s alarmingly competent.” Delilah leaned back in her chair. “She’s meticulous about the reservation book, and she doesn’t take shit from anyone. Last week she made a guest cry just by looking at them.”

“But that seems bad, right?” Luna said. “I distinctly remember Mama telling me that making guests cry is bad?”

“Not in this instance.” Scarlett reached for a nearby bottle of champagne to fill her sisters’ glasses. “The guest was being a complete ass to one of the cleaning staff. Violet stared at him until he apologized and fled the inn, leaving a massive tip. It was beautiful.”

“You’re right, though, Luna,” Delilah admitted. “We do need to work on her people skills. Violet’s still learning the difference between good scary and bad scary. But honestly? After dealing with your haiku reservations, I can work with any kind of scary.”

“As always, dear sister, you are rude but fair.” Luna looked around the green until her gaze found Elias. He was standing in a group that included Nate, Jasper, and surprisingly, the tall magician in the grey suit. They were deep in conversation, Elias gesturing animatedly about something.

She watched him fondly for a moment, then drained her glass and stood. “I should rescue those poor men from whatever story Elias is inventing. But listen, Scar, I’m so sorry we missed your big moment.” She leaned down and kissed her sister on the top of her elaborate bridal hairdo. “I’m so happy for you and Nate, I really am. And Del—” another head kiss “—I promise I’ll try to be on time for the next one.”

Delilah harrumphed. “That promise and ten bucks will get me a venti latte.” But then she looked up at her baby sister and said kindly, “I love you, you little flake. Don’t stay away too long. Oak Haven’s much less exciting without you around.”

“I love you both. We’ll be back soon.” Luna strode backwards across the green, blowing kisses at her sisters. She reached the men just in time to hear Elias say: “—which is how we ended up accidentally preventing a duel between a very drunk Continental Army officer and a magician who was also very drunk.”

“I feel like there’s more to that story,” Nate said.

“There absolutely is,” Luna confirmed, sliding under Elias’s arm. “But it’s classified.”

“Everything’s classified with you two,” Jasper observed.

“Not true,” Elias protested. “Some things are just . . . inadvisable to discuss in mixed temporal company.” He gently stroked Luna’s cheek—an intimate gesture for such a public setting. “Shall we go?”

She nodded. They said their goodbyes to the men and ventured to the dance floor, where Luna opened a fresh portal in one balletic gesture. On the far side of the portal, the canals of Venice sparkled with torchlight and music. Masked revelers danced through the streets, their laughter echoing off ancient stone.

“Wait,” Jerusha called out. “What about the third Melrose wedding? When can we expect that?”

Luna and Elias gazed at each other, both smiling slyly.

“We’re very busy people,” she said. “I’m not sure when we’ll find the time.”

Jerusha folded her arms across her chest. “I’d just like to point out that I’m well past 120 years old. I don’t have forever, you know.”

“Funny,” Elias said, “because we do.”

He wrapped Luna up in a warm embrace. And as they kissed, they leaned backwards, trust-falling into the portal and whatever came next.