Hail to the Queen (Witch For Hire 2)

“A powdered sugar repellent,” I answer honestly.

His full-bodied laugh is like sunshine, warming me from the inside out.

“Brilliant.” Little is said as we finish our snack.

“I thought we could wander Jackson Square for a bit,” I say, thinking of my odd new friend, Sabrina. She’d get a kick out of Cristobal, and I think vice versa.

“I haven’t been by in ages. It’d be interesting to see who’s still around these days.” We leave our plates, and he offers his hand. I loop mine through it, and we walk across the street to the square full of people on lunch breaks, tourists, palm readers, painters, and more. We peruse the tables slowly. I catch a glint of dark hair and spot Sabrina at the very end of the line. I tug Cristobal’s arm.

He smiles down at me. “What?”

“I want you to meet someone.”

He arches an eyebrow as I break away from the candle table and lead him to Sabrina.

She looks up and grins with a slight bow.

“My friend has come back to visit me and brought more royalty I see. It’s an honor, my Lord.”

“This is Sabrina, Cristobal. Sacha and I met her recently.”

“The pleasure is mine, Sabrina.”

“I see you took my advice?” Sabrina says cheekily.

I laugh. “I did.”

“I wondered if you would read for Cristobal.”

He clears his throat. “Not many can.”

Sabrina sits up straight. “I can, my Lord.”

He arches a thick brow. “If you’re sure.”

“Please, sit.”

He perches on the edge of the lawn chair, and I plunk down in the one beside him with glee. She removes the black velvet bag, and I feel the pull of the cards. There’s more to them. They have a magical weight that intrigues me. She slides the cards over to him.

“I want you to shuffle them until they feel right for you. I will do a simple three card spread.”

I admire his strong hands and long, artistic fingers as he shuffles the cards with ease and confidence. I can feel bits of his own magic sparking to the surface. I want to cozy up to him and rub against him like a cat. I settle for watching him like a stalker. There’s been a shift for me over the past week. It’s a combination of missing him, and our magic and souls beginning to settle in together.

He stops shuffling.

“Okay, now I want you to cut the deck four times, please.”

Why four?

Sabrina smirks. “Because his soul is no longer just his own. No, I don’t read minds. Your face was very expressive just then.” She winks.

When he finishes, she spreads the cards in a fan. “Pick three, whenever you’re ready.”

He pulls three. She flips over the first. The passionate couple embracing brings heat to my face and neck.

“The Lovers. You’ve met your match. The two of you complement one another perfectly. Your love is flourishing, never take it for granted, because love-starved can turn.” She flips the next card with five wands. “Hmm, the five of wands. You will f

ace competition and scorn. Together you’re very powerful, and others will seek to diminish or possibly possess that for themselves.” Cristobal tenses as she flips over the final card. A beautiful woman with brown skin, big amber eyes, and full lips greets us. A crown of flowers is woven into her dark hair. “The Empress. She stands for fertility and feminine energy. You will overcome your rivalries and grow. Her energy will be good for you and your people. As you join his court, you are stepping into a motherly role. The cards are giving you a blessing of sorts.”