Strings of Fate by Kit Bryan
Chapter 285

Strings of Fate

Cam 42- Thrill and torment

I watch on in delight as a group of young women gush over the magic lanterns. They even take photos to post on their social media. According to them, an unexpected bonus of the unusual lighting is that ‘everyone looks prettier by firelight‘ and I have to say I sort of agree. The lights are bright enough to show off a person’s features, but soft enough that they don’t draw attention to blemishes or bad dye jobs. Any time someone commented on the new decor up at the bar, Harry would loudly declare that this is just the beginning and that there are plenty more magical displays to come. I expected people to be interested but I didn’t realise just how popular the magical decor would be. I mean, it’s basically just rainbow fire. But apparently magic really is even less accessible than I thought these days and even this simple display is enough to keep people captivated. Although I’m sure the draw will wear off eventually. But that’s why I’m planning plenty of other magical decorations plus a few that I can rotate out seasonally and for special events.

The entire shift goes really well and I’m practically bouncing with glee as I lock up. Even the kitchen staff stopped to chat before heading out.They made sure to complement the new additions and to encourage my efforts. I know not everyone will love this, eventually I’m

going to get pissed off Witches and grumpy morons who think that magic is evil or whatever who will come by and cause trouble, but even that will eventually pass. I want this place to feel magical, but also comfortable and I want people to see that using magic can be normal. It isn’t something limited to prissy Witches or the very wealthy, or at least it shouldn’t be. This is the exact speech I’m giving to Harry as he walks me home, our fingers intertwined. He is nodding along, agreeing at the correct intervals and being generally attentive. I’m pretty much on top of the world. My day has been just about perfect. I DO kind of wish my family weren’t being so stubborn because I would love to show off my most recent spell to them and -show my appreciation for some of the lessons they taught me over the years. But unless they

decide to pull their heads out of their asses in the next few minutes I’ll just have to get along without it. I’m fairly sure they would disapprove of the entire venture anyway which was part of the appeal before I started but now I just kind of want them to be as proud of my accomplishment as I am. We reach my door and I don’t realise that I’ve fallen silent until Harry clears his throat, drawing me from my internal dilemma. He’s hovering very close to me and is obviously aiming for another kiss but is unsure if he should initiate one or not. I give him a half smile and lean in closer, resting my free hand against his chest and tugging him. forwards with our joined hands. With permission essentially given, Harry wastes no time in stooping down and kissing me until I’m dizzy. When he finally pulls back, it’s only the smallest amount and he rests his chin on my head holding me in a tight hug.

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“Can I come inside?” He murmurs into my hair and I sigh and force myself to step back.

“No.” I refuse in what I intend to be a firm response but it comes out as almost wistful. I like Harry, I really like him if I’m being honest. He’s practically everything I would want in a partner. But he is an Incubus. They love a challenge, he might believe he loves me now, but if I sleep with him he will lose interest. If I sleep with him he’s going to leave me and that will be the end of it. Pknow I can’t keep things like this forever, but there’s no need to hurry. anything along. I can enjoy his company and attention for a little while longer. Harry doesn’t argue or object to my decision to turn him down and put a little space between us, instead he just says good night and heads on his way. He’s going to have to walk back to the bar and collect his car then drive home. I know he brought it today since he needed it to collect the lanterns. But he didn’t even suggest driving me home, choosing to drag things out and walk. Since I really enjoy holding his hand I didn’t say anything. Still, after all that… I think I need a cold shower, and maybe some chocolate.

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Bo

The next week is both blissful and agonising. It’s blissful because I don’t think I’ve ever felt so accomplished and satisfied with my work. We make floating shot glasses, menus that hand. themselves out and any number of other magic themed decorations. I really wish that I could sell some of my magical drinks, but I need a permit to sell anything magical and I need to be part of a coven to get the permit. Still, I can’t help but daydream and plot out increasingly dramatic and impressive magical drinks and cocktails that I can never sell, although that doesn’t stop me from making a few of them anyway and Harry is always willing to test them

out for me. I’ve even drafted a menu of special drinks I will never get to serve. I could give them away for free occasionally, but that’s not really a great way to make money. Plus I need to be a little more cautious with the magic I give people now that I’m publicly demonstrating spells. The MRO either are or will be aware of the use of magic in my bar. I’m not breaking

y rules and technically giving away spells isn’t ill

but I should definitely avoid doing anything too sketchy. My week is blissful because I have breakfast or lunch with Harry almost every day, either stopping somewhere on the way to work or ordering something in while I’m working on the decorations and Harry does his own work. He takes any excuse to kiss me and I continue to respond enthusiastically. The week is agony because every night Harry walks me. home and asks if he can come in and every night I turn him down and kiss him goodnight when all I want is to drag him into my home and make him mine completely. I’m fairly sure that everyone believes that we are already sleeping together. I can’t blame them. Harry is at fairly demonstrative person and who WOULDN’T want to sleep with him? But I just can’t. Because as much as I want him, I want to keep him more and this is the price I pay, although there is an impending sense of dread with each day because I know I’m walking a fine line and it can’t last forever. Harry is patient, more patient than I ever would have believed that

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Bol

he could be. But there is no way he’s going to be okay with this forever. Even now I’ve noticed

07 that it takes him a few moments later to let me go each night, a few seconds longer to leave. And every night, I spend a few seconds longer watching him walk away before I head inside.

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