Derrick smirked. “You’re not in a competition. But even if you were, I’d say you won that round.” His hand slid up my back, and I looked over my shoulder, making sure the coast was clear, before tangling my fingers in his shirt.
“Let’s keep it that way. You know, you were right about one thing though.”
The corner of his mouth kicked up. “I’m right about many things. You’ll have to be more specific.”
“Very funny.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and gazed up at him. “You were right that it wouldn’t have mattered if I’d baked an apple or blueberry pie instead of mincemeat.”
He smothered a laugh. “No, it really wouldn’t have. The pie would have turned out dreadful either way. But then again, I don’t love you for your baking skills.”
“I would hope not. I’d have to question your sanity. Ah, but I shouldn’t have used a spell to get revenge. It was petty. And besides,”—I deepened my voice—“it’s forbidden.”
Derrick leaned back, his fingers pushing the hair out of my eyes. “Did my mother say that?”
I scrunched my nose, already sorry for mentioning it and spoiling the lighthearted mood. “It’s fine. I’m sure—”
“I’ll talk to her.”
“No, don’t. Let me handle it. I’m trying to win her over, remember? And I don’t think getting scolded by her son is going to do me any favors.” I smoothed my hands over the front of his jacket and tugged at the lapels. “It’s only the first day. My charm is the type that grows on a person.”
He lifted a brow. “How could I forget? You’re relentless.”
My shoulder rose in a shrug. “When I want something, I can be, and I want your family to like me. I’ll make it happen even if it kills me.”
A troubled look crossed Derrick’s face, and he brushed his thumbs across my cheeks. “Tessa—”
“Shh.” I pressed my finger to his lips. “Give me till the end of the week, you’ll see.” Twisting out of his embrace, I dodged his hands as they tried to pull me back. “Good night, Derrick. Sleep well.”
“Good night, Tessa,” he said, watching me leave. “Try to stay out of trouble until morning.”
“A witch never promises that.” I smirked and blew him a kiss before turning the corner.
***
The walk back to my room was uneventful, and I yawned as I approached the door. My muscles ached from the harrowing ordeal in the woods and from the tension of meeting Derrick’s family.
This was one day I was happy to see end.
Stepping into my room, I loosened the buttons on my gown and changed into my nightclothes. There was a chill in the air from the balcony doors being left ajar, and I shivered as I moved to close them.
A sliver of moonlight peeked between the clouds, illuminating a swath of snow-covered garden. My hand went to my cheek, feeling for the wound, and my mind replayed the incident in the forest. The chase. The adrenaline pumping through my body even as fear threatened to paralyze me.
It was only a poacher.
It wasn’t personal.
Outside, something moved in the shadows. My hand tightened around the doorknob as I peered into the darkness. Was it an animal? I rubbed my shoulders and dragged the heavy drapes closed. The air felt thin, and I tried for a deeper breath, then another, filling my lungs with soothing oxygen.
There wasn’t anything to fear.
Turning toward the bed, a smile formed when I spotted the napkin-wrapped biscuit Derrick had smuggled for me sitting on the nightstand. But it wasn’t the only object on the table. My throat tightened as I reached for the crystal apple.
I’d hidden the decoration in the vanity drawer when I first arrived, but now it was back. Someone had been in my room and returned the apple to its spot on the nightstand. To make matters worse, Vivian’s medallion was gone.
Had I knocked it off by accident?
I dropped to my knees to make sure it hadn’t fallen under the bed, but it wasn’t there.
Who had been in my room? And more importantly, why?
