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That’s another concern, perhaps even more worrisome than someone knowing Aurora’s secret. The people in our little town tend to run away with things.
“Of course not.” Jewel chuckles. “But you seem to be getting along better lately.”
Aurora relaxes, but it only lasts a moment before her spine is ramrod straight again.
Jewel continues. “I take it you brought me here to share news about the event. It’s rare for you two to be the ones seeking me out, you know.”
There’s no need to. Jewel has a tidy schedule, and we’re both usually on the calendar. But she’s right, we have something to share.
Aurora nods rigidly. “We wrote the spell, and we wanted to get your opinion on it before the ritual.”
The event is a few days away, which is probably why Aurora seems so worked up. I would normally be running around like a madman this time of the year as well, but it’s been nice to have an extra person to help out. Antoni has been doing better lately, and Aurora has been happy to email and call vendors and assist with the booth organization chart.
I should probably be afraid—it’s proof she could take my job if she wanted it—but instead it’s left me relaxed. As reluctant as I was, I think the changes she’s suggested will make this harvest festival our best yet.
She slips the written spell—one she wrote on her own—to Jewel. Even if Aurora can’t actively practice magic, the spell is beautiful. One is written in ancient Greek, with a second translated into English so the majority of the town can understand. Jewel reads over the English one, her silver spectacles slipping down her nose.
“This is lovely.” She slides the paper back. “You have my approval. Is there anything else you need?”
“That would be all,” I say, standing up, my hand resting on the back of the couch, far too close to Aurora’s perfumed hair. “We’re still working on organizing the booth layout, so we’ll probably work on that.”
“Together?” She lifts an eyebrow, a smile curling onto her lips. “I didn’t imagine you would be helping with the rest of the event, Aurora.”
She shrugs. “This guy needs my help. How was I supposed to keep letting him flounder?”
My lips part.
Aurora seems to quickly realize her mistake, laughing and waving a hand. “Just kidding. He was doing great, but some extra hands can help.”
Her lifeline seems stronger today, though I only let myself check for a moment. Making sure people are still living is a strange compulsion. It’s the only upside of my magic.
“You seem like a fantastic volunteer,” Jewel says. “Thank you both for all of your hard work.” She gives me a knowing look—she isn’t taking Aurora’s teasing seriously. Hopefully.
The last thing I need is Jewel thinking I’m incompetent.
“Sorry,” Aurora whispers as we shut the office door behind us.
The moment we’re alone, I laugh, my shoulders shaking. “You really are a terror. Always trying to get me into trouble.”
“I swear I wasn’t!”
“Are you even on the town’s payroll? You’ve been doing an awful lot of work.”
“Aren’t you my boss?” She smirks. “You should probably put me on the payroll, sir.”
Gods…
Does she know what she does to me when she says things like that? Sir. My pants tighten in an instant, and I do my best to think of anything else. Overcooked potions and the rancid, burned smell of them. Spells backfiring into boils. Anything but her sinful voice calling me that.
“Don’t…” I inhale through my nose, and her sweet scent smacks me right in the face, traveling lower and lower until it melts in the pit of my stomach. “Actually, maybe you should ask Jewel for a job instead.”
I can’t explain why I don’t want Aurora to work for me. We only slept together once, years ago, and our current relationship is strictly professional, but being her boss would feel like a weird power imbalance. That’s especially true when she looks up at me with her doe eyes, the picture of confusion.
“I already have an assistant,” I say slowly. “But Jewel doesn’t, and she hasn’t for a while. Ask her if she’s looking for one.”
Maybe I’m sabotaging myself. I shouldn’t want Aurora and Jewel to get any closer. She already has an edge on me because of her father’s ties to the town and Jewel. But I don’t want to be Aurora’s boss.
She taps her nose and nods, grinning. “You’re right. Working for the big boss would be a step up anyway.”
