Big Beautiful Witches: I Married A Warlock Read Online Free PDF Page A

She laughed bitterly. “It would have to be an extra large dinner plate.”
    Erik glanced down at her with a gleam in his eye, and a smile curving his lips. “I like your curves.”
    Fiona managed a rueful smile. “That makes one of you.”
    “You always were too hard on yourself.  I guess with a mother like yours it’s inevitable. You did well to move away from her.”
    She shrugged.  “Not everyone would say that it’s a step up.” 
    “What about you? Are you happy here? Other than nearly becoming a goblin snack?”
    Fiona almost blurted out “A goblin five-course meal, you mean.” She had to struggle with a tendency not to put herself down, especially after encounters with her mother.
    But instead, she said “I am happy here.  The only people I could serve with my plant magic in my mother’s neighborhood were old men who wanted an herb that would stiffen their wand when they visited their mistress, or spoiled society women who want to look prettier than all their friends.  Here, I can really help people.”
    “I’ve heard that you do wonders here.  I’ve heard that your store is such a marvel that the cream of high society actually flock to see you, even in this hellhole.”
    “You’ve been asking about me?” Fiona couldn’t help herself; an ember of warmth flared inside her, as well as a sense of wonder. Erik always seemed to be genuinely interested in her, in what she was doing.
    It made no sense. 
    Then again, Erik was one of the most genuinely decent people that she knew. He came from an upper class family, like she did, but he always treated all members of society, from the beggar and the lunatic to the Council Wardens, as his equal.
    He was kind to her out of pity, she suspected. 
    They arrived back at her shop to find Renoir standing outside, with the shop door locked, key in one hand, Fiona’s purse in the other.   His delicate features were wrinkled with worry, but he smiled when he saw her.
     “Well, you’re a hot mess,” Renoir said, handing her the purse.  “What were you thinking, running into that neighborhood without protection? When tall, blond and handsome came by the shop looking for you just now, I told him he had to go get you right away.”
    “Oh,” Fiona said, surprised.  “Renoir, your little fairy butt saved my life tonight!”
    Erik had been looking for her?  She had been so shaken up by the attack that she hadn’t even stopped to question how Erik happened to be in exactly the right place at the right time.
    “I can never tell if she means fairy or faerie. You know what I mean?” Renoir said to Erik, who looked baffled.
    Fiona managed a shaky laugh. “Renoir, let’s be real here – you’re the fairiest faerie I know.”
    “Speaking of which, I have a date at Sticks & Stones with the most delightfully butch elf you could possibly imagine, so I must dash. If I’m late he’ll whip my heinie – which is why I’m going to fly there veeery slowly,” he added with a wink.  His glimmering wings, which he kept folded tight against his back inside the shop, popped open and spread wide,  and suddenly he was hovering several inches from the ground. “Toodles!” And he flew off north, with a cheery wave.
    “That must be so great. I’d love fairy wings,” Fiona sighed enviously. Then she turned back to Erik. “Thank you again, Erik. How long have you been back in town?”
    “Two weeks. It took me a while to find you.  I stopped by your house, but your mother pretended that she had no idea where you were. Seemed to think that I was there to arrest you. Is there anything that you want to tell me?” his blue eyes twinkled.  
    She tipped her head back to look up at him, a smile quirking her lips.  “Well, you do realize that my mother always expects the worst where I’m concerned.”
    “Is she wrong? I used to think that Maizie always dragged you into trouble, but then I realized that you hung out with Maizie because you like trouble.”
    Fiona