Bearly Bewitched (Mystic Hollow #4)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

T he scent of cinnamon and roses wafted through air crackling with magic and possibility. Soft pink and golden lights twinkled overhead like earthbound stars while enchanted lanterns cast heart-shaped shadows that danced across cobblestones worn smooth by centuries of supernatural feet.

Vail leaned back against Kaine’s solid chest, savoring his bear-warmth in the crisp February air. His arms tightened around her waist as they watched Romi’s newest magical mixology demonstration.

“Now, the secret is in the timing,” Romi explained, lightning crackling through her hair as she mixed dried rose petals with sparkling pomegranate juice. Tiny sparks jumped between her fingers, making the crystalline glasses chime like bells. “Too much passion flower essence and you’ll have people singing love songs in the street. Though that might not be entirely bad...”

“The last thing we need is another impromptu musical number,” Xabir drawled from his position against her stall. “I still haven’t recovered from New Year’s Eve.”

“You loved my midnight karaoke and you know it.” Romi stretched up to kiss his jaw, her magic leaving little lightning prints that faded slowly from his skin. “Mr. ‘I-don’t-dance’ was certainly moving pretty well by the end of the night.”

The alpha wolf’s usual stoic expression cracked into a tender smile that he reserved solely for her. “That’s because someone spiked the punch with liquid courage.”

“I would never!” But her innocent look fooled no one, especially when more sparks danced in her hair.

“Speaking of suspicious drinks,” Sabine called from the card-making station, her hands gracefully directing floating craft supplies, “remember what happened at the Summer Solstice Festival? When someone’s ‘purely decorative’ butterfly garnishes came to life?”

“Those children were delighted,” Romi protested.

“They chased poor Burke around the square for an hour,” Vail reminded her, unable to keep from grinning at the memory.

“He needed the exercise.” Romi finished her current creation with a flourish, rose petals arranging themselves into perfect hearts on top of the shimming liquid. “Besides, Neve helped catch them eventually.”

“Only because I was tired of hearing him wheeze,” Neve called from where she and her sister were enchanting the main stage’s lighting. The silver-haired twins moved in perfect sync, their combined magic painting the air in soft pastels.

Warmth suddenly brushed Vail’s ear as Kaine leaned down. “Want to sneak away for a moment? I found something you might like.”

His voice sent pleasant shivers down her spine, but she made herself focus. “We should probably help with the ceremony preparations...”

“They can spare us for five minutes.” His fingers traced idle patterns on her hip, making it very hard to think straight. “Unless you’re not curious?”

She twisted to look up at him, heart skipping at the mischief in his golden eyes. “That’s not fair. You know I can’t resist a mystery.”

“I’m counting on it.” He captured her hand, leading her through the crowded market square.

They passed Clover’s enchanted garden where frost-touched roses bloomed impossibly in February air. The earth witch had outdone herself, creating winding paths between flowering arbors that couples strolled through hand-in-hand. Rook’s massive tiger form lounged nearby, radiating smug satisfaction as visitors admired his mate’s work.

“Show-off,” Clover murmured fondly, scratching behind his ears. The massive predator actually purred, making nearby flowers burst into sudden bloom.

“You’re one to talk,” the alpha tiger rumbled after shifting smoothly to human form. He pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her temple. “I saw those heart-shaped topiaries dancing earlier.”

“That was an accident! Sort of.”

Near the craft stalls, Ren helped Sabine hang enchanted paper hearts that chimed softly in the breeze. The ancient dragon’s usual gravity had softened into something almost playful as his mate carefully balanced on tiptoe to reach higher branches. His hands settled possessively on her waist when she swayed.

“I can shift if I need to,” Sabine reminded him, though she made no move to leave his steadying grip.

“Perhaps I simply enjoy catching you.” His voice carried centuries of devotion.

She turned in his arms, tiger grace making the movement liquid-smooth. “Perhaps I enjoy letting you.”

“And they call us disgustingly cute,” Kaine murmured as they passed the couple.

Vail squeezed his hand. “We are disgustingly cute. I’ve just decided to embrace it.”

He led her down a quieter side street where market crowds thinned. Magic-touched lanterns cast intimate pools of light between shadow, their glow reflecting off frost-rimmed windows. The sound of music and laughter faded to a pleasant backdrop.

“Close your eyes,” he instructed softly.

“Kaine...”

“Trust me?”

Always , she thought but didn’t say. Instead she let her eyes drift shut, other senses heightening to compensate. His warm hands on her shoulders guided her forward a few steps. Then she heard the soft click of a door opening, felt warm air rush out to meet them.

“Okay. Look.”

She opened her eyes and gasped. They stood in a small courtyard transformed into a winter wonderland. Enchanted snowflakes danced in the air, never touching ground but casting rainbow lights as they spun. The walls dripped with delicate ice sculptures that somehow radiated warmth instead of cold. And everywhere, tiny lights pulsed in time with her heartbeat.

“How did you...”

“I had some help.” He wrapped his arms around her from behind. “Romi handled the weather magic, Clover grew the ice flowers, and Sabine added the light effects. But the basic idea was mine.”

She turned in his embrace, overwhelmed by the effort he’d put into surprising her. “It’s beautiful. But why...”

“Because I love you.” His eyes held that tender heat that made her knees weak. “Because you deserve beautiful things. Because making you smile is quickly becoming my favorite hobby.”

She stretched up to kiss him, pouring all her emotion into it.

The enchanted snowflakes swirled faster around them, caught in her magic’s happy surge.

When they finally broke apart, she stayed close enough to share breath. “I love you too. So much it scares me sometimes.”

“Good scared or bad scared?” His thumb traced her lower lip.

“The best kind of scared. The kind that comes with knowing I’ve found something precious and real and absolutely worth any risk.”

He kissed her again, slower this time but no less intense. One hand tangled in her hair while the other splayed possessively across her lower back, pulling her flush against him. Heat bloomed everywhere they touched, making her forget the winter chill entirely.

A wolf whistle suddenly pierced their private moment. They turned to find their friends crowded in the courtyard entrance, all wearing varying degrees of amused expressions.

“If you two are done being romantic,” Romi grinned, “the ceremony’s about to start. Though I have to say, nice touch with the snowflakes.”

“Very dramatic,” Sabine agreed, her own smile soft as she leaned into Ren’s side. “Though the light show at the end was maybe a bit much.”

Vail realized the tiny lights were now practically strobing in response to her heightened emotions. Heat crept into her cheeks but she couldn’t bring herself to care too much. Not when Kaine’s arms felt so right around her.

“We’re coming,” she managed, trying to smooth her definitely-mussed hair.

“Take your time.” Xabir’s usual stoic expression had cracked into a grin. “I’m sure no one will notice if the headmistress is fashionably late to her own ceremony.”

“Especially not with that kiss-struck look,” Clover added helpfully while Rook tried and failed to hide his smirk.

Together they rejoined the market’s flowing crowds, the enchanted snowflakes following in their wake. Above them, magical lanterns painted the night in soft rose and gold, but nothing glowed brighter than the love in her heart.

And if Kaine kept stealing kisses, well... what was the point of being headmistress if she couldn’t bend the rules about public displays of affection once in a while?