Sometimes, Butter missed being a real boy. This was one such time. His long human legs would have come in handy right about now as his mistress held him at eye level, while all he wanted to do was run away from her. The Woodgrip familiar was well aware of that expression. Mistress Pepper always looked at him that way when she was counting on him to have her back. 

Without words, Pepper was asking him: You with me on this, right B?

I am going to die; might as well die for a good cause, thought he, then licked her knuckles. "Meow."

"Are you communicating with him?" Sal asked, running his index finger over the kitten's spine. 

Butter loved it. "Meow." He concluded that Sal was being honest with Pepper when he said he had cats while growing up. 

"You are adorable, B."

"Hey." Pepper hugged her kitten to her chest. "Only I get to call him B. Please stick to Butter."

"Oh, I don't think I can do that."

"Why?"

"Because butter is slippery," Sal said, winking and making finger guns at Pepper. "See what I did there?"

"Oh, my Satan!"

"Yes?"

"What yes?"

"Well, I am sure you had something more to go with"—the man paused and imitated the witch—"Oh, my Satan!" Leaning in, he asked, "I am pretty sure the phrase is: Oh, my God. Be careful, or you will get on his bad side."

"I am a witch." 

The casualness with which his mistress revealed the truth shocked Butter. What the heaven was she doing? 

Then it dawned on him. Pepper was trying to get rid of Sal by exposing her identity. She had seen how most humans wanted nothing to do with witches or wizards, even if they thought that the deluded people worshiped pagan Gods or practiced Wicca.

"We pray to Satan. We don't care much for your lord," she added, closing the distance between them till only an inch or two separated their lips. 

Good. Now kiss. 

Yes, Butter knew it was too soon for that part, but one could entertain the thought, right? Also, Betta had told him about the power of manifesting. Yes, he thought it was just a superstition, but then again, there was no smoke without fire. There must be at least some truth to it. 

Kiss. Kiss. Kiss. Kiss.

"Just kiss and be done with it. People are waiting. Some are even betting on it. So, you guys doing it or not?"

Oh. Nooooooo. Why him? 

"Hello, Mr. Bolt. Lovely party." Salvador stood up, breaking the illusion of intimacy proximity had created. While he shook hands with Brandon, Pepper rocked Butter in her arms, running her fingers through his lustrous coat. 

It's alright, my lady. Stay calm. 

Butter did his best to put his mistress at ease by rubbing himself against her and licking her forearm: the only place he could get to at the moment. 

"I know. Moreover, by hosting it here, I can rest assured that I am getting my money’s worth." 

"I suppose." 

Brandon completely ignored Salvador’s response and crouched next to the table-for-two. "Hello, sister-in-law. What a surprise!?" He rested his chin on the table and looked between Sal, Butter and Pepper. “I always presumed you were single. How did you guys meet?”

The fake, honey-sweet tone made Butter narrow his eyes at the useless waste of space. When the perv reached for Pepper's hand, he held himself back from scratching the latter's face. "Meow," he hissed, hoping it would deter the man. It didn't. 

Sal moved quickly and grabbed Brandon's hand. "Mr. Bolt, when we met earlier, did I congratulate you?" He shook it like they had met after ages, and now that they had, it appeared as though the former was reluctant to let go. 

Yes! Sal to the rescue!

Pepper grabbed the chance to excuse herself and took her kitten with her. It didn't matter that Butter wanted to stay and see how the conversation unfolded.

Oh, darn!

After wandering far enough, she spotted a room and entered it without thinking. It was empty except for giant machinery. The witch stopped and took a few deep breaths. "What are we going to do?" 

Butter noticed a faint blush covering his mistress's cheeks. That pervert had scared his mistress pretty bad, huh? He shrugged. "I am all out of ideas, my lady. But I suggest you avoid him at all costs."

"Exactly. And how do we do that?" the witch asked, letting him down. “I can't use magic and risk ruining Felicity's party. But I don't know how to behave either. You have to help me, B.”

"Obviously. I promise I will do everything to keep him away from you, my lady."

Pepper grinned. "I knew I could count on you, B. You know I love you, right?"

"Of course. How could you not? I am adorable."

Pepper's brows creased. She blinked like she had seen a ghost, then shook her head and smiled. "You're funny."

"Well, thank you, my lady."

"Ms. Woodgrip, you're here!" Pepper turned and came face to face with Sal. "I have been looking all over for you," the man said, catching his breath.

"I am sorry. I was just-"

"I get it. No need to explain. Mr. Bolt is a pervert."

"What!?" 

To Butter, his mistress sounded surprised (and a smidgen shocked) at Sal's declaration.

"Oh, I am sorry. I thought we shared the sentiment." Sal looked as confused as Pepper had done moments ago. 

"Yes. I mean, no. Wait."

Silence stretched between them while Butter watched the two, hanging on their every word. 

Finally, Pepper said, "I thought you were from the groom's side. Aren't you friends?"

"Oh, hell no! I am not perfect, but he is trash. The kind of trash that doesn't know his place. I may be many things, but I am not like him. I don't take what I love without consent."

Butter's heart thundered. The two had drifted close again. Alas, it looked like his mistress was coming down with a cold. Her cheeks were flushed. The color had traveled to her neck and ears as well. 

"Oh." Pepper's reply was but a whisper. 

"Speaking of consent, is it a yes from your side?"

"What?" 

Thump. Thump. Thump. 

Butter was sure now. His mistress had caught a cold. Her heart was racing, indicating that she was about to come down with a fever. 

"Ms. Woodgrip, did you forget what you proposed before Bolt showed up?" 

"Meow." The kitten chirruped, wanting to break the trance-like state his mistress had fallen into.

It worked. The witch's eyes cleared up; she backed away from the man. "I remember, Mr. Hart."

"Good. Do you want to do it now?" the man asked, raising his brow.

"Sure," the witch replied, stepping further away from the alluring man.

"Brilliant." Sal smiled and turned his gold-rimmed eyes on the familiar.

Oh darn! I thought we were past this…apparently not.

"Meow?"

Chapter word count: 1173