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I reached for what appeared to be the correct fork. “For the record, I support Carolina deciding her own future. I also support everyone lowering the magical temperature before dessert catches fire.”

One of the captive flames popped.

“Coward,” Carolina murmured.

“Survivor.”

Jacqueline exhaled slowly. “What are your intentions toward my daughter, Mr. Richards?”

“To love her. To choose her when fate alone is not enough. To annoy her for as long as she’ll tolerate me.” I looked at Carolina. “And to make sure she never has to become smaller so I can feel powerful.”

Carolina’s eyes softened.

Jacqueline looked away first.

After dessert, which was chocolate, enchanted, and probably more expensive than my apartment, Jacqueline handed me a narrow black box.

A silver pendant rested inside, etched with layered protection runes.

“It will shield the wearer from compulsion, tracking, and minor curses,” she said.

“Minor curses?”

“Anything less severe than being turned into a decorative shrub.”

“Comforting.”

I lifted the chain. “This is for Carolina.”

“It is for the occasions when you are insufficient.”

“Mother,” Carolina warned.

“He will be insufficient eventually. Everyone is.” Jacqueline met my gaze. “Love does not make you invulnerable, Mr. Richards. It makes another person’s safety more important than your pride.”

I closed the box. “That sounds almost like approval.”

“It is an observation. Do not become ambitious.”

When we left, Carolina looped her arm through mine.

“You survived.”

“I used three incorrect forks, and your mother called me insufficient twice.”

“Practically a blessing.”

Behind us, the door to the coven house remained open until we reached the street.

Jacqueline hadn’t hugged us goodbye. She hadn’t apologized again or transformed into someone easy to love.

But she had made room at her table.

For now, that was enough.

Chapter Sixteen

Four weeks after the curse broke, Mack found Vivienne Cross.