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“Not at all.”

“Then lead the way.” I lift my head higher and continue onward—technically, I’m the one leading, but I already know exactly what I want. I’ve been online shopping for the last two months.

I sit on the edge of the large king-sized bed, patting it happily. “This is the one.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

He leans in, caging me onto the bed. “You’re sure my bed isn’t good enough? You seem to have been enjoying it for the last… how long has it been?”

“Not long enough.” I brush my lips against his. “But I’m positive. With your stupid, gangly limbs? Please. You should have upgraded way sooner.”

“Hm. You’re probably right.” He stands upright and looks around for an employee.

At the end of the shopping trip, we take my chosen bed.

To our home.

Sterling began working on renovations for his cabin soon after I decided to stay in Starbrook, and when I step inside today, it’s practically brand new. The kitchen has an island now and is doubled in size, there’s an extra room for our magical books and supplies, and most importantly⁠—

I run into his bedroom, right into the walk-in closet he and his father added. “We could fit so many of me in here!”

“Then it should be big enough for your ridiculous shoe collection,” he calls from outside. “Come help me with the bed, won’t you?”

“Right. Sorry!”

He does most of the lifting, but I help him push the bed and place it on our new wooden bedframe—made by his delightful father.

As soon as the bed is in place, even without the sheets, I collapse and let out a happy sigh. When I look up at the glass on the roof, the stars smile down at me. And even though they don’t talk to me anymore, I still know they love me.

They’re looking out for me.

And so is my dad.

“It’s perfect,” I breathe.

Sterling hovers over me. “We need to put a sheet on.”

“Probably.” I grab the front of his shirt and pull him in for a kiss instead.

TWO YEARS LATER—STERLING

Jewel stands at the head of the coven with us beside her, her fingers laced together. “And under this full moon, I officially name our two new coven leaders—Sterling and Aurora Poole-Seren.”

The coven erupts into applause, and I wrap my wife in a tight hug.

This isn’t how I saw my story ending. I always hoped to become a leader of the Starbrook coven, but it was supposed to be alone. I never could have imagined a sight as good as Aurora pulling away and looking at me with stars in her eyes.

“Well,” she says, “how does it feel to be head witch?”

“A thousand times better than I thought it would.” I hold her face. “Because you’re here.”