Magic & Mishaps Read online

  I clasped her hand in mine. “Whatever is happening with you right now, I promise you it’s only temporary.”

  Her blue eyes peered into mine. “How can you be so sure?”

  “Because you are Marley Rose,” I said. “Yes, things have come easily to you in the past, but you also work very hard. You’ve never been content to rest on your laurels. You like to challenge yourself, to be the best Marley you can be. It’s one of the many things about you that I find so inspiring.”

  Marley squeezed my hand. “You think I’m inspiring? Like Rosa Parks or Edith Wilson?”

  “Well, maybe not yet, but…” I stopped. “Who’s Edith Wilson?”

  “The second wife of former president Woodrow Wilson,” Marley said. “Duh.”

  I released her hand. “So she’s inspirational because she married a president?”

  “Mom, that’s so sexist. Edith Wilson basically ran the executive branch of the country after President Wilson suffered a stroke.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever heard that story,” I said.

  Marley rolled her eyes. “Google is your friend, Mom.”

  I cut a glance at the unicorn. “So you’re trying to change Firefly’s color?”

  Marley shrugged. “I wanted to practice a basic color change spell. I thought if I were alone that I’d feel more confident and that would help me do it right.” She heaved a sigh. “Didn’t work.”

  “I think you’ve just hit the nail on the head,” I said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Your confidence has taken a hit,” I said. “You have zero experience rebounding from that. You’ve always known how capable you are.”

  “Except for heights,” Marley said. “And being alone in the dark.”

  “Those are fears,” I said. “That’s different. I’m talking about your skills. Practicing magic is a demonstration of your abilities and you’ve always been a very able child.” I placed an arm around her. “But you’ve only just come into your magic. You’re finding your footing. These other witches and wizards have been around magic their whole lives. Even though they couldn’t do it, they’re comfortable with it. Do you know what I mean?”

  Marley sniffed and nodded. “I think so.”

  “You’re going to be an incredible witch,” I said. “My gut tells me so.”

  “And your gut is always right,” Marley said. “You told me before that the only regrets in life you’ve ever had are the times you ignored your gut.”

  I gave her a firm nod. “Still true.” Alec was a perfect example. My gut told me from the beginning that he was the one I really wanted to be with, but I ignored it in an effort to take the safer route—and I ended up hurting Granger in the process.

  “Do you think we have some sort of One True Witch intuition?” Marley asked. “That would be awesome.”

  “I don’t know who to give credit to for that,” I said. “I’m just glad I have it working in my favor.”

  Marley retrieved her wand. “Do you want to help me with this spell?”

  Gratitude washed over me. I wasn’t always the best mom in the world, but when I did something right—sweet baby Elvis did it feel good.

  “I would love to,” I said. “I won’t promise immediate success, but I bet you we’ll see major progress before long.” And the sooner I figured out the whole story behind Ivy’s wand, the faster that progress would likely be.

  Marley’s smile broadened. “Between you, Artemis, and everyone else who wants to show me the ropes, I’ll be the most advanced witch at the Black Cloak Academy in no time.”

  “We all want to help you succeed,” I said. “We’re all Team Marley.”

  She threw her arms around my waist. “I love you, Mom.”

  I kissed the top of her head. “Same. Now, which color are you trying to do?”

  Firefly whinnied. Maybe the unicorn wasn’t too thrilled with the idea.

  “Purple,” Marley said. “And if we’re feeling cocky, maybe throw in a few white polka dots.”

  “You know what to do,” I said. “Here, use my wand instead.”

  “Why?” Marley asked. “Mine’s right here.”

  I swapped wands. “I’d like to try your special wand for a change,” I lied. “Now, focus your will and aim your wand. Be sure to concentrate on the outcome. Visualize Firefly as a purple unicorn…with white polka dots.”

  Marley aimed my wand and said the magic words. She gasped with delight at the sight of the purple unicorn with white polka dots. “I did it!” She stomped her feet happily on the ground.

  “Of course you did,” I said. “You’re Marley Rose, first of her name. Daughter of Ember. Descendant of the One True Witch.”

  Marley groaned. “You were rewatching Game of Thrones again, weren’t you?”

  My smile faded. “Maybe.”

  “Can I borrow your wand for the rest of the day?” Marley asked. “I think it might be lucky.”

  “Go for it,” I said. “We need to be at Thornhold for dinner, don’t forget. Alec’s coming.”

  Marley cheered. “I’m going to show him what I can do.”

  “Do me a favor,” I said. “Practice a spell that allows us to sneak a doggy bag away from Aunt Hyacinth’s dining room for Raoul.”

  “Does stealing food count as positive attention?”

  “It does where Raoul is concerned.”

  She smiled. “Good point.”

  “Too bad Daniel and Emma leave in the morning,” I said. “It was nice having someone here who gets me.”

  It was late Sunday evening and Alec and I were back in Rose Cottage, snuggled on the sofa. PP3 had opted to sleep with Marley and Raoul and Bonkers were somewhere in the great outdoors, probably stirring up mischief.

  “I’m relieved she was there to help you with the banshee,” Alec said. “You need to start letting Sheriff Nash handle his own affairs.”

  “I’d intended to,” I said. “Somewhere along the way, that plan got derailed.”

  Alec stroked the back of my head. “Do you worry that he harbors deep resentment like Pam?”

  “Great Goddess, no,” I said. “Granger is nothing like Pam.” Despite how much I’d hurt him, I knew he would never want to see me suffer. That was love.

  “I figured you’d say as much.”

  “Daniel and Emma seem really happy together,” I said. When they were in a room together, it was like nothing else mattered. It was kind of reassuring to see that that kind of love existed.

  “They certainly do,” Alec agreed. “I’ll be quite interested to know more about the child, once he or she is born.”

  An image flashed in my mind of a smaller version of Alec in a bow tie and glasses. I had no idea why this imaginary offspring wore glasses since neither Alec nor I did, but I decided to go with it.

  “We could have an interesting child ourselves,” I said, laughing. “The descendent of the One True Witch and a vampire? Imagine the possibilities.” Aunt Hyacinth would need to immerse herself in a swimming pool filled with smelling salts and gin if that ever happened.

  I’d only intended to make light of it, but Alec shifted his body to face me, his expression serious. “Do you regret not having any more children?”

  “Not really,” I said. “I was so young with Marley and then Karl died…” I squinted at him. “Do you regret not having any children?” It wasn't as though I was anywhere near menopause. A baby could still be in our future if we really wanted one, although the countdown was definitely on.

  “I haven’t given it much thought,” the vampire said. “Marley is a treasure, as we both know, but a child of my own? I don’t know.”

  I snuggled closer to him. “And that treasure would love a smaller treasure in the house, but it’s still early days for you and me. We don’t even live together. Throwing a baby in the mix would create too much stress on the relationship. Don't you think?”

  He tilted my head back and kissed me slowly. “I want you, Ember, and anything or anyone you bring
with you. Whether that's Marley, a raccoon, an aging dog, a flying kitten, or an additional child, I’m here for it. I’m here for all of it.”

  My heart pounded. “Do you think we’re the real deal, too?”

  “If I didn't, I wouldn't be here now.” His thumb stroked my cheek. “Do you worry that you’ve made the wrong choice?”

  “I know I didn't make the safe choice,” I said, “but no, I don't worry about it. The truth is I don't worry about anything when I'm with you. It's one of the things I love about you. The way I feel when we’re together—and the way I seem to make you feel.”

  “There’s no ‘seem’ about it,” he said. “With you, I feel like I’ve finally found my place in this world. It might seem absurd for a vampire to take so long to figure it out…” He faltered. “Child or no child, you’re the family I’ve always wanted, Ember.”

  My heart squeezed as I looked into those mesmerizing eyes of his. “I guess what they say is true.”

  “Enlighten me,” he said. “What do they say?”

  I nestled up against him. “There’s no place like home.”

  Keep an out for Magic & Maladies, the 10th book in the series!

  Also by Annabel Chase

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  Other Books By Annabel Chase—

  Spellbound

  Curse the Day, Book 1

  Doom and Broom, Book 2

  Spell’s Bells, Book 3

  Lucky Charm, Book 4

  Better Than Hex, Book 5

  Cast Away, Book 6

  A Touch of Magic, Book 7

  A Drop in the Potion, Book 8

  Hemlocked and Loaded, Book 9

  All Spell Breaks Loose, Book 10

  Spellbound Ever After

  Crazy For Brew, Book 1

  Lost That Coven Feeling, Book 2

  Wands Upon A Time, Book 3

  Charmed Offensive, Book 4

  Federal Bureau of Magic

  Great Balls of Fury, Book 1

  Fury Godmother, Book 2

  No Guts, No Fury, Book 3

  Grace Under Fury, Book 4

  Spellslingers Academy of Magic

  Outcast, Warden of the West, Book 1

  Outclassed, Warden of the West, Book 2

  Outlast, Warden of the West, Book 3