by Sarah Bailey
She was silent for a moment. She’d been worried for no reason. If only she’d just told him, she wouldn’t have had to go through all this heartache over telling him she loved him.
Lesson learnt. Always speak to boyfriend about anything related to magic.
“Well, I suppose that means I love you because you’re you even if you drive me crazy.”
He grinned, brushing his thumb over her bottom lip.
“Oh, I think I’m more than okay with that. Driving you crazy with longing is most definitely on my daily to do list.”
“Pity that’s not the only way you drive me crazy.”
He put his hand on his heart.
“Always wounding me with your cutting words.”
“Whatever, you love it really.”
He leant down, placing a gentle kiss on her lips. She smiled when he pulled away.
“I didn’t think it’d be this hard to say goodbye. I mean, I saw him in Hell, but this feels final. His last wish.”
She opened the lid, looking down at the ashes. It was time.
“Should we walk?”
He nodded, taking the lid from her and curling his other hand into hers. They set off against the breeze so the ashes wouldn’t blow into them. She looked down at the urn again.
“Dad, I know it wasn’t always easy for you to raise me, but I’m grateful for everything you did for me. I wish you weren’t in Hell, but you accepted the consequences of your actions and for that, I’m proud to be your daughter.”
She tipped the urn slightly in her hand, allowing the ashes to scatter behind them.
“Ophelia was sentenced to live out her days with her magic frozen, unable to move. I suppose the punishment is fitting for what she did to Lacey and tried to do to everyone else. At least I didn’t have to make that decision. I hope you don’t worry about me down there and you know that I’m being taken care of.”
She looked up at Alistair. He had a small smile playing on his lips.
“Goodbye, Dad. I’ll always love you.”
She tipped the last of the ashes out which blew away on the wind. She turned back to watch them. The particles of dust permeated the air behind them. She’d returned her father to the earth like he’d always wanted.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“Yes. It’s what he wanted and I should’ve done it months ago, but I wasn’t ready to let go.”
He brushed her hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear.
“I’m sure he understands.”
She took the lid from him, placing it back on the urn before she tucked it into her backpack. She looked back up.
“Thank you for coming with me.”
“I said I would. I could never let you do this alone. Not something this important to you.”
“What did I ever do to deserve you?”
He shook his head, grinning at her, sapphire eyes twinkling in the sunlight.
“I’m here because I love you. You deserve the world, Grace. I just want to be enough for you.”
“You are. I don’t need the world. Just you. Only you. Always.”
He pulled her close, cupping her cheek with one hand.
“Then that’s what you’ll have.”
He grinned, the sunlight dappling across his cheeks as they stood under the shade of a tree. She reached up, running her fingers through the hair on the back of his head. There wasn’t another soul in sight as they stood staring into each other’s eyes. He leant down, kissing her gently. Happiness filled her chest and expanded across her limbs. Months ago, she’d not been able to allow anyone close to her. Now, she had the most beautiful man she’d ever seen in her arms and he was hers and hers alone.
“I love you, Alistair.”
“I should hope so.”
She shoved him and he grinned.
“You, Grace, are the whole world to me and I’m never letting you go.”
She smiled back, brushing her fingers across his jaw.
“What, never?”
“No, you’re too cute, how can anyone resist that face of yours?”
The sunlight caught in his piercing blue eyes.
“Hmm… I’ll take that as a compliment. You’re lucky I love you.”
“Trust me, I know I am.”
He took her hand as they set off back the way they’d come. It was time for a new chapter in her life, with the man she loved.
I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you did, I would greatly appreciate a short review on Amazon or your favorite book website. Reviews are crucial for any author, and even just a line or two can make a huge difference.
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Playlist
Made to Find You - Belle Mt
Harder Than Easy - Jack Savoretti
Beyond the Sun - Shinedown
Beautiful - Bazzi
Hearts - Jessie Ware
Kicks (Acoustic) - Au/Ra
J.O.Y - Martin Luke Brown
Love You Like No Other - Jake Wesley Rogers
What is Love - Jaymes Young
Mine - Bazzi
Always - Gavin James
Doubt - Elisabeth Ehrnrooth, Benn
Tread Lightly - Forest Blakk
Yours - Ella Henderson
Acknowledgements
Thank you for reading this book. As an indie author, reviews are very important to me. I hope you consider leaving one if you enjoyed it.
Writing Grace and Alistair’s story was an absolute joy. I was a little worried about introducing two entirely new characters after the first two books had been so interlinked. When these two landed in my lap, I knew I’d made the right decision. Alistair, the cheeky witch, drove Grace crazy in a way I completely relate to. I think out of all my female characters, I feel closest to her because she’s a lot like me. I wanted to write a different kind of heroine, one who grew from a shy girl into someone confident. In that respect, Grace and I share a lot in common.
Alistair was the type of person she needed in her life. Whilst he was forever teasing her, he was also kind and considerate. He always put Grace first and that’s part of what made me fall in love with him. His banter had me in stiches at times.
I based Grace’s familiar off my own kitty, although sadly, Smudge passed away. When Grace and Alistair argue over him at his parent’s house, this was pretty similar to the conversations I’ve had with my husband. Forever jokingly complaining that I loved the cat more than him. Of course, I love Steve very much, but my kitties always hold a special place in my heart!
There’s a couple of people I’d like to thank who helped me with writing this book. My two best friends who I originally told the concept of Witching Night to. They encouraged me when I was writing this book and let me bounce my ideas off them. I will be forever grateful for them being in my life. Especially when I freaked out over various scenes and wondered if I’d given Grace and Alistair a fitting ending.
I’d also like to say a huge thank you to my mum. Whilst she might look a little similar in appearance to Ophelia, she was most definitely not the inspiration behind Grace’s mother. She’s the first person who gets to read these books when they’re done and has always encouraged me to keep going.
Lastly, I always thank my wonderful husband for putting up with me writing at all hours of the day and night. He is the most supportive person in my life and never complains that I spend more time with my characters than him. I doubt I’d be on this journey without him. I love you, Steve. Now and always.
Coming Soon
Cursed Heart
Attacked in the dark. A murderous psychopath. A shifter’s curse is so much more than turning at the full moon.
A night out turns into a full blown nightmare. If Rex, a feline shifter, hadn't come along, Izzy would've been done for.
When she discovers she's becoming a shifter herself, her life crumbles before her eyes. Being bitten is the least of her problems. Rex doesn't know what she’ll turn into and the person who attacked her is murdering girls. Izzy is the only one they left alive.
Come the full moon, Izzy turns to Rex for help when she wakes up in a pool of blood, unable to recall what happened. Soon she finds herself mixed up with shifters, witches and fairy magic. Despite being drawn to Rex, she’s reluctant to get close to her fellow shifter. Not when she’s got secrets of her own.
Will they find out who's behind the murders? Or will her attacker come back to finish the job?
Demon’s Destiny
Rescued by a demon. An offer she can’t refuse. Hell is on its way.
Walking home at night in the back streets of London was never a good idea. When her life is threatened, Ella Ward is saved in the nick of time, only to find Lukas is a bounty hunter from Hell. Trusting the enigmatic demon with her darkest secret, Ella is inexplicably drawn to Lukas. Fighting a mutual attraction, she accepts his offer of protection, only to be dragged headlong into a world she barely knew existed. A world where demons tangle with vampires and shifters and Hell literally breaks loose.
Together, they hunt down an artefact stolen from Hell. Close on their tail is the vampire mistress of London, bent on tearing apart the mystery surrounding who Ella really is. Without warning, Ella's unknown powers explode.
Can she survive the ensuing storm? Or will she lose her heart and soul in the process?
Out Now
Vampire’s Kiss
Stalked by a vampire. Propositioned by another. Revenge is a dish best served cold.
A supernatural stalker was not on Daisy’s bucket list. When best friend, Ella, puts her in touch with the new head of London’s bloodthirsty underbelly, she’s drawn into a world she wanted no part of. Gavin isn’t what she expected. He gives her his word he’ll look into her vampire problem, but he also offers something else entirely. The spark in his bright green eyes is impossible for her to resist.
Ella’s aversion to vampires causes a major rift between the best friends. Daisy can’t help but wonder what really happened the night Ella killed Gavin’s predecessor. With her life threatening to unravel, someone wants her. Badly enough they’ll stop at nothing to get their hands on Daisy.
Will she survive the night? Or will she succumb just to end her misery?
Out Now
About the Author
Born and raised in Sussex, UK near the Ashdown Forest where she grew up climbing trees and building Lego towns with her younger brother. Sarah fell in love with novels when she was a teenager reading her aunt’s historical regency romances. She’s always had a love of the supernatural, avidly devouring paranormal romances and TV shows such as True Blood and Supernatural.
Sarah currently resides in Berkshire with her husband. Music is one of her biggest inspirations and she always has something on in the background whilst writing. She is an avid gamer and is often found hogging her husband’s Xbox.
You can find more about Sarah Bailey in the following ways:
Sarah's Website
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Thank you for taking the time to read this book.