“So, are you about ready to head out?” Kirin asks. “We should probably get going, or we’ll be late, and everyone will ask where we were, and we’ll have to tell them we got distracted making out in the library again…”
Kirin’s talking, but his words are a jumble in my mind. Right now, all I can see is the card that just dropped out of the deck.
I snatch it up before Kirin can see it, shoving the Hierophant in the middle of the deck and putting the whole stack into the file cabinets with the rest of the notebooks.
“Don’t tell me you forgot,” Kirin says, eyebrows raised in question.
“Forgot what?”
“Cass’s place? Harvest Eve dinner?”
“Oh, shoot!” I totally forgot. “I didn’t forget I just… I lost track of time.” I grab my bag and follow him toward the exit. “I just need to stop home first, change into my outfit, and get my mulling spices.”
“And get naked. I think you forgot that part.”
“Kirin! Didn’t you say something about being late?”
“Hey, if I have to traipse all the way back to Iron and Bone for a wardrobe change and some mulling spices, we’re going to take full advantage of the few minutes of alone time we can get.”
Thirty-Five
STEVIE
“Where were you guys?” Ani asks as we step into Doc’s apartment, slightly off-kilter and slightly more than fashionably late.
“Mulling spices!” Kirin and I blurt out at the same time.
“Sothat’swhat we’re calling it now?” Ani shakes his head and laughs, coming over to pull me in for a long, sweet kiss, and I relax into his embrace, letting the festive mood take over. The warm scents of fresh bread and cinnamon fill the apartment, reminding me of past Harvest Eves. And even though my heart hurts to know Jessa’s not here with me, I’m still so happy to be celebrating today—so happy we’re here to celebrate atall, given the brewing storm with the Dark Arcana and everything that’s going on outside Academy walls.
So many witches and mages don’t have the luxury of celebrating tonight, or they’re doing so from behind bars. That sobering realization was almost enough to make me stay home, but in the end, I wanted to be with my family. Celebrating with them tonight, reflecting on what we’re grateful for… It’s the best way I know to honor this holiday.
As Ani twirls me around and whistles his approval for my Harvest Eve dress—a strapless wine-colored little number that flares out above the knee, paired with a sheer black scarf and black lace-up boots—I let out a laugh, the burdens of the day drifting away on the warm, pumpkin-pie-scented air.
“So, did you finish your assignment?” I ask Ani as we head into the kitchen to start the mulled wine. Despite his upbeat mood, he looks a little tired, dark circles shadowing his eyes. I figure he probably pulled an all-nighter or something, but then he just cocks his head, his brow knitting in confusion.
“Gems and crystals?” I remind him, pouring a few bottles of red wine into the pot.
“What? Oh, right. Yes! Yes, I did finish. Took a lot longer than expected.”
I narrow my eyes, sensing a spike of tension in his energy, but the sound of the front door opening saves Ani from further grilling.
“Happy Harvest Eve, heathens,” comes the boisterous greeting.
I don’t need to turn around to know it’s Baz. His voice sends shivers up and down my spine, kicking my heart into overdrive.
I focus on the wine, refusing to budge. Refusing to even acknowledge his presence. Because if I turn around and look into those red-brown eyes and see so much as one tinyshredof the cold, lifeless man who walked out on us last night, I won’t survive it. Not tonight. Not again.
But suddenly the air shifts behind me, and a pair of strong, warm hands slides over my bare shoulders. My breath hitches, and Baz leans in close, brushing a feather-light kiss to my earlobe.
“I’m so, so sorry,” he says, his voice low. “I honestly don’t know what the fuck is going on with me lately, and yeah, we probably need to talk about it. But all that aside…” He nuzzles the sensitive skin behind my ear—a favorite spot for both of us—and I already feel my resolve crumbling. “I just need you to know how much I love you, Stevie. Don’teverdoubt that. Because if you doubt that for evenonesecond, I swear—”
I cut him off, turning around and stretching up on my toes to kiss him. He melts against my mouth, his arms sliding around my waist, pulling me close.
When I finally break for air, I take a chance and look up into his eyes.
And there, gazing back at me, is Baz Redgrave. TherealBaz Redgrave. Haunted, confused, and completely exhausted, but whole. Happy.
At least for the moment.
