“I do appreciate you taking my stress level into account.”
“Of course. You're my sister as well as my project.”
“So which TV show and which magazine?”
“I think we'll go with Vanity Fair for your magazine interview and Good Morning D.C. for your television appearance.”
“Good Morning D.C.? Isn't that all filmed in Washington D.C.?”
“Yes of course. You'll have to head down there for the filming.”
“Wow, Melanie, you don't do things by half measures.”
“Of course not. Life isn't as much fun like that. The host is a friend of mine and a fellow witch, and I thought it would do you good to get out of your comfort zone. You'll have a great time, and it'll only be a short trip out there.”
“I'm going to trust you on this one, as much as I don't like it. But you'll have to tell Seb yourself.”
“I can do that. The plan is that you'll drive down one day, spend the night in a hotel, do the morning show, then do the magazine interview in the afternoon. You'll spend that night there too and drive back the next day. Unless you want to stay longer, of course.”
“I think my position here is too new to leave it for too long. Besides, I don't want to go out there for too long without Seb, and I know he's needed here.”
“I understand. I'd feel the same way if it were me and Justin.”
“Are you going to come with me?”
“No, I'm still on maternity leave,” Melanie joked. “I'm going to sent Tim with you, though. He's a fire witch with Coven Protection, and Justin feels he can afford to lose him for a few days.”
“Alright. Arrange it with Seb and then tell me when.”
“Thanks for being so cooperative.”
“I'm quaking in my boots over here. I've just got to trust that you know what you're doing.”
“And I do. I'll let you go so I can call Seb.”
“Talk to you later.”
Not five minutes later, Seb walked into her office through the connecting door. There were thunderbolts in his eyes. “Melanie wants to send you to Washington D.C. I hear.”
“That's what she's saying. I don't like it, but she seems to think it'll be the kind of coverage the Coven needs.”
“I don't like it either. I'm worried about the threat of Redman and having you outside of our protection while he's at large.”
“She's going to send Tim with me for that protection.”
“He is a good agent,” Seb admitted. “But the whole affair still makes me nervous.”
She reached out and touched his arm. “To be honest, I'm more afraid of missing you terribly than I am of Redman.”
He looked touched. “I'll miss you too. I've only had you around for a few weeks, but you've become very important to me very quickly.”
“I'm glad.”
“I'll approve the trip. Use your Coven card to pay for all the expenses. No arguments.”
“I won't argue.”
“Get a nice hotel and everything. I want you to enjoy the trip but not want to stay any longer.”
“You'll have to try harder than a trip to D.C. to make me want to stay away without you.”
He kissed her softly. “Good. For today, I want you to familiarize yourself with our current Coven House security protocols. Justin's making noise about changing things. I want to get your educated opinion when he makes a proposal about it, and to make sure you can give that, you'll need to know what's in place now.”
“Sounds good.”
“I'll send you over the file on the local network. This is, of course, highly confidential.”
“Of course. I'll study it closely too.”
“Good.” He kissed her again before making a clear effort to pull away and go back to his own office. She stood there staring at the door for a minute, thinking. Then she pulled herself together and got to work. Indeed, she saw the files in her official drop box and she started to study it. She had to hand it to Justin, he was very thorough. She had a feeling that the other members of the family didn't know about the surveillance cameras over at Ward Manor as well as at the Coven House. They surely knew that Justin and Seb cared about their safety, but they probably didn't know what measures they took to ensure that safety.
When she finished reading, she went over to the ops room to get a guided tour of the system. Fiona even got lucky and the man who would be accompanying her was available to show her around.
“Hello, Duchess,” he greeted her. “Seb warned us that you might be stopping by.”
“Hello Tim. You know, if you call me Duchess all through this trip, it's going to be very distracting. I'd much prefer if you called me Fiona.”
“That sounds a lot easier to me too, Fiona. So, this is our main room. We've got the digital chalkboard on this wall, the monitors on the second wall, and the regular chalkboards on the others. This is where we have our twice daily meetings.” She looked around. An entire chalkboard was filled with information on the Dark Order activity. The other chalkboard had information about recent protestors against witchcraft. It was flagged as not urgent, but being monitored. The monitors flipped between the security cameras. “In the next room, we have all the cameras on dedicated monitors. Casey is watching those now.”
“Hello, Casey,” she said as they looked into the other room.
“Hello. It's good to meet you, Duchess.”
“Please call me Fiona. It's nice to meet you too. What do you do here at Coven Protection?”
“I'm in charge of information security. My main job is to monitor the Coven's network. There's all kinds of privileged information on the computers here, and I keep it protected. Anthony is out sick today so I'm watching the cameras. I've got to say that the computer work is much more interesting.” She laughed.
“I'm glad you like what you do.”
“It is more convenient that way. And it's nice to have an apartment here in the Coven House. I like living near other witches, and the rent is great.”
“Then I'll hopefully see you around. I'm going to try hard to know everyone who lives here in particular.”
“There's twenty of us who live here, and even more who work here on a daily basis, so you have your work cut out for you.”
“Do you live here too, Tim?”
“Yes I do. Like Casey said, it's nice to live among other witches. It's just different to be around people who you share something like that with. Plus around here, a lot of people hang out in the common areas, so it's easy to get to know new friends.”
“How do you two feel about the latest publicity on witchcraft?”
“It's a little weird,” Casey admitted. “I was the first witch in my family. Witchcraft was an open secret, so they managed to find the coven here when they found out what was wrong with me. My family never discussed my witchcraft, and we've basically cut ties since. But since the latest buzz started about witchcraft, both of my brothers have called me. They want to try to get to know me again after all these years. It's a little awkward, but I am glad that the general population is more knowledgeable about who we are and what we do.”
“I'm from a family of witches,” Tim continued. “But it's always been a family thing. I had friends who saw me on TV with Seb call me because they were surprised I was a witch. What was your experience with the whole thing?”
“I moved around a lot. My parents were worried that we needed to stay ahead of the Dark Order's inquisition, so we didn't tell anyone anything about ourselves.”
“I'm sorry to hear that. It must have been hard on you as a kid,” Casey said, sounding genuinely sympathetic.
“Ah well, it's over now. Though I will admit that it's hard to get used to the idea of being around a lot of people while putting down roots.”
“I'll help you however I can,” Casey offered, and Tim nodded. “Seb has built a good community here, and we're here for you.”
“Good to know.”
“Is there anything else I can show you?” Tim
asked.
“Actually, I think I'm good. But it seems like it's about lunch time. Do you two want to come to the cafeteria with me?”
“I've got to stay here with the monitors,” Casey said glumly.
“I've been writing a report and was going to work through lunch, more than likely.”
“Do you want me to bring you something?”
“That would be great,” Casey exclaimed. “I hate monitor duty, and it's even worse when you're hungry.”
“Alright then. I'll be back in a few.”
She dropped off the food and let them continue to work. Shortly after finishing her own lunch, Skylar showed up.
“Hey, Fiona. Seb said it would be fine if I came in a little late this morning. I had some errands to run and I had forgotten to program your number into my cell.” She laughed. “If you'll give it to me again, I'll put it in there now.”
“It's fine. I was doing some research on Coven Protection this morning anyway.” She gave Skylar her number, and Skylar set up her laptop.
Skylar turned to her again and blushed. “I took that potion last night.” She smiled really widely. “I really hope it works.”
Fiona grabbed both of her hands. “Good for you. I really hope it works out too.” Fiona used her water magic subtly, but she couldn't tell either way yet.
“And I'll admit that Leo seemed extra excited about the whole thing knowing that it's going to make the baby we've been hoping for.” She blushed again.
“Good for you!” She hugged Skylar. “Good for you.”
“So, in a blatant attempt to change the subject, let's get to looking at these emails. I've been so happy at the result. People from across the country, and even some from other countries, have been emailing me about witchcraft. It's exciting.”
“It sure is. But if you don't mind, I'd like to look some more at this Coven Protection stuff.”
“Certainly. It's just nice to be working somewhere other than at home. I was working with Melanie before she went on maternity leave. It's harder to concentrate on work when I'm at home. I usually end up cooking something in the kitchen, and then we all eat way too much food. In a roundabout way, being able to work with you here is preventing all of us at Ward Manor from getting any fatter.”
Fiona laughed. “Well I certainly wouldn't want all of you getting fat.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
They worked until five when Seb came in to get Fiona. “If you're leaving in a couple of days, I'm going to get in all the time I can with you. Sorry Skylar, but I'm reclaiming my wife.”
“No problem. I'll see you guys tomorrow.” She saluted cockily and left.
As soon as the door closed, Seb gave her a long kiss. “I don't know if I've told you, but I really like the new look you and Skylar put together for you. You somehow manage to look both sexy and professional.”
“Thanks. I'm really going to miss you while I'm gone. It seems like I've known you forever, but it's only been a few weeks. Plus it's still new enough that I want to savor every bit of it.”
“I know exactly how you feel. But hey, we've got the rest of our lives, right?”
“We do. Though I'll admit that at first I was worried you'd get tired of me and leave.”
“At first?”
“Yes. Now though, I know you'll be stuck with me even if you do get tired of me. I'm going to be as hard to get rid of as a bad cold.”
He barked out a laugh. “You don't even need to worry like that. I don't think I could get tired of you if I wanted to. You're in my system, but you're wonderful for me, and not at all like a bad cold.”
“Thanks.”
“So since you're leaving the day after tomorrow, I wanted to take you out to dinner tonight. We're going to go to a nice steakhouse that Skylar recommended.”
“Sounds great. So I should dress nice?”
“Indeed. The reservation's for seven, so we have a little bit of time before we go.”
“What do you propose that we do?”
“I want to play Monopoly.”
“Wait, what?” She had expected sex or a movie or something, and a board game surprised her.
“When we first started talking about getting together, you mentioned that you liked playing Monopoly. I'm a fan, and I want to see if I can beat you.”
“I'm pretty ruthless.”
“So am I. I actually couldn't find my old board game, so I had to go out over lunch and get another copy.”
“I see you were determined.”
“Indeed. So what do you say?”
“What can I say to a proposition like that? Just that you'd better watch out for your bank account.”
“You assume you'll win.”
“And you assume you'll win.”
“Then let's go play.”
An hour later, Seb called a pause to the game. “We've got to get dressed for dinner or we'll miss our reservation.”
“Ah, you're right. We'll have to pick up where we left off when we get back. And don't think about moving my hotels. I know where I put them.”
He laughed. If everything went right, he wouldn't be playing Monopoly when they got back. He planned a fancy evening because tonight he was going to tell Fiona that he loved her. Seb had been trying to find a way to say it for days, and besides that time when she was asleep, he hadn't managed it. He wanted to do it right and make it memorable, so he was going to go all the way towards making it an unforgettable night.
Especially since she'd be leaving soon. It was only for a few days, but he wished the trip could be postponed a few months. Yet at the same time, he knew that for both of them, duty was very important. They were the Duke and the Duchess, and they'd both do what needed to be done. Melanie was adamant that this needed to be done, so it would happen.
He got finished faster than she did and waited nervously in the living room. He was more anxious about this night than he had ever been about dating, even back in high school.
When she came out, she looked fabulous. She was in a floor-length black dress with pink trim that reminded him of the corset he had removed with his magic. He felt himself coming to life below his pants, but that would have to wait. They had a reservation to keep after all, and he couldn't be going for sex all the time. He was supposed to be a responsible adult and the leader of the National Coven after all. Hah!
Seb took her elbow and walked out to the parking lot and the Mustang waiting for them there. They didn't talk much on the way to the restaurant, which was fine with him. After all, he wanted to say his piece with the proper pomp and circumstance it needed.
After looking over the menu, he asked “Would you like to order for me, dear?”
She laughed. “No, I think I'll let you manage this one yourself. That way you can't blame me if it's not great.”
“Ah, it'll be great. Remember, Skylar recommended this place.”
“She did.”
“And it was her name that got us this reservation on short notice.”
“I'm sure she would be pleased that you used her.”
“She would be.”
They ordered, and Seb took both her hands in his. “I brought you here for a special reason.”
“I thought something like that was going on. What's on your mind?”
“I know we've only been together for a short time, but it hasn't taken me long to realize what's going on in my heart.” He felt her suspense both through her fluttering pulse under his fingers and the feelings he was reading from her through his air magic. He didn't even have to be looking for it because she was advertizing it pretty openly. “I've realized that I'm in love with you. Hopelessly in love with you, to be honest. Our magic brought us together, and I fought it at first. I fought it hard. But we are right for each other, and I know that now. You've made me so happy, and I really wanted to show you how much, which is why I brought you here to tell you how much I love you.”
“Oh Seb! I love you too! I've been worried about telling you in case you di
dn't feel the same. I didn't want to push my luck or push you too hard.”
“I'm glad to hear it. And I got you something.”
“Another present?” Fiona asked with a smile. “You're going to spoil me.”
“That's fine by me. I already gave you a ring, so I thought I'd go with a necklace.” Seb pulled out the necklace he had carefully selected. “This emerald will hang right over the heart that I love so much. I want you to wear it to Washington. If I can't be there, this will be with you in my place.”
“You're so sweet. I'll wear it proudly.” She took off the necklace she had been wearing and put on his. “It doesn't quite match the pink and black, but at this point I really don't care.”
“It looks good on you.”
They talked about other things over their food. On the way home, Seb felt much more confident than he had before their dinner. Things were going beautifully, even better than he had expected when he thought about his future wife before he met Fiona. She was it for him, and it felt great to know that he was it for her.
When they got back, he was right in his prediction that the Monopoly game would be forgotten. Instead, they curled up in front of the television, just holding each other in that way where no words were even needed.
The next morning, Fiona greeted Skylar with a hug. She chose that deliberately so that she could be in skin contact with Skylar so she could use her water magic without the other woman necessarily knowing she did. When Fiona pulled back, her smile was even bigger.
“Let me be the first to congratulate you,” she said.
Skylar didn't pretend to misunderstand. “It worked? I'm pregnant?”
“Yes. It worked, and you're pregnant.”
Of all the things Fiona had expected, tears was not one of them. Skylar was crying and laughing at the same time. “Thank you so much, Fiona!”
“I'll make some of the potion I gave Melanie when I get back from D.C. You should try to start getting magical infusions from Justin or Dymphna sooner than that.”
The Dutiful Witch (The Ward Witches) Page 11