by Kate Moseman
“Are you really?”
Her eyes flashed. “Don’t make me tell you twice, demon.”
“In that case”—he helped her sit up—“I’m going to kiss the hell out of you, witch.”
“Not if I kiss you first.” She threw both arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his, the impact nearly knocking him over.
He recovered and plunged his hands into the tangle of her hair, cradling her head to brace her as he returned the kiss with equal fire.
Now that was the kind of argument he could live with.
EPILOGUE
Waves crashed on the beach as low tide dragged the water farther away from Raya’s lounge chair. She dug her toes into the soft, powdery sand and let the onshore breeze push her hair back.
It was good to be home.
“More sunscreen?” Phoenix held the bottle out from an adjacent lounge chair. “Wouldn’t want you to burn.”
Erin leaned over. “Raya’s in no danger of that. You put enough sunscreen on her to float the Titanic. Pass it over.”
Phoenix handed the bottle to Erin.
Erin took it and popped the cap.
From the lounge chair next to Erin, Andromalius sat up and snatched the bottle playfully. “That’s my job.”
Raya and Erin shared a smile as Andy smoothed the lotion over Erin’s shoulders.
“So—back to school.” Andy looked across to the other demon. “Whatever shall we do, Phoenix, while the ladies continue their gainful employment?”
Raya raised an eyebrow. “You mean besides the cooking and cleaning? We already know lawn work is a wash.”
“I tried to mow the lawn.” Phoenix pressed a hand to his chest in a play for sincerity. “Honestly. I don’t know why the lawn mower blew up.”
Raya scoffed. “Probably because you got Justinian to stick a sword in it for you.”
“I never!”
Raya grabbed him and pulled him closer. “Look me in the eye and lie, kitty cat—see what it gets you.”
“Oh, all right.” Phoenix disarmed her, as he often did, with a smile and a stolen kiss. “Her Royal Witchiness is right. I had an angel put the hellish torture device out of its misery.”
Andy chuckled as he applied more sunscreen to Erin’s back. “Out of your misery, more like.” He capped the bottle and stuck it in the sand. “I’m sure we can find ways to stay busy. Justinian isn’t going to wait forever for you to fulfill your promise.”
Phoenix groaned. “Must I?”
Raya fixed him with a look. “Why else do you think he’s been hanging around so much? It’s not just because he loves board game night—or destroying lawn mowers.”
“I’ll get right on it.” Phoenix leaned back and laced his fingers behind his head. “Soon.”
Erin took two water bottles from the cooler. “Have you heard from Lizzy?”
“She’s eager to come visit. And eager for us to come see her.” Raya took the bottle Erin offered. “She’s just eager, in general. That’s Lizzy.” She shrugged philosophically, opened the bottle, and took a drink of cold water.
Andy reached across the gap between him and Erin to take Erin’s hand affectionately. “Cosmo and Justine still in Paris?”
Raya nodded. “As far as we know.”
“So’s George,” added Phoenix. “God knows where that arrogant witch ended up. Dead, hopefully.”
“Bit harsh,” said Erin.
Phoenix barked a laugh. “Oh, what, like you’ve never had a death wish for someone? A certain rotter named Mark, perhaps?”
Erin’s lips curved in a quiet, satisfied smile. “Being Mark is its own punishment.”
“Hear, hear!” said Andy. “And the kitchen renovation is going to look great.” He winked.
Raya stared at the mesmerizing waves, watching the power of the water as it churned across the sand. “You should go to the next convention, Erin.”
“Me?”
Phoenix buried his face in his hands. “Not another witch. I can’t take more than one at a time. Please, Erin—ignore everything she says.”
“Shut up, demon.” Raya turned slightly to face Erin. “I mean it. I think you could benefit.”
Erin’s brow wrinkled in thought. “What if Nathan were there?”
Andy gasped. “He wouldn’t dare.”
Raya tilted her head back and forth as she considered how to respond honestly without scaring Erin off. “He might. But he’d be a fool to start something.” She settled back.
The foursome looked out to sea without speaking.
Phoenix broke the silence first. “If you were God, where would you hang out?”
Raya glanced at Erin and Andy, then took Phoenix’s hand, letting its warmth radiate into her fingers. She smiled. “Right here.”
If you believe age is just a number
and midlife is the perfect time for magic,
you’ll love Kate Moseman’s newest book,
Silver Spells!
amazon.com/dp/B088GN9M3C
About the Author
Kate Moseman is a writer, photographer, and recipe developer who lives in Florida with her family.
