Page 101

‘Like I said: I didn’t want you getting cold.’ He stuffed his tinder into the firepit, sprinkled on his quick-start herb mix, and dropped the match in. Within seconds he was feeding in the heavier wood.

When he turned around, Mia was watching him, an odd smile on her face. ‘This is magic. You’re doing magic.’

‘I’m a witch. As weird as that still is to say, that’s my reality now. Are you OK with it?’

She slowly sat on the blanket. ‘It’s taking a bit of getting used to, but yeah, I think so. Is it always so beautiful?’

‘I used different herb blends for the different colours. I wanted you to be able to see it as well as feel it.’

‘You did this for me?’

‘There’s no one I’d rather share it with.’

‘It’s incredible. Thank you so much.’ She closed her eyes for a few seconds, bathing in the spell-light. She looked so happy and peaceful that part of him wanted to stay there forever. She opened her eyes, and grinned when she caught him staring. ‘I’m touched that you put in so much effort. As first dates go, this might be shaping up to be one of the best. Definitely top ten.’

‘Ten? And “might be”? I guess I should be grateful I even made your Top of the Pops list.’

‘Well, you haven’t told me what’s for dinner yet. That might score some more points.’

‘How do hot dogs sound? With freshly baked rolls, and homemade onion marmalade.’

‘Delicious.’

‘But not number one spot worthy?’ he teased.

‘Depends. Did you bring dessert?’

‘What sort of baking witch would I be if I didn’t? What would orange s’mores brownies cooked in the fire embers score me?’

‘I’d say at least top three.’ Her eyes flicked up to his and he felt a rush of emotion that warmed him far more thoroughly than the flames glowing around them. ‘This really is wonderful, Aiden.’ She shuffled closer to him, and he lifted his arm so she could snuggle against him, not caring that it would make it more difficult to cook. The way she smiled at him, and how she felt pressed against him made it completely worth any awkwardness.

‘I’m sorry I forgot spoons,’ Aiden apologised again.

‘Doesn’t matter.’ Mia tossed the hot orange back and forth between her fingers, trying not to burn herself as she peeled the rind back to uncover the brownie cooked inside the whole skin. It was too hot to eat, but smelled too good to resist. ‘Oh my God. This might be the best thing I’ve ever tasted!’

Aiden chuckled as he watched her.

‘Stop looking at me,’ she tried to complain around the very unctuous, wonderfully gooey brownie, but the words were blurred by deliciousness and she had to swallow a couple of times. ‘There’s no way to eat this elegantly or prettily, so you’re just going to have to deal with it and accept the blame when I end up with chocolate everywhere.’

‘Because I forgot utensils?’

‘Because you made something so delicious that I just don’t care how messy it is! This… the fire, the food, the jars… it’s all amazing. I quite like this magical little world you’ve created.’

‘Shame we can’t stay here.’

‘How long will your spell jars last?’

‘Not sure. I only tested them for three hours and it’s already been longer than that,’ Aiden mused as he sucked brownie off his thumb, and Mia felt a shiver of delight remembering how it felt when he’d paid that sort of attention to her skin. He noticed and squeezed her briefly against his side. ‘It is getting colder. I guess I should douse all this and take you home.’

Mia reached over and checked his watch. ‘No wonder, it’s gone ten.’

‘Oops. I should probably apologise for that, but I’d be lying. I’m not sorry for a moment of this evening.’

‘Me neither.’ Mia sighed happily, wanting to stretch out the last few moments of the most perfect first date – or possibly any date – she’d ever been on.

She watched as he stood, a bit reluctantly, and set about putting out the fires, leaving the brightest jar still burning as Mia started to clear up the rest. She grinned a few minutes later when Aiden held out the borrowed jacket and slid it up her arms.

It wasn’t until they stepped out from under the willow tree that she spotted the glowing mist hanging just above the water. ‘Do you see that?’