Chapter 1 #2
“Is this real?” Elizabeth whispered, entranced as the steam showed their first meeting.
His stunned expression when Cyrene showed him a lantern that captured the feeling of childhood wonder.
Their hands touching as she passed him the glowing orb.
The heavy look they both shared as fate settled over them both.
The steam swirled faster, revealing three days of stolen happiness that included walks through the festival grounds, shared meals beneath fairy lights, and quiet conversations on a grassy, moonlit hill.
Then abrupt darkness as tragedy struck and duty called him away.
“Typical vampire,” she said with a shake of her head. “Always brooding, never leaving a forwarding address.” Her weathered hands flew to her heart. “But they already know each other. They’ve already fallen in love.” Her voice shook. “This is even better than I could conjure up myself.”
The steam parted like a curtain to reveal twin scenes of heartache: Cyrene alone in her workshop, tears falling onto a special lantern she’d made just for him, whispering his name night after night until she forced herself to stop.
He’d left her, and she didn’t know why. Soon, she blamed herself. She was too joyful, too…flighty.
Then she changed, becoming solemn, hiding the very part of herself that made her special.
The next images showed the newly crowned vampire king searching for her, sending careful inquiries throughout the witch territories, though he was thwarted by the simple fact that he’d never learned her full name or the exact village she came from.
“Six years,” Elizabeth said, swirling her fingers through the steam. “So much longing on both sides, neither knowing the other still thinks of those days.”
She clapped her hands. “Excellent. Nothing rekindles fading wards like eliminating unresolved romantic tension.”
This was the perfect recipe for a reunion that could create magic powerful enough to help heal their world.
Will you tell them? Grimble asked, watching as she worked. Or will you let them figure it out themselves with no hints or helpful nudges?
“Should I? Hmm… The best matches are the ones people think they stumble into all on their own. I’ll merely rearrange the furniture of fate.
” Elizabeth directed the concoction to stir faster, a smile spreading across her lined face.
“This explains why she’s so glum all the time.
The sweet woman’s been keeping embers warm in her heart for the vampire king all this time. ”
She allowed the steam to dissipate, the visions fading as the magical ingredients lost their power. She’d seen enough. Tomorrow, she’d send word to the vampire king about an alliance through marriage. As matriarch of one of the oldest witch bloodlines and head of their local coven, he’d accept.
The magical equilibrium needed cooperation, connection, and love. She’d give it to them with this match.
She couldn’t tell them about the failing magic in both their territories. If word got out, there’d be an uproar. Better to fix this behind the scenes, then sit back and enjoy the happiness these matches would bring to their newly repaired community.
Marriages were always arranged. Her granddaughters knew their time would soon come. The three granddaughters she’d raised were three chances to repair their wards. And if that wasn’t enough, well, she had other granddaughters to pick from.
This would work. It had to work.
What about your other granddaughters? Grimble asked, leaping onto the counter beside Elizabeth, his double-clawed paws landing silently on the smooth surface. He purred while rubbing against her arm, his thick fur soft and soothing. Will you arrange matches for them as well?
“Perhaps. I have many granddaughters, though I won’t do this all at once.” Elizabeth stroked his spine, and his purring grew louder. “I may have spotted a particularly grumpy dragon shifter king who needs some sunshine in his life. And a wolf shifter king. And let us not forget the fae king who…”
Who…?
Elizabeth snickered. “I’m not going to say. Not yet.”
“As for Raoul, the dragon king, his intellectual intensity may be perfect for my weather witch granddaughter, Adele, though I’ll have to scry their match before making any arrangements.
Adele needs someone who could match her brilliant mind and hold onto his patience when she loses herself in books for days.
” She smiled, thinking of her second-oldest granddaughter surrounded by stacks of weather magic tomes.
Elizabeth reached for her tea, sipping while thinking this through. “And the fae king has been sending diplomatic letters already, hoping for a treaty between our people. I could suggest a match to solidify it, and he won’t think anything of it. This sort of thing used to be done all the time.”
Long ago, not recently.
“True.” She tilted her head, thinking. “He’s far too flighty and frivolous, as are all the fae, but I’ve watched him.
While he projects decadence and charm on the surface, I believe it’s a facade.
He needs someone who can see past his act to the true male beneath.
” She nodded. “Sasha’s stern nature might balance him perfectly.
My oldest granddaughter needs someone who will make her laugh, and he may be the perfect choice. ”
“And for Victoria, I believe the wolf shifter king could be the perfect match for her, though I’ll wait to make certain of that with a good pot of brew, naturally.”
Naturally.
Did she hear sarcasm in her companion’s voice? She cut him a sharp look, but he had sat on her table and was licking his paw, using it to clean his right ear.
“One match at a time. Each will take delicate care.”
You don’t want to cause an international incident. Grimble’s tone held admiration now, which made her preen.
“Only a small one if need be. The harmless sort with enchanted tortes, scandalous kisses, and great-grandbabies I can spoil rotten.”
And if the vampire king, Kieran, had no idea his mysterious bride-to-be was the joy witch who’d captured his heart years ago? Well, some surprises were worth waiting for.
“Sometimes,” Elizabeth said as she ladled stew into bowls, a smaller one for Grimble.
“Being a meddling old woman has its moments.” She set his bowl in front of him, placing her own nearby.
She added bread from the loaf she’d baked this morning, plus some freshly churned butter, though none for her companion since he would only lick off the butter.
Grimble rose to his feet and sniffed the offering, his purr starting up again. Promise me you won’t try to arrange a match for me.
“Now there’s an idea,” Elizabeth said, sitting in front of her meal and lifting her spoon. “I hear there’s a lovely golden cat in the eastern territories who—”
Elizabeth.
“Fine, fine. I’ll focus on my granddaughters for now.” She grinned as his grumbling filled her head, accompanied by the sharp swish of his tail.
Outside her manor window, the first stars were beginning to twinkle, as if the universe itself was winking at how clever she was. Tomorrow would bring a marriage proposal that would change two lives forever.
Neither Kieran nor her dear Cyrene had any idea what was coming.
And neither did Quandary, though Cyrene’s little sapphire drake would undoubtedly have opinions about his witch suddenly acquiring a vampire husband. Elizabeth made a mental note to stock up on fireproof mitts.
She’d raised her granddaughters after tragedy took their parents. A witch who could do that could do almost anything.
“What could possibly go wrong?” she mumbled as she lifted her spoon.
Grimble groaned. He hated when she said that.
Outside, thunder rumbled faintly in the distance.
Typical timing.