Love Potion #9 by Claire Delacroix

Dritta’s dismissiveness. “And so you still are.”
    Lilith’s heart skipped at that, then she gave her head a shake. Because Andrea didn’t know anything about being mahrime . Andrea didn’t know what she was talking about.
    Lilith was not Rom , not any more.
    â€œWhat does it mean?”
    Lilith grinned and held the screen door open with her toe, feeling suddenly playful. “May I eat at your wedding.”
    Andrea laughed with delight. “You will! I just know it! Wait until I tell Mitch about this.” She chuckled impishly as she darted up his porch steps. “He’ll be livid !”
    Lilith turned back to her house, her smile fading as soon as the door closed behind her. Old words echoed in her thoughts, despite the silence of the house.
    â€œIt is in your blood, child. Who you are will follow you.”
    No. Lilith frowned and locked the door. Nothing had followed her. They had cast her out. They had denied her and she would deny them.
    Lilith was Rom no longer.
    And that was that.
    Â 
    * * *
    Â 
    4
    The Emperor
    Â 
    â€œShe told you what ?”
    Livid proved to be a woeful miscalculation of Mitch’s response. He was incredulous, skeptical and mad as hops. Andrea tried to find another way to share the good news.
    Because it was good news.
    If only Mitch would listen .
    â€œThere’s nothing to get excited about, Mitch,” she said flatly. “I’m going on a cruise. And I’m going to meet the man of my dreams.” Andrea waved her hand airily. “It’s perfectly simple. Lilith said so.”
    â€œLilith said so.” Mitch echoed in a low growl and paced the kitchen. He was clearly fighting his urge to bellow like a boar. “You know, Andrea, that’s not exactly how love is supposed to work.”
    â€œSo, now you’re an authority on matters of the heart,” Andrea snorted. “What were those credentials again?”
    â€œOuch,” Mitch said flatly.
    Andrea tossed her hair. “I’ve at least got experience.”
    â€œOuch again.” Her stepson took a deep breath, then deliberately sat backwards on a chair. Mitch was clearly exasperated, and just as clearly bent on convincing her to change her mind.
    In a way, Andrea liked it better when he ranted. When Mitch got all cold and logical, it was harder to refute his points. Andrea braced her feet against the ground, folded her arms across her chest and dug in her heels.
    She was going on that cruise.
    â€œAndrea, think about what you’re saying.”
    Danger, danger. He was very cool and decisive. Andrea knew Mitch would have her agreeing with him but quick if she didn’t stick to her guns.
    She was going. “I have!”
    Mitch arched a brow. “Then consider the source.”
    â€œWhat does that mean?”
    Mitch frowned. “Lilith told me that she’s a witch.”
    â€œPshaw! Wiccans are as thick on the ground as bicycle thieves in this neighborhood. So what?”
    Mitch’s eyes flashed. “She says that she’s six hundred years old. Six hundred years, Andrea.” He arched an eloquent brow. “Is this the kind of clear thinking you want in an advisor?”
    Andrea blinked, surprised by this information. “She did?”
    Mitch nodded solemnly. “She’s nuts.”
    But Andrea shook her head. “I don’t think so. She’s certainly lonely, but she’s far too nice to be nuts.”
    Mitch exhaled and rubbed one hand across his brow. “So, now you’re a psychologist. Who says crazy people can’t be nice?”
    â€œMitch! Anyone can see that Lilith’s a sweet girl!”
    â€œWhich proves nothing.” Mitch’s lips drew to a thin line. “Think about what you’re saying!”
    â€œI know what I’m saying!” Andrea took a deep breath. “You know, you really should go and have a look at Lilith’s place. It’s so cute and it