Page 39 of My Pleasure

As they were heading out the door, it swung open and a woman and two small boys walked in. “Oh, my goodness, I’m sorry!” She stood off to one side, to allow them to pass by.

Kiera went to exit the store, then stopped. Her stomach felt as if she had drunk a few shots of whisky. “Are you a fire witch?”

“Oh no!” the woman turned in circles. “Did I set a fire again?”

“No, hahaue,” the small boy on her left replied calmly.

Kiera waved her hands in front of her. “I can feel magic sometimes, fire magic makes my belly feel warm.”

Keran pulled on her sleeve. “Me too.”

The woman with bright red hair thrust her hand forward. “I’m Zoe Fabre, these are my sons, Yuki and Ame.”

Kiera took it. “I’m Kiera Sorrel, recently mated to Hunter Armstrong.”

Zoe looked at Hunter. “Unit warrior?”

He nodded. “Nu unit in Storm Keep.”

Zoe tilted her head. “Aren’t Meryn and Aiden in Storm Keep now?”

Kiera smiled. “We just left them to come here to get some clothes for dinner.”

Keran snapped his fingers. “Auntie wanted brownies.”

Zoe laughed. “That’s easy. Go down the street until you see a shop shaped like an oven. It’s run by a giant of a man named Peter. Just tell him they’re for Meryn.”

Keran looked at Zoe. “How did you know I meant they were for Auntie Meryn?”

“Because that woman was living off them when she was here.”

“Kiera let’s get her brownies, then head back. Unky Brennus said we can come back to do more shopping later,” Keran said, pulling her past the door.

“When you come back, do you want to play? We can introduce you to the other kids,” Ame offered.

Both Keran and Nicol looked at her. “Of course, you can come back and play.” She looked up at Zoe. “I don’t know when we’ll be back, but I’d love it if they could make friends.”

Zoe clapped her hands together. “Tell Meryn to give you all of our contact information. Anytime you want to come, I’ll show you around.”

“I like it here,” Keran said. “No fake uncles or Witches’ Council.”

Zoe gasped. “Oh, my goodness. Do you need to stay here? I can help.”

Kiera shook her head. “Hunter is handling it.”

Zoe took out her phone. “I’m texting my brother, if you need anything in Storm Keep, he can help.”

Kiera laughed. “I appreciate that, but I think we’ll be okay.”

“It’s no problem. My brother has been butting heads with the Witches’ Council anyway.”

Behind her, Hunter stepped forward. “What’s his name?”

“Mikel Appleblossom,” she replied, looking proud.

Hunter turned to her. “We served with Mikel for decades, he’s a great guy. I’ll introduce the next time we see him.”

“You know my brother! What a small world,” Zoe said, beaming at them both.