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Chapter 1.
JAYDY.
Hot tears burned my eyes, but I laughed them away instead of letting them fall. Today wasn’t a day for sadness, quite the opposite. My best-friend in the whole world was marrying her high-school sweetheart, and most of the magical community had turned out to celebrate.
When Maverick’s father, the High Warlock of Salem said the final words of the wedding ceremony, a hush fell over the crowd. There had been a promise made, and the whole room filled with the magic of their love.
Maverick cupped Pansy’s face and kissed her passionately in front of the whole world, something Pansy had feared would never happen. The immense crowd surged to their feet, including me, and we all cheered for the happy couple.
The newlyweds turned to face us and held up their hands in a show of unity and celebration. They’d made it.
My beautiful friend had a smile that could outshine the sun, and I couldn’t blame her. She looked truly amazing. Her dark hair had been magically colored to include pink and white highlights which went with the theme of the wedding. Flowers covered her from head to toe, making her look like a real-life fantasy princess. Tiny rose buds were woven through her hair, and twisted across her bodice, then trailed down her long skirts. Even her wedding dress was a pure, soft pink! She was... Pansy perfect.
Still holding hands, Maverick and Pansy ran down the aisle together and into the reception area behind us.
We followed behind them as a large group, filtering out into the huge ballroom, filled with tables, flowers, and music.
I stopped in the center of the room and stood still, absorbing the beauty and wonder all around me. I was still looking for my own man, my own happily ever after. And a pervasive loneliness that came with the absence of love ate away at me every day, to the point where I struggled to push away. But not today.
Today, I was filled with nothing but pure happiness for my dearest friend. She deserved this love more than anyone I knew. And I was thrilled to find out I’d been seated at the family table, next to Pansy’s mom and dad. I wouldn’t have to deal with my parents—who’d mercifully been placed toward the back of the room—or any of the power-hungry warlocks who’d been flown in from the London head office.
I wasdonewith warlocks, and most witches for the most part, though Pansy’s parents were the exception. “So, how was Australia?” I asked Pansy’s mom, Mary, after I’d sat down beside her at the family bridal table.
She was watching the newlyweds dancing happily on the dance floor to the music playing softly around us. She turned toward me with a big smile. “Oh, it was amazing. It was all sandy beaches and lovely people. There was not a lot of magics, of course, but we weren’t looking for other witches or warlocks, anyway.”
No, unlike my parents, Mary and Stephen didn’t have a lot of power or magic. They lived their lives similar to the way most humans did and were so much happier for it.
Pansy’s uproarious laugh caught my attention, and I looked toward the dance floor again.Damn, they were perfect together. “Do you know where they’re going on their honeymoon?” I asked.
Mary poured herself a glass of white wine and took a sip. “Hawaii, I think. But Maverick’s got money and magic aplenty, they can go anywhere they like.”
I raised my eyebrows at her. “That sounds a little... bitter, Mary.”
Mary shrugged. “Yeah... maybe. But Maverick broke my girls’ heart in high school, and I’m not sure I’ve ever forgiven him for it. He wasn’t there to see the pain he caused. I was the one left to help Pansy pick up the pieces.”
My heart went out to her for putting on a brave face, despite haboring anger towards the man who was now her son-in-law. I made a mental note to speak to Maverick about that in the near future.
I put my hand on Mary’s arm, loving her even more in the moment of honesty. “Well, I’ve done a little scrying on their future, just for my own piece of mind, and for what it’s worth? I’d encourage you to let that one rest, Mary. These two are going to be happy for a very long time to come.”
Mary stared at me with unshed tears glistening in her eyes. “Really?” she asked, her tone one of genuine hope.
I stood up and pulled Pansy’s mom into my arms for a big hug, “Really. You don’t have to worry. Our Pansy’s going to be a-okay. The past is in the past.”
Mary hugged me back tight, clearly relieved.
I held my tongue on offering further details. Mary and her husband, Stephen, didn’t have a lot of magic between them, but they had a great, earnest love.
Their daughter would truly have it all, but I wasn’t sure that was what Mary needed or wanted to hear. Pansy and her children would have magic—great magic—and they would have money. But most importantly, they would have more than enough love, certainly more than I’d ever known, and that was all her parents had to know.
Mary pulled back to sit down and dab her face.
I sat with her, magicking up a cocktail for my very single self. I was crying today. No matter what.
“And what about you, Jaydy?” Mary asked, reaching for the warm, fresh bread rolls. “What does your future hold?”
I took a sip of my espresso cocktail, then set it on the white linen tablecloth carefully. “I honestly don’t look into my own futures anymore. It’s too depressing.” Not to mention they changed all the time. And I couldn’t cope with feeling hopeful, then having those hopes dashed. It hurt too much.
Mary changed the subject without missing a beat. “Well, what are you doing for Christmas? It’s only a few weeks away now.”
