23. Ethan

Chapter 23

Ethan

I bounce in my seat as I wait for Wick to unwrap the gift I got him.

“First edition of Belinda Roomy’s On Demon Magic . How?” He holds it up.

“My grandmother had it in her collection and she was just going to get rid of it. I knew you’d love it.”

“Of course, I love it.” He flips through a few pages before setting it on the table. “Funny thing, I got you a gift, too. I saw it and couldn’t stop thinking about it.”

This is how it is with Wick. We give each other gifts almost every day. Just something makes me think of him and I have to get it for him.

He hands me a gift bag with tissue paper sprouting from the top. I pull it out and look inside the bag to find. “No,” I suck in a breath. “Elizabeth Appleby’s Memory Magic .”

“Kind of a moot point now, but I still think it’s helpful to have.” Wick grins, and he stalks around the table.

“No, you don’t.” I jump to my feet and race to our bedroom, but he beats me to it. “We don’t have time to get into shenanigans.”

“Shenanigans? What shenanigans?” He asks innocently as he practically eye fucks me.

“You know I can’t resist you.” I hop into his arms and writhe as we kiss. “But I must.” I push away from him and drop back to my feet. The look he gives me is comical, like when Rosco does something silly and Wick just doesn’t know how to contain his laughter.

Vi buzzes in my face and sasses me with her disapproval of our potentially being late.

“We can’t be late this time, Wick. It’s super important to be there.”

“I know. I know. I’m just nervous.”

“It’s something new and we need to show our support.” I take his hand and bring him back to the kitchen to brush his shirt clean. Using my magic, I take out the wrinkles I put in it by jumping in his arms.

“Ready?” he asks. When I nod, he teleports us to my grandmother’s backyard, where all four covens convene, as well as all the candidates for the new council.

My grandmother stands tall right in the center of it all on a short dais. She lifts a hand to silent the soft chatter around us.

“My fellow citizens of Hex, we’re gathered here to discuss a new type of leadership. As the current leader, I realize our current way of relying on the covens puts a burden on the witches that need to be shared. We need more people to step up to keep our town safe and running the way she was intended.” She walks across the tiny stage. “I recognize my own part in all of this. How I insisted the covens needed to be the ones to rule. But I was wrong. We need to share responsibility with the demons and the shifters and the vampires. No one citizen should hold all the power here. So I ask you, how shall we proceed?”

Murmurs rise up around us, and she holds up a hand. “One at a time.”

Hands raise all around us, and each person speaks. It’s going to be a long, long evening. I lean into Wick, who thankfully seems interested in what’s happening.

“I think this is going to be great if she executes it,” Wick says.

“I agree. It’s been a dream of mine and Florence’s for a long time to see leadership shift. I’m glad my grandmother finally listened.”

“I think you scared her.”

“Maybe,” I say.

I take in as much as possible, but a yawn escapes towards the three-hour mark.

My grandmother paces. “We’ll put everything up to a vote in the new year. We’ll have a pot for nominations in the community garden until then and anyone with multiple nominations will be on the ballot. Unless there are more questions, everyone’s dismissed.” She waves the dismissal.

But she’s not done yet. Several people catch her before she can scurry off and she’s stuck. We stay where we are until everyone clears out before we follow her back to her house.

“You did good,” I say.

“I hope so.”

“I must admit, I was enthralled,” Wick says, surprising me.

My grandmother stops and turns to stare at him. “Truly?”

“Yes. Everything was on point and I agreed with it all. I remember Ethan talking about it when we were younger. I’m glad his dream is finally taking root.”

She nods. “He and Florence would be good leaders.”

I hold up my hands and back away. “Nope. I don’t want that kind of responsibility. My big boy job is teaching, that’s it.”

Wick snorts at me and scoops me in his arms. “And that’s enough.” He turns to my grandmother. “I just wanted to say how much I’m impressed with how the meeting went. You did a good job.”

“I appreciate that, Warwick.”

“Wick, please,” he says.

Grandmother tips her head. “Wick.” She pats his shoulder. “The two of you need to come and raid my library some time. I’m downsizing again. Bring Flo when you do.” She turns, and before she steps up onto her porch, she asks, “How’s Rosco?”

“Good,” Wick grins. “He’s so good.”

“He’s getting apples?”

“So many,” I say as I squeeze Wick’s hand.

“Good. Good,” my grandmother nods and takes the few steps up the porch.

Wick presses a kiss to my head as he teleports us and it’s just the two of us in our cottage living room.

“Have I told you how much I love Hex,” Wick says. “And the new leadership is just going to make everything better.”

“You used to hate it here.”

“I was wrong.” He flops down on the couch and Rosco scurries over and pounces in his lap.

Vi happily buzzes in the little indoor garden by the big bay window. It’s got all her favorite flowers and a feeder I clean for her every day.

Outside, Florence’s Hellhound, Fleece, who looks like a Basset Hound, brays at something she’s found.

There’s nothing I’d change. Not the journey to get here, nor who I’m with. It’s been a ridiculous winding road to get here, but Wick’s my person and I’m never letting him go.