Candy Conniptions (Arbor Vitae Coven Book 1)

by Lexie Winston

  I reply to a few emails, and I am just about to check the temperature of the boiling sugar when there is a knock on the door. Placing a pause spell on the candy, that way the sugar doesn’t burn, I go to check the door. Just as I get to the sunroom, Regan and Maddock come walking through.

  "Hey, sis. What’s that smell? Are you cooking something?” he asks, giving me a kiss and walking through to the kitchen. Maddock and I nod awkwardly to each other and follow after him.

  "Thanks so much for all yours and Bram’s work today. The house looks amazing, and once the loft is done, I’ll be out of your hair." I say to him as he pulls open the fridge and grabs a couple of beers, handing one to Maddock. Huh, Regan must have stocked them in there earlier.

  "You know you are always welcome at the manor; it is half yours, and the kids love having you around." I smile at him.

  "The new bedroom out the back is amazing, the kids are going to love it. I can't wait to have them over.”

  He laughs, “Maybe not when you don’t get any sleep because they keep you up all night.”

  “The added deck was a great surprise, thank you. I won’t miss having a bath with the hot tub on the deck. The best part of not living close to the manor, and having no neighbors is that I don’t even need to use bathers,” I wink at him, and both he and Maddock end up spitting out their beers in surprise. I point to the ladder. "When you’re done with the loft Maddock, I’ve got a drawing of the piece I need made for the shop, if you wouldn’t mind having a look," I say to him, knowing he won’t want to refuse around Regan.

  My hunch about Regan not knowing how pissed he is at me, paying off when he scowls at me behind Regan’s back. "Why would he mind?" Regan asks, raising his eyebrows, turning to look at Maddock. "Of course, he will have a look."

  I decide to throw him a bone. I can be petty, but he is Regan’s friend. "I just know how busy he is Regan, and I wasn’t sure if he would have the time."

  "Rubbish! Let’s get this loft done, and then you can show him.” He puts his beer down and walks to and up the spiral ladder. Maddock follows him, and I go back to my candy. I can hear them having a low volume conversation. It sounds like they are arguing, but to be able to find out for sure, I would have to walk out into the middle of the living room and look up at the loft. There is no subtle way to do it, so I just leave them be. I could perform a volume spell, but both of them would feel it.

  I leave the candy paused; once it’s ready, it needs constant attention until it’s finished, and I don’t want to be interrupted by the guys. Looking at my empty, sad bookcases, I open a new browser on the laptop and load amazon. I have a few books in my bag at the manor but not enough to fill it. I spend the next half hour buying more books than I should.

  I look up when I feel a wave of magic from the loft. I can tell its Maddock’s from the way it feels. It's strong, hard, and has a cold bite of steel.

  Witches and warlocks can perform most magics. Did you ever watch that old seventies television show Bewitched, and Samantha could conjure anything with a wiggle of her nose? It’s just like that, but most of us don’t wiggle our noses. We also can brew potions and chant spells if we need to break a curse or another spell. Some witches also specialize in a branch of magic. The males in Maddock’s family have always been good with metal elements, so blacksmithing and weapons have always been a big part of their lives. Maddock's father makes the most elegant but deadly weapons, and before I left, Maddock was heading the same way. They sell them to collectors. I have a beautiful dagger he gave me for my eighteenth birthday.

  The magic wave continues for about twenty minutes, Regan’s magic eventually joining in. It finally cuts off, and they both come clattering down a fully restored spiral staircase. I walk out and have a look. The stairs and balustrade are shiny and solid black wrought iron again. The broken rusty sections are gone. I can’t see what else they’ve done, as the rest of the bedroom is set further back, so I will check it out when they leave.

  "All done, Ruby,” says Regan, "Maddock does great work."

  "Thank you," I say to him, gratefully and smile. He just grunts and picks up the beer he left behind. Regan frowns at him and opens his mouth to say something, but his phone rings. He pulls it out of his pocket, swiping his finger across the screen.

  "Slow down, Jenna, I don’t understand you.” He pauses, "They did what?” He shouts, leaping up from the counter where he had sat down. "I’ll be right there.” He hangs up, shoving his phone in his pocket. "I’ve got to go, the kids locked Jenna in the attic, and she can’t get out. She said it was lucky she had her phone in her pocket. She thinks they thought she was Julie."

  I frown at him. "That doesn’t sound like them. Sure, they’re mischievous but not nasty."

  He shrugs his shoulders. "I can ask them later with a truth spell if I need, but I’ve got to go sort it out.” He slaps Maddock's hand, "I’ll see you later, bro.” He gives me a kiss on the cheek, and off he goes.

  We look at each other awkwardly, Maddock takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "I’m sorry Ruby, I’ve been unfair." My mouth drops open, and I reach out a hand for a seat before plopping down on one of the stools. He continues

  "I was furious when Susan ran out on Regan. He was heartbroken, but I knew everything would be okay because you would come home and fix everything like you used to when we were younger. You always had a plan. But then you didn’t, and things just kept getting worse in town.” He runs a hand through his hair in frustration. “Tatiana is also gone, and Mom needs her, and so in my mind, you were both being selfish and neglectful. It was easier to be upset at you than to think that there may actually be a reason you weren’t coming home." He looks at me with regret in his eyes. "Regan just told me all about the spell. Mom had mentioned something, no details, though. He said that the coven has been trying to keep it quiet, as to not have people panic. I’m sorry I’ve mistreated you since you’ve been home. I took my anger out on you. Can you forgive me?" He has a pleading look in his eyes. "Especially after I spoke to Mom, and she told me you temporarily solved her staffing problem for the summer. She spoke to Melody, and she starts tomorrow."

  My heart is beating a million miles an hour, and although I felt hurt at the time, there is no way I’m not going to forgive him. Maybe we can hug it out, and I can cop a feel, but I’m going to play hard to get. "I was very hurt by your reaction Maddock. I thought we were friends. We were the four musketeers, you, me, Regan and Tats. " I say to him real sadness in my voice. "For you to think I would be so deliberately neglectful is devastating." At this comment, something flashes in my brain and starts me thinking about it some more. Making a guess, I put my hands out, feeling his aura for spells; sure enough, I can feel the malignant, slimy, feeling of a negativity spell. The bottom drops out of my stomach. "Well shit, Maddock! There is actually something here." His eyes widen in panic." You have a spell on you. What you and Regan just did, must have bumped it a bit. It was well hidden."

  Going over to the cupboard, I pull out a sage and lavender smudge stick and the lighter that I saw earlier when exploring the cabinets. Lighting it, I start waving it around him while chanting a spell breaker. A flash of light and a wave of energy signals the spell breaking. I feel the essence of the witch who cast it, realizing I will recognize the caster if they ever cast around me.

  I look at Maddock, and he seems like he has been punched in the gut. A light appears in his eyes, and he takes two steps, wraps his arms around me, pulling me against his hard chest, holding tight. He nuzzles his face against my hair and breathes deeply. "Ruby, I’ve missed you so much. Thank god you’re home." He rubs his hands up and down my back.

  Holy shitake mushrooms. My breasts are smooshed against him, my nipples pebbling at the contact. Slowly wrapping my arms around him, I relish the feeling of being in his arms. I’d always dreamed of being held by Maddock like this. Breathing deeply, I smell the smoky, irony smell on his clothes, feeling happier than I have in a long time.

  Hi
s arms drop, and he steps back, rerunning his hand through his hair. I check the front of his shirt to make sure I haven’t left any drool on it, and yep we're good.

  "Thanks for that, it’s like I had a black cloud surrounding me." With that comment, his eye wanders up and down my body like he is seeing me for the first time. "You are looking really good, Red." He winks at me. Walking out the door whistling, he shouts over his shoulder. "I’ll be seeing you real soon, Ruby."

  Whoa, that was interesting. Snapping my fingers and a fan appears on the counter. Putting my head in front of it, I turn it on, letting the breeze cool me down.

  Looking at the pot paused on the stove and then at the spiral staircase, the struggle is real. The desire to see what my bedroom looks like wins, and I run up the stairs to see what the guys have done to my sleeping area.

  My mouth drops open in shock. The bedroom is a sensual delight. The sloping walls are paneled pine, stained in a vibrant walnut color. There are two large windows built into the walls that run the length letting in ample light. I can see the green foliage of the trees through them, but it is indistinct due to the textured glass. Allowing privacy from the birds, I think laughing.

  The triangular wall at the back of the room is also paneled with the same wood, with shelves built-in for books and knick-knacks. I can see Regan has put my spell books on there. There is a plant on each end. Hopefully, they are spelled to take care of themselves because although I’m a wonder with sugar, I have a slightly black thumb.

  My eyes are drawn to the luscious bed. The mattress is a large California king. The platform it sits on is lit underneath to make it look like it’s floating on air. Plush cushions are stacked up at the head of the bed, and the downy quilt looks like a cloud. Along both walls are low, built-in cupboards for my clothing. Looking up, I notice wrought-iron beams running across the roof. They support a chandelier that is a feast of twists and turns. Fake candle globes flicker sensual shadows in the darkened corners.

  I nudge my shoes off and throw myself onto the bed, rolling around in joy and delight. What were the guys thinking about creating me such a sexy bedroom? Just as I think this, a piece of paper appears out of thin air above me and flutters down, landing on my chest. I sit up and read what it says.

  Ruby

  Hopefully, this gets Maddock thinking about you and bed in the same sentence. I nudged him in your direction, but there is also someone else sniffing around. Hopefully, he pulls his head out of his ass, I know you have liked him for a long time. My bet is on you.

  Regan

  PS no details, please.

  PPS I wouldn’t be opposed to a niece or nephew myself.

  PPPS, don’t forget to warn him we tend to come in multiples.

  My brother, my champion. I guess I never was very subtle with my feelings. Being my twin, he sometimes caught those emotions emitting from me if I didn’t have them locked down tight. Puberty for the two of us was not always a bundle of laughs. My brother was a horny teenager, and it often carried through the twin link.

  Flopping back on my bed, smiling up at the roof. Things are starting to look up.

  Chapter Nine

  Ruby

  After making a few sample batches of spelled sweets, I decided to head to The Hamster. Taking a shower, I washed my hair and shaved all my bits. Dressing in a pair of skinny jeans that made my bum look amazing, and a tight, low-cut top that shows off the girls. Finding my favorite pair of knee-high, heeled boots, I pull them on and grab my leather jacket. I walk out the door of the cottage into the sunroom and find Sugar, on one of the comfy chairs.

  "Hello traitor, decided to come home? What’s wrong, didn’t they feed you?" She just looks at me with derision and goes back to licking her butt. Hmmm, she does an awful lot of that, maybe I need to get some worm tablets.

  Heading outside, pulling the door shut behind me, I jump into the Mustang and drive over to the Laughing Hamster. Pulling into the spacious parking lot, I notice it’s only about a quarter full. The tavern is built from the same stone as the manor. It has cute little windowpanes with lead lighting in them depicting different scenes. Magic has infused the Hamster over the years. Based on the Hamsters mood, the views will change to reflect it. I take a good look at what it is showing at the moment. Scenes of empty streets, empty stores, and an empty Hamster. Wow, it must be really sad. As I open the big wooden door, I put my hand on the door frame and send good thoughts and love vibes through to the Hamster. The lights illuminating the inside of the bar are dull and dim but brighten minutely with my actions.

  Standing just inside the doorway, I take a look around. Running down one long side is a wooden bar that is scratched and scarred with time and use but is lovingly polished and wiped to a shine. There are beer taps dotted down its length, a few with recognizable commercial beer signs, some with the Hamster logo on. The Laughing Hamster is not only the local watering hole, but is a microbrewery with an exclusive range of beers. It’s run and managed by the Woods family, another member of the coven.

  On the other side of the tavern, tables and booths are scattered around; a third are filled with people chatting and having a good time. Towards the back of the bar, I can see the fireplace, which is unlit in the still mild temperatures of early fall. A new addition I can spot on the left side opposite the bar is a wine corner. A small intimate bar, set in front of racks of bottled wines, with glasses hanging on rails above head height. Some couches are placed in front of this, giving an intimate, cozy feeling to the area.

  I wander over and take a seat at one of the stools at the bar and have a read of the colorful cocktail menu, which is on a chalkboard above the bar.

  I giggle at the names of the cocktails. Sex on the Hamster, Hamsterpolitan, Hamstini, Mohamster. But there is one of never heard of, the Panty Hamster; Jägermeister, melon liqueur, raspberry liqueur, and cranberry juice, I wrinkle my nose as a shadow appears next to me, and a deep voice says, "Don’t knock it until you try it, Ruby." I look up and smile at Joshua Woods. Another good friend of my brothers and mine growing up.

  I lean over the bar, grab him by his shirt, pulling him towards me and smack a massive kiss on his cheek, "I don’t know Joshie, sounds a bit gay." I wink at him as I sit back on my stool. He throws a smirk my way as he picks up a cocktail shaker and starts to add things to it.

  "Oh no Ruby, this drink is for everybody." he pours a dark purple mess into a martini glass, throws a frangipani flower onto it for garnish and places in front of me with a flourish. "The Panty Hamster, a cornucopia of alcoholic delight, guaranteed to not only taste amazing but after a few, guaranteed to drop your panties too." he grins at me. "They are very popular with young males buying for their dates.”

  I pick up the glass and take a sip, bracing myself for the herby goodness that is Jager, but instead of the abrasive biting sharpness, I expect it's sweet and smooth, and the icy goodness slides delightfully down my throat.

  "Whoa, that is good," I say to him as he throws the shaker he used into a sink behind the bar. He comes back to stand in front of one of the taps and pours himself a draft. There is a cute laughing Hamster on the tap, and the words pale ale.

  He places it down next to mine, and he comes around to my side of the bar and pulls me into a big hug, "Missed you Rubes, so glad you’re home." he pulls himself up onto the stool next to me.

  "It’s quiet in here tonight," I say to him, looking around. "And where are all the locals? I don’t recognize any of the people here.”

  His face drops into a frown as he looks around. "No, most of these are transient workers who now work on the island. The locals have started to avoid the place on weekends. They’re not snobs, but the workers aren’t very friendly. Some of them are downright rude."

  I take another sip of my drink and give him a nudge. "So, rumor has it you are in a committed relationship. Surely the great Joshua Woods has not actually found someone he can be happy with. What was it you used to say? Why put limits on your love when you had so much to share.
" I joke with him. A goofy grin crosses his face, a dreamy look appearing in his eye as he looks over my shoulder.

  Turning on my stool to see what he is looking at; I see movement down by the wine bar. Out from behind it, walks one of the most beautiful men I have ever seen. As he walks towards us, his lithe limbs are elegant; he moves like a predator stalking his prey. His dark hair is shaved on either side of his head, and long on top, stylishly pushed backward. His cheekbones are sharp enough to cut glass, and he has a smattering of stylish stubble across his jaw. When he reaches up a hand to push his hair back, I can see his ears have a slight peak giving away his Elven heritage. Moving my eyes downwards, I admire his long, lean body that is covered by black leather pants and a black button-down shirt. His bright green eyes sparkle with delight, the only hint of color to be seen.

  "Ruby, I think you have a little drool," Josh says, using a finger to close my mouth that has dropped open. He gets up and draws the elf into his arms, where he places a kiss on him that leaves me breathless. Damn! Bram was right, this man is breathtaking. "Hey babe, come and meet my old friend," he says, drawing him onto the chair where he was sitting and wraps his arms around him from behind.

  "Ruby, this is Galan. Galan, this is Ruby." Gesturing to me like a game show hostess, "Queen of Candy and Regan’s naughtier half."

  I hold out my hand towards Galan. “It’s lovely to meet the person who finally got this guy to settle down. Goodness knows it hasn’t happened before." Josh sends me dirty a look as Galan takes my hand and places a kiss to the back of it.

  "Ruby," he says, his voice a musical delight to my ears. "I have heard so much about you and the Tempting Ten, I’ve been looking forward to meeting you."

  I cringe at the name, "God, that name is awful! They can’t possibly be calling us that still.” Josh smirks at me. “So, tell me how you met this one?" I ask curiously, gesturing to Josh. A gentle smile crosses his face.