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He nodded, smiling. ‘Even with spell jars I thought Riversmeet in January might be a bit cold. And muddy.’

‘Any chance you’ve made your orange brownies too?’

‘No. But I have made something chocolatey. And spicy.’

‘Spicy like your Beltane Banger Biscuits?’

‘I’m hoping even better.’ He grinned, and Mia felt the joy of it all the way through her body. She leaned in to kiss him, loving the slight rasp of his beard against her skin and the heat of his lips against hers. ‘You are still happy to be my taste-tester, right?’ he teased.

‘Always.’

‘You realise I’m planning on holding you to that, Princess?’

‘I’m counting on it.’

He kissed her again, this time more softly, before untangling himself and rolling to his feet. ‘Be right back.’

Mia stretched out, enjoying the warmth of the fire from the spell jars as it flickered around and through her. She knew she should get round to asking Ophelia or Rayenne more detail about what being ‘resonant’ to Aiden’s gift meant, and thinking about whether she wanted to try learning to resonate his gift more deliberately – but she was happy just enjoying it still – and working out what it meant to actually know magic was real. As much fun as the last few months had been, it was still all very new.

Aiden reappeared, balancing plates laden with hot dogs and one covered with a silver dome.

Mia smiled and took the plates from him as he sat next to her. He whipped the covered one away before she’d had the chance to lift the lid. ‘Uh-uh. I told you, no peeking.’

‘Tease!’

‘Not yet I’m not. But later…’

His grin made her tingle all over, and she happily snuggled closer. It was awkward for eating, but being cuddled against him with his arm around her shoulders was one of her favourite places in the world.

She bit into the hot dog happily – the sweetness of the onions contrasting deliciously with the tang of the herbs in the sausages. ‘This is amazing. Thank you so much. Just…’

‘Just what?’

‘How?’

‘Lily-Ann at the florist might have helped. She’s a green witch.’

‘Of course she is.’ Mia laughed.

‘Don’t worry, it’s on loan. I wouldn’t change your home without discussing it with you.’

‘It’s your home too. You can make changes if you want.’ Mia ignored the slight pang of guilt over the changes she was planning and not discussing.

‘At least part of the time.’

‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘Even when you’re at home with Sylvie, this is your home too. And this really is wonderful. But you didn’t have to make all this effort.’

‘You’re more than worth it.’ He dropped a kiss onto her forehead. ‘And I wanted it to be a bit special.’

‘It’s definitely that.’

* * *

Aiden cleaned the relish off his fingers and took a deep breath, suddenly feeling nervous. It was silly – he already knew what she’d say, because she’d been the one to ask him – but that didn’t stop his stomach churning. He watched her, waiting until she’d finished her last bite too, knowing he wouldn’t find a better, more perfect moment.

‘Mia.’ He twisted to face her. ‘I love you.’

‘I love you too.’