“Of course I’m interested, but it’s up to you if you want to tell me.”
“Fine. I’m not saying anything.” He made the motion of zipping his lips. “I’m a closed book.”
I frowned and studied the light patterns in the water, uncertain how to continue.
“But I do owe you an explanation as I’ve needled you about your past.”
“No. Stop right there. You owe me nothing,” I informed him.
“Okay, but I was messing with you. I will share. Other than Calista, who met me when I arrived, I’ve never spoken to anyone about it.”
“Take your time.” Everyone in the Valley was here for a reason, though many of the witches and wizards had been hired to help Rosemary and her late husband create the township. But many of us in the witching community were just as damaged as the people who made their way here. “You mentioned your former mate a few days ago.”
“I had a great childhood, but my omega mother died from cancer and my alpha father remarried an omega I didn’t get along with. When I finished college, I got a job in hospital admin.” He paused.
“Is that where you met the guy?”
“Yeah. He was a doctor. He was smart and sexy, and the omega staff flocked round him. But we flirted and one thing led to another. After mating, we moved in together.”
He gulped, and I reached out and stroked his shoulder.
“But he was an addict. He stole meds from the hospital, blamed it on other people, got away with it, until he didn’t and got fired. He stole money from me, and when I pissed him off, he screamed and hurled abuse.”
“He put his hands on you?” I wanted to find the alpha and tie him in knots—literally.
“No. Just yelled and swore a lot. I tried to leave many times, but you know. And finally one night, I couldn’t take it anymore. I walked out of the house saying there was an emergency at work. And I found my way here.”
“Oh, Miles. I had no idea it was so awful.” My heart shattered into tiny pieces as I thought of him being alone and subjected to emotional turmoil. ‘If you tell me his name, I can give him a pig’s tail or make him fart nonstop or turn him into a cockroach.”
He giggled. “Is that allowed?”
“I doubt it, but I’d break the rules for you. You deserve so much more than him.”
“Charlie.”
I moved closer, my eyes roaming over his body, glistening with lake water. I gazed at the droplets streaming over his chest and disappearing along his happy trail. I didn’t want this omega as a friend. Wishing I could see if we had a future together, I fisted one hand under the water and flicked water onto Miles’ chest as the lake rippled around us.
“Charlie?”
“Ummm.” I was getting sleepy from the heat and my eyes closed. But I had to stay awake in case Miles wanted to share more details about his past.
He nudged me. “Is that you?”
“Hmmm?”
“Something’s touching my leg.”
The panic in the omega’s voice had me snapping my eyes open. “No. Why?”
The expression on Miles’ face went from dismay to terror. He yelled as a tentacle wrapped itself around his shoulder.
“Don’t run.” I hadn’t seen it coming and my magic couldn’t undo what was happening.
“Who. Gives. A. Shit. About. Running,” he panted.
I put an arm round the omega’s shoulder and tapped the curled limb. Two huge eyes poked up above the water. “You’re scaring my friend, Cyril.”
The octopus blinked and stroked the omega’s face. In reality, it was a sweet gesture, but Miles was terrified.
“Let him go, Cyril.” The octopus grinned at the omega, whose face was frozen in a silent scream. “Go on.”
Cyril shrugged and released his grip. I high-fived him, before he disappeared into the depths. There was no point trying to soothe Miles with words. His teeth were chattering and his body convulsed with shivers.
I pulled him out of the water and wrapped my coat around him. “W-hat w-would h-have h-happened if I’d run?”
“He would have assumed it was a game and you wanted to play.”
“W-What?”
“Come on. Let’s get you home.” But as we hurried through the dark streets, I made a decision. We’d had a lot of fun these past nine days and a few oops. After the incident with the Christmas trees, the omega had insisted we continue. But his horrified face at the lake was imprinted on my mind. I couldn’t and wouldn’t do that to him again.
After bundling him inside his house and waiting while he showered, I pondered how Miles had changed my life in a little over a week. I wanted him with me. All day. Every day. But I couldn’t see him hurt, especially when I was the cause.
“This has to stop, Miles.”
Ten
December Tenth: Miles
The old clock ticking on the wall caught my attention as I walked toward Charlie while toweling my hair dry. “It’s midnight. Beginning of a new day.”
“Great.”
That downcast voice. Charlie could go to a dark place sometimes. All those memories must weigh him down. And while my troubled past was receding, I was sometimes haunted by dreams and voices that reminded me of Jason. “It’s late, but I need a whisky to warm me up. Want one?” I inquired.
“No, thanks.”
I sat opposite him and sipped my drink. It burned my throat as it slid down. I wanted to ignore what he’d said about stopping. Does he mean us?
Charlie stood, with his hands in his pockets, and paced over the floor. When did he get dressed? Was I so out of it at the lake that I didn’t notice? Weird.
“I’m so sorry about Cyril. He normally keeps to himself but I think he’s lonely. He doesn’t have a mate.”
“That’s awful.”
“What happened to you was bad, and I’m the one responsible.” He took a deep breath and kneeled at my feet. What is he doing? “I can’t see you anymore.”
The future I’d imagined but not dared hope for, collapsed around me, each piece crumbling until it was nothing more than dust. “I don’t understand. Did I do something wrong?”
He pointed out the window. “How can you ask that? Have you forgotten what happened earlier?”
I tucked my feet under me and hugged a cushion. “It was scary, but while I was in the shower, I realized something.”
“That you’re a fool for hanging out with me and I’ll give you a heart attack if it continues?”
“Stop it, Charlie. Feeling sorry for yourself is the easy way out.”
“Fine!” He brushed the hair from his forehead but I couldn’t take my eyes off of the scruff on his chin. “But I won’t do that to you, Miles.”
“Sometimes we have to face our fears,” I explained as I downed another mouthful of whisky. It sounded lame even to my ears.
“That’s ridiculous and you know it. Facing your fears refers to applying for a new job or taking a chance on an idea or learning a new skill. It’s not having a tree threaten you or a watery creature from the depths cuddle you.”
“But it taught me something about myself,” I explained. “You told me not to run and I trusted you. I’ve had a hard time doing that lately so that’s a huge step for me.”
He made a face but I ignored him and continued. “And we have to do something about Cyril. He’s obviously lonely.”
“I’m not going to give him a cuddle, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Not you. But he definitely wants a hug. He needs a mate.” I get where he’s coming from. I was coming out of a bad relationship, but the past was fading, leaving me only with niggling little reminders.
And while I wasn’t actively looking for a mate, meeting Charlie when he scrambled the eggs had imprinted something in my mind. I couldn’t shake it off and didn’t want to.
“I agree about Cyril.” He nodded. “I’ll see to it. But I’m talking about us.”
There’s an us? I hope so. “You can’t get rid of me easily.” I puz
zled over how to get the warlock over his funk. Let’s do something at home tonight. You mentioned mince pies.”
“What about them?”
“We don’t eat them here but we can make them,” I suggested.
“I’m not much of a cook,” Charlie informed me.
“Nether am I, but I’m sure Arlo could help.”
I glimmer of a smile appeared on his lips. “Sure. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into one—or maybe ten.”
Ewww! “I’ll help, but don’t expect me to eat any. Mince is ground beef, right?”
“No. Well, yes it is. And these are sweet.”
“Sweet meat?” I groaned and rolled my eyes. “Gross.”
He laughed. No, that wasn’t the right word. He chortled and it was gorgeous. “You’ve got it wrong, Miles. They used to have meat in them but now they’re made of spices and dried fruit. And our cook added apple and brandy. And the top of the pie is sprinkled with powdered sugar.” His eyes lit up.
“Sounds better, but I’m not convinced. I’ll message Arlo in the morning.”
As Arlo worked part-time, he went shopping while I was at the office. He couldn’t find everything on my list but Hugo helped him by conjuring up the remaining ingredients.
Arlo arrived at my place at the same time I did after work. “So.” He screwed up his nose. “Mince pies.”
I glanced over my shoulder, making sure Charlie wasn’t here. “They don’t sound appetizing. But they’re not made of ground beef.”
“Hugo’s excited and wants me to bring some home. Henry VIII loved them, apparently. Back then, they were made of meat and plenty of fat.”
“Ewww,” we both groaned.
“But we must be supportive.” Arlo placed the shopping bags in the kitchen and glanced around. “This isn’t very Christmassy, Miles.”
“I haven’t had time.”
“Good thing I brought decorations.”
While I changed out of my work clothes, Arlo buzzed around the room draping tinsel over furniture and placing baubles and stars on the mantlepiece.
“Wow!” I eyed Arlo’s handiwork. “You’ve transformed the place. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
As Charlie hadn’t turned up, I pressed Arlo for information. “Can I ask you about Gerald?”
“Sure.”
“I haven’t met him but I sense him judging me for spending so much time with Charlie.”
“Really?” Arlo patted my shoulder. “I’m sure that’s not true.”
“Witches and wizards and their familiars have a close relationship, and maybe Gerald thinks I’m trying to get between them. Especially during these few weeks when he’s sort of on vacation.” I thought for a moment. “What does a bat do on holiday?”
The omega put his head close to mine. “I guess he’s just winging it.”
I clapped a hand over my mouth and sniggered. “Don’t tell Charlie. Not sure he’d get the joke.”
Arlo closed one eye and leaned in close. “Tell me about you and the wonky warlock.”
I stuck my head in the fridge and pretended to search for something. “There’s nothing to say.”
“Come on. The whole town’s talking about it.”
“Really?” I squeaked
“Yes. Now spill, Miles.”
“Honestly, there’s nothing. Initially I felt sorry for him. He was downcast and I was determined to help.”
“And now?”
A knock at the door had Arlo furrow his brow before I let Charlie in. The wizard studied the ingredients on the table. “This reminds me of helping Cook in the weeks before Christmas.”
Arlo and I shared a glance. “I didn’t realize you were a mince pie expert, Charlie.” The omega pointed to the tablet. “I found a recipe.”
Charlie rubbed his hands together. “I’m excited. Let’s get started.”
I opened the brandy and swigged a few mouthfuls as the omega and wizard discussed the consistency of pastry. Charlie rolled it out while Arlo and I made the ‘mince’ mixture by mixing spices and raisins, currants, candied peel, sugar, apple, lemon zest, brandy and something called suet.
I poked at it with a spoon “What’s that?”
Charlie piped up, “Beef fat.”
I faked a smile but inwardly my stomach was heaving.
“Hugo got it. I couldn’t find any in the supermarket,” Arlo noted.
“This calls for a celebration.” I handed the brandy to Arlo and he gulped a mouthful and Charlie did the same. I giggled, as I had no head for alcohol.
Arlo was tipsy as he sloshed more brandy in the bowl. “You two make a great pair,” he observed.
I couldn’t look at Charlie so I gulped more wine—or was it brandy. I couldn’t recall. “Pfft.” I picked up the tablet and read the recipe. “Oops. The brandy isn’t supposed to be added now.”
Charlie held up his hands. “That wasn’t my doing. Nope.”
I giggled.
“Can you help, Charlie?” Arlo pleaded.
“Fine,” he huffed. He waved his hand over the mixture and the brandy flew into the bottle. He scratched his head. “Our cook used to leave the mixture overnight.”
Arlo peered at the recipe. “Double oops. You’re right.” He chuckled. “We’ll have to come back tomorrow evening. This calls for another drink.”
Charlie wrapped the pastry in saran wrap and put it in the fridge as my omega friend and I swallowed more brandy..
“Same time, same place tomorrow?” Arlo asked, his eyes glazed and unfocused.
“Sure,” I replied. “Bring Hugo and Poppy and I guess Fred too. The mince mixture has to go in a warm oven but I’ll do that before you get here.”
“I’ll bring wine,” Arlo slurred.
“And I’ll walk you home, Arlo,” Charlie told him as I peered at the pile of washing up. “Night, Miles.” The warlock clicked his fingers and invisible hands washed, dried and put the dishes in the cupboard.
“Night.”
Eleven
December Eleventh: Charlie
Based on the amount of alcohol we’d consumed the previous night, I lugged a box of food to Miles’ place. Soup, lasagna and salad. That should be enough to line our stomachs.
As I walked the streets, I thought about what Arlo had said about Miles and me making a great pair. The omega and I were friends. Today was December 11, and to my horror we were almost half way through our journey. At this time of year, I normally hid myself away until Christmas Day. I wasn’t depressed, but definitely down, and my mood was sullen.
Now I was upbeat, and while I occasionally jumped at an unexpected sound and glanced over my shoulder wondering what could go wrong, I had confidence I’d get through this. And having the omega at my side had been a huge part of that.
I worried I hadn’t given Miles enough support regarding his past and I made a mental note to discuss it with him. But I had no more time to dissect our relationship as I’d reached Miles’ gate and Hugo and family were coming up the street.
“Charlie!”
I waved and once we were inside, Miles inspected the food. “Thank you. And we’ll have mince pies for dessert.”
But I hardly heard what he said. I inhaled the divine aroma that wafted through the house. Nutmeg, sugar, apple and raisins combined. “This reminds me of my family. Thank you.” I clarified. “My blood family. But the people in this room are my Vale Valley family. I want to make a toast to Miles, as none of this would be possible without him. You came here alone, but I hope you’ll accept our motley bunch as your new family, Miles.”
Arlo’s lips quivered, and Miles nudged me. “Warts and all?”
That broke the tension, and everyone laughed, though I didn’t dare glance at the omega, fearing what I might witness in his eyes.
Arlo made a suggestion. “As the two wizards are the mince pies experts, you can finish them, while Miles and I open the wine and heat up dinner.” He waggled his finger. “And no cheating, meaning no witchcraft.”
After the pies were in the oven and Poppy fell asleep, the adults sat down to dinner. It had been a long time since I’d shared a meal with a small group of friends at Christmas time.
“Where’s Fred?” Miles asked.
“He’s singing Christmas carols.”
The omega snorted and almost choked on a mouthful of lasagna. “Are you serious?”
Arlo replied, “Oh, yes. He’s in an amphibian choir. Can’t recall the name.”
“Oh, so that was the noise outside the hospital earlier. Calista was furious,” Miles added.
Hugo interrupted, “That witch is tone deaf. Can’t appreciate good music.” He removed the pies from the oven, and the four of us inspected them.
“They look better than I imagined,” Miles noted. But when he stood near me, his aroma mingled with the food and I gripped the countertop as my legs swayed. He gave me an odd look.
Hugo produced a bottle of sherry and I made a toast. “To family.”
“Family.”
I took a sip and picked up a tiny mince pie. Miles had shaken powdered sugar on the top and I inhaled the delicate scent.
“What are you waiting for?” The omega elbowed me in the ribs. “Dig in.”
I hoped I wouldn’t be disappointed. “They’ll be delicious, I’m sure.”
Miles put his hand over mine. “They may not the same as the ones you were used to, but you can make new memories, Charlie. With us. Your new family.”
Right. Here we go. I sunk my teeth into the pie. The pastry was light and fluffy and the buttery flavor flooded over my tongue. It was firm but crumbled as I bit into it and then my mouth was flooded with the spicy, sweet fruit flavor of the filling.
Three pairs of eyes stared at me as I chewed and swallowed.
“Well? Don’t keep us in suspense?” Hugo demanded.
“Delicious. Superb. Perfection.” I wiped my lips with a napkin. “Thank you. And you were right, Miles. They’re not exactly the same, but as scrumptious as they are, the process of baking them was almost as good as eating them. Especially making them with the three of you.”
Witching You a Merry Christmas Page 5