Chapter 46

Oh, my, I think we could be best friends now.”

“Let’s not head in that direction too fast.” Alicia hummed. “Though I’m beginning to see that witches aren’t so bad, after all.”

“Trust me. It’s just me. I’m marvelous.”

Mabel gazed at them in exasperation while Brian tried not to laugh amid his arousal. When he tugged her to him again, she tugged back. He sobered when he realized she was no longer teasing him, her expression solemn as she shook her head.

“What’s wrong, Em?”

“Nothing. But you have to stop kissing me in public.”

“I can’t help it. And that’s ridiculous.”

But Mabel shook her head again and became preoccupied, glancing around. Figures milled about outside the safe room, the voices calmer and no longer buzzing with chaos.

“Your folks,” she mumbled. “Your court. They will riot.”

And then it clicked: her worry, why she was avoiding another kiss, and what she was protecting him against. But Alan’s actions and the way the rest came together made everything fall into place, and he