Page 5 of The Tea Witch's Promise

"Two of the newcomers' familiars got into a fight. A bat and an owl are having some trouble sharing the same space, apparently," she reported. "I mediated and we sorted it, so it shouldn't happen again."

"Looks like Howie isn't the only owl causing trouble for his ward," I remarked.

"Is Oliver still struggling with his familiar?" Mum asked.

I nodded. "I tended to his wounds a few times this week. I'm not sure what's going on with this owl. Maybe there's something in the water."

Earl hummed. "Why would there be anything in the water? The water is the same as always, ask the Millers. They're the ones watching the stream."

"It was a joke," I said to my younger brother.

He looked down at his plate. "Oh."

Mum rubbed his arm affectionately. "Don't mind it. Speaking of wards, there’s talk of hosting a ward ceremony."

"What's that?" Cami asked between bites.

"It's something for younger wards who don't have their ward tattoos yet. A chance to integrate them into the community," she said.

"What's that got to do with us?" Earl interjected, as always too blunt and earnest for his own good. "We're not wards, we're tea witches."

Jasmine reached down to pick up the napkin she dropped. "It's a community event, we all need to be on board to host something like it. They might need us to contribute some funds. Since we live and work together with wards, it's not a bad thing to invest in the new generation."

I chuckled. "You talk like you're an eighty-year-old grandma, Jas."

"I'm just looking at things from the perspective of a leader in the community," she countered.

Mum nodded. "Your sister is right. Purple Oak Oasis only works because of the balance and cooperation between the four families. That's always been the cornerstone for our stability and the reason we get to be community leaders. We shouldn't do anything that could rock the boat."

"I know, I know. I never said I was against it. If the wards want to do a ceremony, we'll help. If you want, I'll talk to Oliver next time I see him in the infirmary. With how things are going with his owl, that might be later today," I offered.

"I believe Katie will be organising it," Mum said.

I felt a smile rise up to my face but I forced myself to keep a neutral expression. "Sure, then I'll talk to Katie instead. It's all the same to me which Fields I organise with."

That was a total lie. As much as I loved and appreciated Oliver, he was just a friend to me whereas I'd always seen Katie in a different light. Not that I would let anyone know because just like Mum said, the delicate balance between the four families should not be disturbed. And that meant that there was a very good reason for nothing ever happening between me and Katie.

Even if I wanted it to.

Chapter4

Katie

Banjo was raringto go the moment I opened the front door. He loved being outside no matter the weather. Though luckily for me, the frosts Naida had predicted had already passed. I was sure they'd be back, the winter season was far from over, but I was glad to have a break from them for now.

I made my way down the path, slightly surprised to find Brew waiting for me at the start of my patrol route, even if I'd known to expect him.

He was leaning against a fence while three women stood a little closer than necessary, especially when one of them was old enough to be his mother, and they were definitely flirting with him while he was being his normal charming self. I couldn't blame them. Even if I'd never go there with Rooibos Brewster, there was no denying that he was one of the most eligible bachelors in Purple Oak. It was hard to think of anyone who would beat him. Though I suppose Oliver would be up there, as would Grey Steeper. And maybe Brew's younger brother, but Earl was barely twenty-two and had all of his adolescent awkwardness still.

I looked Brew up and down. I supposed it wasn't entirely unwarranted. He was tall, handsome, and from a wealthy family. He was a catch to anyone who hadn't known him for two decades. All I could see was the boy who used to pee in the stream or cry when the chickens came too close. Not exactly swoonworthy material.

He noticed me but didn't come over right away. Banjo didn't care and raced towards him, pushing his way in between the women so he could say hello to everyone, though he was mostly after the attention of the tea witch who was supposed to be meeting me.

The women fawned over my dog who lapped up the attention almost as much as Brew had, his tail wagging so fast I worried he was going to damage it. Brew finished whatever story he was telling that was making the women giggle and they left, practically floating away on pink clouds.

I rolled my eyes. It was classic Brew. He never took anything seriously.

He skipped the last bit and gave me a goofy grin. "Hello, Katie."