Page 100

‘Last chance for you to offer to drive…’

Her heart was already thumping so hard she was surprised he couldn’t hear it, and she was certain if he leaned back against her – or if she leaned forward – he’d feel it. But this was the date he’d planned, and a part of himself he wanted to share. And though her heart was pounding and her fingers already tingling from the rush of adrenaline, she really was excited. ‘Not a chance. Fire this thing up already!’

‘Yes ma’am.’ He started it up and Mia gasped when the bike roared into life beneath her. ‘OK?’

‘Yeah. I knew bikes could be loud, but hearing them from a distance and sitting on top of one… It’s pretty different.’

‘Yeah.’ He pulled away, slowly and carefully. Mia screwed her eyes shut and hung on tightly.

He stopped at the end of her street and twisted awkwardly to look at her. ‘Still happy?’

‘Yeah.’ She tucked her hands more tightly around his waist. ‘Just not too fast, OK?’

‘OK. But I promise I’ve got you.’

‘That was amazing!’

Aiden chuckled as Mia did a little jig almost as soon as she’d dismounted. He hadn’t been surprised when he’d gently opened the throttle – sticking to his promise to take things easy – and she’d whooped in his ear, telling him to go faster. It hadn’t been as quick as he would have been alone – he wouldn’t be that irresponsible with a novice rider – but she’d loved every second. And so had he, hearing her laugh and chatter excitedly while her hands had tightened around his hips and she moved with him, obligingly leaning into corners and following his lead easily.

‘I’m glad you enjoyed it, Princess,’ he said as he busied himself pulling his bags, and blanket, out of the bike’s panniers. He quickly locked the forks and brakes while Mia stripped off her gloves and helmet.

‘I can’t remember the last time I came down here.’

‘I like Riversmeet,’ he admitted. ‘Rayenne brought me here a couple of times to pick herbs. She says magic is especially strong here, so the herbs are more powerful.’

Mia held out her hand. ‘I can carry one of those.’

‘Thanks.’ He didn’t bother to try and refuse – she’d just argue anyway.

‘This way.’ He led her down one pathway, and then another, until he could part the branches of the large willow he’d scouted out a few hours before. Despite the drizzle earlier, the huge ancient willow had thankfully kept the ground dry, so he spread out the blanket he’d brought and opened up the cooler.

‘This is it?’ Mia walked slowly around the perimeter of the tree. ‘For our first official we’re-actually-going-to-give-this-a-go date we’re having a picnic under a tree. In October.’

‘Uhh…’ Aiden was suddenly more nervous than he could remember being in a long time – worrying he’d got everything wrong. Of course he had. She was his princess and deserved far better: an elegant restaurant with sparkling glasses, silverware and the works. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘This is brilliant.’ She turned to him with a sunny smile.

‘Really? You like it?’

‘Yeah. I really do. But there’s firewood stacked here. Do you think someone else is coming?’

‘Nope. It’s ours.’ He unfolded his collapsing firepit. ‘I thought we could watch the sunset between the branches.’

He watched as another smile lit her face up. ‘You did this? When?’

‘This afternoon.’

‘You spent one of your rare afternoons off, when you’re not helping your mum, coming all the way here and back to gather up firewood?’

‘I didn’t want you to get cold. And we can cook.’ He pulled out the crystal and herb jars he’d worked on that week – fiddling with them until they worked perfectly – and spread them in a horseshoe around the blanket. ‘Wait until you see these. Pass the matches please? They should be in the side pocket of your bag.’

He could feel her eyes on him as he lit the jars, activating the spells he’d woven into them.

‘Oh wow!’

He bit back a grin of pride. He’d worked hard on those spells, and seeing the joy on Mia’s face as she took in the glowing aurora of colours they gave off made it worth every single hour. ‘Do you like?’

‘More than.’ She knelt to study a jar while he gathered the firewood. ‘I didn’t realise they’d be so warm!’