Strings of Fate by Kit Bryan
Chapter 284

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I finish off my budget proposal and send it off to my co–owner. I THINK that Harry got some of his own work done, but I’m really not sure. After the new bright purple bean bag was delivered by a very confused delivery guy who hinted strongly that he would like to know why a bar needed a beanbag urgently, I’m not sure that Harry got all that much done. He seemed to be distracted taking selfies and texting someone. Probably that group chat of his. Ugh, I don’t want to think about that too much. Him sending updates of every part of our relationship feels almost intrusive, but at the same time it is kind of cute that he’s excitedly texting his friends. I don’t have it in me to be actually upset by it.

A few days later the budget gets approved. My fabulous co–owner has agreed to pay half the expenses and already sent through the money! I get to work early in the morning to start the first of the decorations. I

n to make a collection of lanterns using Witches fire, they shouldn’t go out unless I choose to put them out AND they are fairly safe. They’re fueled by magic and my intent so unless I INTEND for them to be dangerous, they won’t be. As it is, I plan to make them so they will immediately go out should the lanterns be knocked over, opened or meddled with in any way. I want them to look magical, not burn the place down. I also plan to make them in a few different colours. It’s easy enough to adjust with the right potions. Today I can make the potion but I won’t be able to finish the potions as I haven’t actually gotten any lanterns yet. I was going to search online later this afternoon and hope that I won’t have to wait months for them to be delivered. My phone chimes and I check it, although I assume it’s Harry. I muted the text conversations from my family and Simon so really he’s the only person who contacts me regularly right now.

Distraction- Knock knock, delivery!

Okay… I head to the front and all I can see is a large cardboard box being carried by who I assume is Harry, but the box is so large I can’t actually SEE his face. I unlock the door quickly and let him in.

“What in the world is in that box?” I ask as he sets it down on one of the tables with a heavy thud and a slight clattering sound.

“I’m amazing.” Harry declares. I raise an eyebrow.

“I AM, my friend Amber called me this morning and told me that I should stop by this old

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antique store on the other side of town right away. I did as she suggested and… tah dah!” He flips the box open and inside is a set of about ten gorgeous, ornate lanterns.

“Wow these are perfect!” I can’t help but gush. I want to jump up and down and clap my hands. They’re way better than anything I would have found online.

“I told you I’m amazing!” Harry preens. I can’t help but tease him a little.

“Amber… isn’t that your Oracle friend? Shouldn’t she be the one getting the credit for this? I’ll have to thank her.” I grin at him and Harry pouts.

“I deserve gratitude too! I drove over an hour to pick these up. Besides, you wouldn’t even KNOW about them if I wasn’t such a good friend to Amber!” He whines. I finally give in to my excitement and launch myself at him in a hug.

“I know, Thankyou Harry! Now we can make the lanterns today. We might even have them. ready in time for tonight!” Harry hugs me tightly and I relax against him. I’ve discovered in the last few days that Harry really does give amazing hugs. It’s like he commits completely to every hug and he never ever lets go first.

A couple hours later, the potion is completed and Harry is carefully filling the lanterns with it. They’re all laid out on the workbench and I am desperately hoping that I don’t mess them up. Making a potion that creates fire is easy enough, and a spell for fire is also no big deal, but making safe, controlled fire is a much bigger task. The potion base is because I don’t want to have to be constantly charging them with magic and the spell aspect is to shape the fire to my intent. If all goes to plan they will be completely safe, gorgeous and very clearly magical. -lanterns and they should burn nearly indefinitely unless I put them out or they are disturbed

in which case I will need to reset them and remake the potion. Harry fills the last lantern then sits back.

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“Are we… done?” He asks incredulously.

‘Very nearly. I just have to cast the actual spell now. Give me a minute, I need to focus.” I answer optimistically. Harry quite literally covers his own mouth with both hands stacked one over the other and I snort out a laugh. Is it really that hard for him to stay quiet for five minutes? I turn my back to Harry, mostly because he is entirely too distracting and I focus on my spell. Five minutes later, the lanterns flicker to life in a burst of colourful sparks. I chose

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to make green, pink, purple, blue and naturally coloured lanterns. I’m hoping the colour combination won’t look too silly in the room and will actually just look cool. I complete the spell and stand there in silence for a second. It’s not until I turn to Harry with a huge grin on my face that he removes his hands from his mouth and lets out a huge cheer.

“You did it!” He says, sounding elated. He picks me up in a hug and spins me around the room, being careful of the bench and other items in the room after I lectured him so much

last time.

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“They turned out perfectly.” I beam at him. Since he picked me up, our heads are actually nearly at the same height for once, and without a single thought or moments hesitation, I link

my arms around his neck, pull him closer and kiss him. I want to blame the excitement, the heat of the moment or even his magic which I can pretty much always feel simmering through me, but if I am being totally honest, none of those reasons are why I am kissing him. I’m kissing Harry quite simply because I want to. I’ve wanted to kiss him for weeks, and he was just right there in front of me. I want it, he wants it, so what’s the harm?

Harry lets out a sound of muffled surprise but he doesn’t drop me or pull back. Instead his grip tightens on me and he hitches me up so that I can reach him easier. I kiss him until we’re both breathless then finally pull back. Harry holds me tight against his chest and my feet are nowhere near the floor. Harry is staring at me with a combination of confusion and awe. I push against him and he carefully slides me down his body until I can reach the floor. I shakily take a few steps back and turn away from him to check that the lanterns are undisturbed. I feel Harry step close behind me and he loops his arms around my waist in a loose hug.

“Not that I’m complaining, but what exactly was the reason for that? I only ask because I’d love a repeat performance and if there is anything I can do to increase my chances I want to know.” He speaks casually, but there’s a seductive edge to his tone and I can feel his breath in my hair. I turn in his arms to face him, blushing red.

“Would you believe me if I said it was a fluke?” I joke awkwardly. Harry raises an eyebrow and. shakes his head firmly.

“I might have believes it for the first few seconds, but once we hit the minute mark it started to feel very much intentional.” He grins at me and I groan. I shouldn’t have kissed him first, now he’s going to be impossible!

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“You didn’t answer my question.” He presses on.

“What do I need to do to arrange a repeat? Because I could always-” I reach up, grab his collar, yank him down and press my lips against his in a brief kiss. I release him and push him away from me, needing a little distance. I pick up two of the lanterns to take them out to start placing them around the bar. Harry does the same, seemingly stunned into silence. It’s (not until I’m placing the final lantern when he replaces his tongue.

“I’ve figured it out. I stayed silent and you kissed me, I talk too much and you kiss me again. You’re just kissing me to shut me up.” He declares, although he doesn’t appear all that bothered by the conclusion. I stare at him, daring him to object. He holds up his hands in a

shrug.

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“Hey, I’m all for it. I always have plenty to say so I look forward to you silencing me whenever you like.” He winks at me and I roll my eyes.

“Harry… Shut up and help me get this place cleaned up. We open in an hour.”