Chapter 15
Magnus was so focused on everything. Getting the little nibblies ready for the open house and then making sure the dining room was perfect. Mercedes was there to help, but the moment she touched something, it combusted or erupted, and the dishwasher started whistling bubbles.
“Did you get this machine from Mona?” Mercedes asked.
“Yes.”
“It probably has a name and I can’t touch it.”
Magnus sent her off to fluff pillows in the formal sitting area, where he knew the Sullivans were. Sven had told him that the Sullivans wanted a séance, and that Mercedes seemed very uncomfortable with that.
He hoped the guests didn’t rile her up too much and cause something to go wonky out there, but at least he could have a somewhat calm kitchen and stay away from the crowds.
Sven was in charge of letting people tour the place, and all Magnus had to do was periodically bring out a tray of appetizers and amuse-bouches.
Sometimes he’d have a moment to chat with people like Hope and Ogram, or Armen and Raya. There were so many people from Harmony Glen who came. Keeping busy was good because he didn’t think about Mercedes and that he hadn’t told her yet that he loved her.
In fact, since the day in the graveyard and that shared moment when the pillows were exploding, he hadn’t had time to see her. He was busy prepping food and making sure their paying guests were being fed.
Sven was completely in his element showing off the dead-and-breakfast. Magnus was happy that he was happy. It made him feel better to know that this place would be under Sven’s care after he was gone, which Magnus was still having a hard time wrapping his head around.
It was bad enough he had to keep reminding himself not to walk into walls. Especially during the open house. It was also weird not being able to float, and to have a heartbeat.
Finally, when the grand opening was done, he retreated to his apartment in the basement. As he sat down in his easy chair, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” he called out.
Mercedes opened the door tentatively. She had her coat on. “I just came to say goodnight.”
“Goodnight?”
She shrugged. “You seemed tired.”
“I’m not used to being on my feet again for so long.” He stood and went over to her, kissing her lightly on the lips. “I want you to stay.”
“Okay,” she murmured against his lips, wrapping her arms around his waist. “We need to talk.”
“Oh?” he asked, but he knew they did. Why was he suddenly so worried about something he was so sure of?
After shutting the door, she slipped off her coat, then he led her to his couch, where they sat next to each other. She looked nervous as she took his hands.
“I love you,” she stated. “I want you to know that before I tell you what I’m about to tell you.”
His stomach knotted and he braced himself for something bad, because for the last thousand years, that seemed to be his lot in life. “Okay.”
“That day on the blood-cursed ground. I saw more than I told you.”
“Oh?”
“I was supposed to be the vessel for Yrsa. Something went wrong and it didn’t happen, but the explosions aren’t because I’m a bad witch, it’s a stress response my magic instinctively uses to protect myself from being overwhelmed or taken over.”
Magnus frowned. “Is this a real possibility?”
“No, I don’t think so. Mona and Hetty, because I did talk to her about it, think that my family have given up. I mean, they’re responsible for that curse that went horribly wrong on Flo.”
“Why did you hide this from me?” he asked, gently.
“You hated Yrsa so much. Look how you reacted in Tallowfield, when you saw I was her doppelg?nger.”
He winced. “I know.”
“I thought…I thought you might reject me. I mean, I’m used to it. I wasn’t good enough for my family. I wasn’t Yrsa and I didn’t have any of their dark tendencies.”
Magnus brushed his knuckles against her cheek. “You can always talk to me. It’s kind of freaky that Yrsa was supposed to be reincarnated. In my old religion, we believe in endrborinn, but here’s the thing—you’re not Yrsa. You’ve told me that numerous times and you’ve proved it.”
Mercedes laughed. “Yeah, I suppose I have. I’m glad I’ve told you everything now. It was weighing heavily on me. I love you and I didn’t want that to be the reason you might not, you know, love me.”
He smiled at her, his heart racing, a sensation he hadn’t experienced since becoming a ghoul all those centuries ago.
Unlike banging into walls, this was a side effect of mortality he welcomed.
“I love you, Mercedes. I loved you from that first text about all those movies we love. Your goofy sense of humor and even with the explosions and enchanted appliances that react to you. I love you for you, and I don’t want to live this life without you. ”
She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. The moment their lips connected there was a burst of energy. Something connecting them, like a wrong being righted.
The kiss ended and she gasped. “Your eyes.”
“Now what?”
“They’re a beautiful shade of blue. You’re still white and have the fangs, but your eyes are human again.”
“Well, maybe we should experiment a bit more with this power exchange and see what else happens?” He growled, nibbling her neck.
Mercedes giggled. “I would like that.”
The next few days flew by. Mercedes moved in with Magnus, and though Hetty was sad that she was moving out, she was also happy for them.
Somehow loving Magnus and breaking the curse had righted a wrong.
Sven remained cursed but upbeat, and it bothered her that she didn’t know how to help him.
Flo seemed to be more forgetful lately, even avoiding Mercedes a lot of the time and muttering to herself.
Still, she loved living at the dead-and-breakfast with Magnus. No matter how much they experimented, nothing else seemed to change with Magnus, and Mercedes was fine with that.
She loved him the way he was.
The ghosts had learned that when she entered Magnus’ apartment, it was off-limits. She’d given them a stern talking-to. And at least Mario, for now, seemed to have some clothes on.
Tumbledore and Sock Muncher, the dryers, no longer belched up lint. They were behaving quite nicely, and the two washers, The Spin Doctor and Agitator Betty, were also very happy to clean the sheets with no problems.
The dishwasher on the other hand, Foam Fatale, really didn’t like when she was in the kitchen.
She much preferred Magnus, so Mercedes left her alone.
She still hadn’t mastered enchanting her own Moptimus Prime, but she had Vlad the Inhaler Jr managing the carpets and there hadn’t been an explosion in days.
Everything was spick-and-span in time for the small wedding for Margaid and Finn out in the garden.
It was the start of October and surprisingly still warm.
The colors of the trees were at their peak.
The sun was setting, creating a beautiful twilight aura in the garden, and the strung twinkle lights made it almost magical.
Phineas, the best man, had made a beautiful arbor out of twigs. Dazy had decorated it with autumn florals.
Mona had finally got Margaid alone and given her the vintage gown and styled Pearl in a beautiful diaphanous lace dress, which made her look even more ethereal.
The moment Pearl walked down the aisle, Mercedes could see Phineas melt and not take his eyes off of her.
Those two were so smitten it was ridiculous.
Finn looked absolutely uncomfortable in his tuxedo.
Magnus spent the entire ceremony chuckling as Finn tugged at his tight collar.
“You need to behave,” Mercedes warned.
“I’m sorry. I’ve never seen him so dressed up. He looks miserable.”
“You’re enjoying his misery too much,” she hissed.
Magnus chuckled and held up his finger and thumb. “Just a bit.”
Mercedes elbowed him as Margaid stepped out of Room with a Tomb. Mari began to sing a beautiful, haunting aria. Everyone stood. Margaid was stunning in her vintage fifties white lace wedding gown, her red hair curled up. Finn puffed out his chest in pride.
“She’s beautiful,” Mercedes whispered.
“Not as beautiful as you though,” Magnus said, bringing her hand up to kiss it, which made her swoon.
They sat as Sven began the simple ceremony.
Ghosts were all scattered around the yard, watching. It was sweet, and Mercedes noticed Flo looking confused, floating off to the side. She almost looked distressed, which worried her.
“I now pronounce you man and wife,” Sven said, interrupting her thoughts. “You may kiss the bride.”
Everyone stood and clapped as Finn took Margaid in his arms and kissed her. Margaid was practically floating. Everyone threw flower petals as they walked down the aisle. Phineas stiffly took Pearl’s arm and escorted her inside, and Sven escorted Hetty back into the Dead and Breakfast.
“I’ll be right back,” Mercedes said, excusing herself.
Magnus looked concerned. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. You go on inside and I’ll be in shortly.”
As guests filtered in behind the happy couple, Mercedes made her way over to Flo, who was wringing her hands.
“Flo, are you okay?”
“I don’t think so. Something doesn’t feel right and I don’t remember much. I do remember you, but…I don’t know. I feel like what I know is slipping further away.”
“Maybe you should go to your spot under the house? Try to rest.”
Flo nodded. “Okay, but…I don’t know how much more time I have left, Mercedes. Please, if you know of something to help me, please.”
Mercedes reached out to touch her, but her hand went through Flo’s form. “I’ll try.”
Flo nodded and dissipated.
Mercedes worried her bottom lip and Mona sidled up beside her. “Séance.”
“What?”
“Séance, that’s what my guides are telling me. Do with that as you will.” Mona winked and headed into the dead-and-breakfast.
Mercedes’ stomach sank. Could she pull off a séance? She’d told the Sullivans and Sven no, but the Sullivans were still here and Sven would be so happy if she could accommodate that request.
Though, preforming for entertainment purposes was not really her jam. However, it was Sven’s heart she was thinking about and Flo’s wellbeing. That’s all that mattered.
She headed back inside where a small reception was taking place. Mercedes found Sven and pulled him to the side.
“I’m going to do the séance in a couple of days, but I have to figure out how to do it.”
Sven was surprised. “What made you change your mind?”
“I think Flo is fading,” Mercedes whispered.
Sven frowned. “What?”
“She doesn’t remember you at all now, or what she is. I mean, there’s no guarantee it will work…”
“It doesn’t matter. We have to try,” Sven said fiercely. “It’s our only chance.”
“I will try.”
“That’s all I ask.”
Magnus came over. “Everything okay?”
“Yes,” Sven said, clearing his voice nervously. “Fine.”
Magnus frowned and Mercedes just shook her head. “It’s going to be okay. Let’s just enjoy the reception.”
“Sure.” He grabbed two flutes of champagne and handed her one. “It’s a beautiful evening for a wedding.”
“It is.”
“Makes you think?” He winked.
“Oh, I’m not ready for that yet.”
“Ah, you said ‘yet.’ So you’re thinking about it,” he teased.
“So are you!” she countered.
“I am. You’re the only one I want.” And he leaned down and kissed her.
“Get ready for the bouquet toss!” someone shouted.
Magnus stepped back and nudged her forward, into a crowd of other single humans and monsters. Margaid stood on the landing, turned her back, and tossed the bouquet. Mercedes closed her eyes and reached out, hoping she didn’t catch it by keeping perfectly still.
It landed squarely in her hands, as if it were magnetized to her.
Great.
Everyone cheered. Magnus threw back his head and laughed. Mercedes rolled her eyes, but leaned in to sniff the beautiful dahlias and marigolds, only for them to combust and scatter petals in a big puff, right in her face.