Chapter 30
Chapter
Thirty
Erasmus
“What did Leander think of his Solstice present?” Momma asked while pulling the cherry Jell-O from the refrigerator. She’d made a huge batch. Enough that Aurelia could stuff her face and still have more to take back to Peaches’s orchard.
“I think he liked it,” I answered. Momma and I were camped out in the kitchen. The bruises on my neck were fading. Loretta had offered me another healing potion, but I’d declined. At the end of the day, my bruises weren’t life threatening, and I wanted her to save her wares for someone in more dire need.
Pops decided to stick around and celebrate Solstice with Franklin, Momma, and me. Aurelia promised to pop up at some point or another. Thus, the large pan of Jell-O.
“He more than liked it,” Franklin said as he walked through the kitchen opening. He and Pops had just come back inside. They’d been out on the porch, discussing something or other. Honestly, it was a little unsettling just how much the two of them were getting along now. I often found them huddled together whispering. When I’d questioned Franklin, he’d simply kissed me and said I’d find out soon enough and not to ruin the surprise. He’d grinned like a loon, and I hadn’t had the heart to rib him further.
“What did you get him?” Pops asked.
“We didn’t get him anything,” I answered. “We took over a bunch of treats and toys for his dogs. Franklin thought Leander would appreciate that more than something for himself, and given his reaction, Franklin was right.”
Franklin chuckled. “He fought it, but Leander cracked a grin or two. We also won a few of the dogs over, and if we plan on going back, that’s a huge win.”
I shivered remembering our first trip to Leander’s property. “Damn right,” I agreed.
“Yoo-hoo!” Mrs. Hart’s happy greeting was overshadowed by Miss Pattycakes’s shrill yips and barks. The small Maltese liked to make her presence known.
“For the love of Gaia,” Pops groaned. “Why did you have to invite that dog into your home?”
Standing, I slapped Pops on the shoulder and hissed, “Be nice. Besides, Miss Pattycakes is an extension of Mrs. Hart. It would have been rude not to invite her. You’re just upset that she doesn’t like you.”
“That rat with fur is a menace,” Pops grumbled while I went to greet our latest guest.
“Mrs. Hart, I’m glad you could make it.”
“Nonsense, dear.” Mrs. Hart kissed my cheek before raising a steaming pan of green bean casserole. “Your momma told me this is one of your favorite dishes.” Mrs. Hart looked so proud while I struggled not to turn green with nausea.
“Thank you, Mrs. Hart,” Franklin said, saving me from immediately answering. “I’ll just put this on the counter with the rest of the food.” Franklin shot me a wink as he slid past me. Mrs. Hart followed while Miss Pattycakes ran ahead, scooting to a stop by Pops’s feet. Craning her neck, Miss Pattycakes began barking anew. Every time Pops moved his leg, Miss Pattycakes dodged and darted, making a show of trying to nip his ankles.
“Don’t you dare,” I warned Pops when I saw his hand duck into one of his pockets. “You cannot throw a charm at Mrs. Hart’s dog.”
Pops rolled his eyes. “It’s just a freeze charm. She’ll simply be immobile for the remainder of the day.”
Hands firmly planted on my hips, I gave Pops the stink eye. “That’s what I was afraid of. Be nice.”
“I’m not the one being unkind,” Pops answered while pointing an accusing finger at the dog.
“Oh, my. That is a lot of Jell-O,” Mrs. Hart exclaimed when she saw the pan of jiggly goodness.
Pops hung his head, mumbling something I couldn’t hear while Momma explained the excess amount of Jell-O in a way that Mrs. Hart would hopefully understand. If we were really lucky, Aurelia wouldn’t pop in until after Mrs. Hart left.
A clear ball with a hamster rolled past my feet, immediately grabbing Miss Pattycakes’s attention. Looked like Luck was a lady who didn’t have my back today.
“ I can’t believe your momma found a home for Aurelia’s latest pet.” The room was beautifully lit. All the lights were off except for the decorative ones. Franklin half lay in the corner of the sofa and I was snuggled up to his chest. A warm fire danced in the fireplace, casting speculative shadows across the room. Those shadows now sent waves of unease slithering down my spine. None of us had heard a word from Tenzen Huxley since his ominous phone call to Franklin.
“Momma’s got a good network, and since she is a real estate agent, she’s meeting new people all the time.” Momma got lucky and recently sold a home to a family with three young children. While she’d been showing the house, one of the kids mentioned that if they got the house, she hoped she could get a hamster. Momma jumped on that opening and viola, Aurelia’s latest venture in pet parenting came to an end.
“What do you think Peaches will say?” Franklin asked as his fingers lazily carded through my hair.
“I’m not sure, but hopefully he won’t be too upset that we found a home for the hamster first. In the end, it was Aurelia’s decision.” I’ll give her credit. Aurelia took care of the little hamster until it could find a new home. Unlike Little Fang, Aurelia clearly hadn’t liked the hamster. She’d never even given it a name.
I felt the air compress around us and knew Franklin had activated the sound muffling charm Pops left for us. He’d left us with half a dozen and promised more when he got back home. Pops’s flight was early tomorrow morning. Momma offered to take him to the airport, but Pops had a rental to return. He was staying with Momma tonight, leaving Franklin and me blissfully alone after the festive events and earlier meal.
“We need to talk to Peaches,” Franklin said now that our conversation was private. None of us knew if Tenzen was listening in. His shadows could be anywhere and I more than suspected they’d been in my home, watching me, these past few weeks.
We’d been putting off that conversation until after Solstice Day. Aurelia said Peaches was hosting a party at his orchard and we didn’t want to spoil the day. Now that Solstice Day was nearly over, it would be time to confront the elephant-sized shadow in the room.
Laying my head on Franklin’s chest, I allowed the constant beat of his heart to sooth me. “We promised Peaches we’d do a video chat with him and we still haven’t gotten around to that. He wants to meet you face-to-face. Maybe now’s the time. Well, maybe not right this second, but tomorrow or the next day.”
“I’m not sure why Peaches wants to see me,” Franklin said, but it didn’t come across like a complaint. More like curiosity.
“He wants to put a face to your voice.” I didn’t think it was all that odd. In fact, I thought it was sweet.
“I’m not much compared to a pixie,” Franklin lamented.
“I don’t imagine any species is.” Pixies were one of a kind, that was for sure. They were colorful, playful, and downright magical looking. Fairies were the only species that gave them an ounce of competition in the pretty department.
Franklin’s chuckle lifted my body. “You’re right about that. What color is Peaches?”
“Kind of golden-yellow. His dust is the same color. If you ever meet him, make sure to cover your nose. I think Pops also has a charm that dissipates the dust. If you don’t, you’ll end up in a sneezing fit that could rival the one Pops’s charm created on that Boggs jackass.”
“Holland was exceptionally pleased when I told him how I’d used one of his charms to nab the bad guy.”
I grinned. “I’m sure he was.”
Franklin’s fingers intertwined with mine and he brought my knuckles to his lips, peppering my skin with gentle kisses. “You know, this hand looks a little bare. Specifically, this finger right here.” Franklin kissed my left ring finger.
Confused, I pushed myself off his chest so I could look into his eyes. “What are you talking about. I don’t usually wear rings.” Witch and warlock fingers were typically adorned with rings of all sorts. They held power and stored important charms.
“True. But maybe you should start.” Shifting a little, Franklin wiggled his hand into a side pocket and pulled something circular out.
I stared at it. My bangs fell into my eyes, and I pushed my hair back, tucking it behind an ear while Franklin held that fragile circle of smokey black in front of me. Swirls of jewel tones danced across its surface as Franklin tilted the ring, catching different angles of the light.
“W-what…?” My heart pounded and my eyes flicked from Franklin’s to the ring. Licking my dry lips, I tried again but didn’t get much further.
Clearing his throat, Franklin’s free hand carded through my hair, pushing it away from my face before cupping my chin. “I’m probably not doing this right. I’m not down on one knee. Instead, I’ve got you laid out on top of me, resting your body against mine. I want you to know I’ll always be that person for you, Erasmus. I will always be the safe landing your body, soul, and mind need. You’re it—the beginning, middle, and end. I hope and pray I’m that person for you too. Erasmus Boone, will you do me the honor of becoming my husband?”
I felt tense and loose as a noodle all at the same time. My brain was little more than static, but my heart knew the way and thudded with content joy.
Franklin held the ring between his fingers, the circle open and awaiting my finger. Since words seemed impossible, I slid my finger inside that emptiness, filling it with my flesh.
“Is that a yes?” Franklin asked, his grin wide and welcoming.
“Gaia, yes,” I finally managed. “A thousand and one times, yes.”
“Thank God.” Franklin’s arms wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me flat on top of him. The angle was a little awkward, but I didn’t care. This was Franklin O’Hare. I would cross rivers of fire for him. A small kink in my neck was nothing if it meant I got to taste his lips and feel his tongue inside my mouth.
Thoughts of Tenzen Huxley fled my mind. They’d return and bring their shadows with them. Those dark times could wait. Right now, everything was good in the world. It wouldn’t last, which made this moment all the sweeter.