Page 11 of They Were Broom-Mates

“I’m… confused.” Amelie got out as she looked back and forth between the two witches.

“I can imagine.” Regina nodded, a smile still playing at her lips. “Though, I must admit you picked up on everything much more quickly than I’d anticipated.”

Taking a couple of steps back, Regina reached into her pocket and pulled out a twenty-dollar bill, sliding it across the table to Hestia, who took it with glee, placing it somewhere in the depths of her cleavage.

“What…” Amelie’s brow furrowed as she watched the exchange. “Are you two messing with me?”

“No. Of course not.” Regina leaned onto the kitchen counter, eyes never leaving Amelie. “We just made a bet to see how long it would take you to realize that Hestia and I were sleeping together. My flirtations with you were nothing less than genuine.”

“See, Regina here thought that it would take you a little longer, but we aren’t very subtle about it, and I knew you’d be smarter than that.”

Amelie’s mouth dropped open as she watched Regina nod and make her way over to the seat that the blonde had set out for her.

“Is this coffee?” Regina peered at the second pot that was sitting in front of the butter Amelie had laid out.

It was all Amelie could do to nod in response as Regina made a happy noise of approval, pouring herself a cup.

“I never understood how you liked that bean water.” Hestia made a face as she sipped her tea again. “Though I have grown more accustomed to the flavor since you taste like it so often.”

Regina laughed and took a sip of her black coffee, her fingers wrapping delicately around the cup. “One of these days I will convert you; I just have to Pavlov you to associate the taste of coffee with the sensation of kissing me.”

Hestia wrinkled her nose and took a bite of egg. “That’s why you’re going to brush your teeth when we are done here, before you get anywhere near me.”

Amelie steadied herself and shook her head, her brain finally supplying words.

“So, you’re not messing with me, but you are together.” Amelie poured herself a cup of tea, mixing in a couple spoonfuls of sugar. “How does that work exactly?”

Hestia finished her eggs and sat back in her seat, picking up her teacup again. “Exactly that. We aren’t monogamous, so if Regina wants to flirt with you… or if I do…” Hestia winked in Amelie’s direction. “It’s perfectly fine.”

“Oh,” Amelie replied smartly. She’d never really dated much outside of a few first dates here and there, but she’d always just sort of assumed that, like most people, she would find someone, settle down, get married, and live happily ever after.

“Let me know if you ever want to talk about any of it.” Hestia got up, a smile playing at her lips. “But I have to go reinforce the border illusion, so if you need me, I’ll be in my room.”

Regina moved forward, but Hestia caught the other witch by the cheeks. “Uh-uh. Not before you’ve brushed your teeth, coffee witch.”

Regina’s tinkling laughter floated through the air like bells as Hestia let go, blew the taller of the two a kiss, and then took off back toward the hallway, disappearing through the doorway.

Amelie watched Regina as she settled back down into her seat and turned her attention back to the blonde. When she reached for the coffee pot to pour herself another cup, Regina tilted her head.

“So.” Regina began. “Any thoughts on what we’ve just told you?”

Amelie hummed, drumming her fingers rhythmically on the marble countertop. She kept waiting to feel disappointed, led on, or maybe frustrated at the situation, but no matter how long she waited, none of those feelings came.

“Well…” Amelie measured her response. “I’d like to continue getting to know both of you, whether or not anything will come out of any of that remains to be seen, but I’m willing to continue on as we have been so far.”

Regina’s grin returned as she took another sip of her coffee. “Good.”

Chapter five

Amelie had waited two more hours in the kitchen after Hestia had left. Regina kept her company for part of that but eventually had to retreat to her chambers to do her daily duties. Even so, regardless of how long Amelie waited, there was still no sign of Delia.

By the time Amelie finally made the decision to try and bring breakfast to the graveyard witch, all the dishes had been done, Amelie had finished the pot of tea she’d made, and had already started making preparations for lunch. Staring out the window at the mausoleum, Amelie chewed her lip as her fingertip traced the edge of the plate in consideration. It wasn’t until Truffle got tired of waiting for the blonde to make a decision and scurried off, presumably in search of another familiar to play with, that Amelie finally took action.

Pouring a cup of coffee, Amelie mixed in some milk and sugar and grabbed a scone, setting off toward the cemetery. As it had been yesterday, the graveyard was bleak and foggy; headstones overgrown with ivy and moss littered the landscape, and despite being only a few steps from the cathedral itself, the vibe felt completely different. Amelie couldn’t be sure, but as she stepped past the first couple of wrought-iron gates she thought that the ambient temperature dropped several degrees.

Pausing at the door to the mausoleum, Amelie took a deep breath and called out into the space.

“Delia? You there?”