A week had passed since the entity's attack. Since then, Blair, Anastasia and Nate have been cooped up in the shop cleaning and rebuilding from the disaster. Her shop finally had some progress and it was looking much better than before. When the shop was destroyed, Blair was heartbroken. Although, now it served as an opportunity to expand her shop and renovate however she chose, which wasn't so terrible in everyone's opinion. Blair's bruises lightened and her stitches came out too. She was feeling like herself again and being around Nate, Anastasia and Maddox was the reason she hadn't wallowed down or given up.

It was super hectic around the store the whole day, but when sundown had finally come; it allowed them to take a momentary break. Nate had just finished installing the crystal chandeliers- that Blair chose herself. Anastasia arranged the front display counter and the vintage cash register- that was right out of Blair's wish-list. Apart from the hustling witches in the shop; there was busy brooms sweeping up the dust and feather dusters that diligently collected old cobwebs. The windows were barred with wood planks, so no one could see the magic at work inside the shop.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the locked door.

"Everyone stop right now," decreed Blair. The brooms dropped with the dusters and Nate's tool box sat down instead of floating mid-air beside him. Blair opened the barred door to familiar faces.

Jack beamed a smile. "Blair!"

"Hi, Blair," greeted Holly.

Blair opened the door to the welcomed visitors. Jack, Holly and her aunt Angela strode into the shop. "What brings you by?" she asked them.

"We brought drinks-" Angela held a full tray of iced-coffees from the cafe across the street.

"Oh, thank you," said Blair as she grabbed the tray from Angela. "You didn't have to do that."

"I know how hard you guys are working here, so I thought to give some support," said Angela. "Holly and Jack wanted to visit also."

Blair couldn't help but smile. "Let's enjoy these at the back," she offered.

She handed Anastasia and Nate their cups, but they continued to work. Blair took the visitors to the impromptu seats in the back. The night after the attack, Blair returned to her house where Holly had still lived. The next morning, Angela- Holly's aunt, had arrived to pick up her niece. At first, Blair was a bit reluctant to hand over Holly to someone she had never met. But that all changed after she got to know Angela Nightingale. She was a sweet, young woman with wavy blonde hair and baby blue eyes- that were just as kind as her nature. Blair didn't find any distrust in this woman. She was a healthy, happy human-being who was perfect to take care of Holly.

Through Angela, Holly, Blair and Officer Sloan got to know that Holly's mother had passed away, right after, she left Holly with her step-father. Blair didn't feel much remorse, but it was still a sad end for Holly's mother. Angela officially moved to Meadow-Mist yesterday, she even landed a teaching job at the local school. They both lived in the house across Blair's street, which was pleasant and most fun when they all wanted to get together.

"How long will the renovations take?" asked Jack as he drank his iced-coffee.

Blair contemplated for a moment. "It should be done by the end of this month," she hoped more than stated.

"Can we do anything to help?" asked Holly eagerly.

Blair shook her head. "You two need to concentrate on school," she said. Her answer disappointed them and it showed on their face, which she couldn't stomach. "But if you're free, then I can always use a helping hand unloading the boxes and cleaning up."

"We're free," both Holly and Jack spoke.

Blair chuckled. "Why don't you two go see if Ana or Nate need help?" The kids ran off as eagerly as they came. The front of the shop got exceedingly rowdy the moment they started working together. "Holly seems to be doing much better," she observed with a smile.

Angela's gaze dropped to the coffee in her hands. "I was worried that she wouldn't be able recover from what happened with her step-father," she shared. "But I've seen how she learns and has fun with you, so I wasn't concerned any longer."

Blair waved her hand. "Holly's a tough kid-"

"Maybe," interrupted Angela. "But there's magic in the way you talk-" Angela froze in her seat- "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"No, it's fine," Blair smiled knowingly. "I get that a lot."

Angela drank her coffee. "This town is very charming," she said. "The air is clean, almost pure. I've never been here before, but it feels more like home than anywhere else I've lived."

Blair nodded thinking of her time here and all the people, especially Maddox. "I know what you mean," she said. "Meadow-Mist holds a very dear spot in my heart."

"I think this town is growing on me too," Angela chuckled.

Blair's ears suddenly perked. "Why did it get so quiet out there?" she asked as the noise at the front of the shop vanished. Blair got out of her seat and went to the front to investigate. No one was at their posts, instead they all had gathered on the floor. Of course, Angela didn't see, but Nate was showing Jack and Holly a magic trick with a silver coin.

"Is this what you two meant by helping?" She put her hands on her waist and regarded the kids with strictness in her narrowed eyes.

"I'll get them out of your hair, Blair," said Angela. "Come on, Holly, Jack."

Blair opened the front door. "Make sure this boy gets home, Angela-" she looked down at Jack's mischievous grin- "he tends to wander."

"But can't I stay with you, Blair?" asked Jack.

"Come to my shop bright and early tomorrow," said Blair. "It's Saturday, so you should be allowed to stay over. Holly can come too."

Holly and Jack made their promise to meet her tomorrow, and then, they followed into Angela's car to go home for the evening.

"They're cute," said Anastasia.

Nate dusted his jeans. "We should head home for the day too," he said, "I'm exhausted and hungry."

"I'll lock up," said Blair. "You two head home first." Her cousins left through the portal and returned to the house.

The shop felt a bit eerie when the silence crept in around her. The golden sun streamed in through the barred windows. She looked around the new shelving and counter tops making her feel a tad bit proud. Blair locked the front door and the back too before. When suddenly, the door behind her opened.

"I was just coming-" announced Blair thinking one of her cousins came to see where she was. When no one answered, she turned to find Maddox behind her. He was still dressed in a fine steel-grey suit, looking rather handsome. However, it was that grin, which mesmerized her. She met his smouldering gaze, that was becoming quite memorable for her.

"I thought you'd still be here," he said as he approached her with a lazy stride.

Blair shyly retreated and moved towards the counter thinking it would protect her somehow. "I was just heading home," she told him. Blair didn't really understand why she was suddenly feeling a little shy. It's not like this was the first time she was alone with Maddox. But it had been a while, since they got a moment to themselves. Blair's cheeks flared and she tried her hardest to compose herself. "How was work?" she asked him to avoid any suspicion.

"Busy as always," he answered as he leaned his hip against the counter. "The shop is looking better."

Blair nodded. "We got all the trash out and cleared up the space," she said curtly. "I have a few ideas for the refurbishment-" it was sudden when Maddox moved from his spot and came over to her side- "what are you doing?"

"What ideas were you thinking?" he asked softly.

"Er-" Blair was surrounded by his rich cologne that was deeply sensuous. He blocked her path purposefully, which made her even more shy. She didn't even dare look into his amber eyes from this close proximity. "I was thinking of repainting and taking down the wall over there, so the shop opens up more," she tried to speak, but no matter how hard she tried it didn't work to hide her nervous state.

Maddox's hands inched up her bare arms. "I think repainting is a good idea," he alleged tenderly.

A chill crawled down her body. "Nate and Ana thought so too," she said breathlessly. Maddox tilted her head back and angled his lips over hers. "I also...also-" her lips were sealed with a sweltering kiss, that was unhurried and tantalizing.

Maddox detained her to the counter and made sure she felt his kiss through every fibre of her body. Blair drowned in the delight that he provided for her. She slowly slipped away all of her defences and surrendered. Her arms circled his neck, she pulled him down closer to her as she clawed for more of him. Blair took control. She fastened her lips tighter against his and took what she desired. Maddox gave it to her without hesitation. Like a spring blossom, Blair bloomed under his touch and against his demanding lips.

Blair released first. She looked down at her shoes, so Maddox wouldn't see her embarrassing blush. "What brought that on?" she whispered.

Maddox softly kissed the faint scar on her forehead of the wound that had healed. "I missed you all day," he confessed.

Blair leaned into his arms that were caged around her. "I missed you too," she heard herself sharing.

"I was hovering over the portal at my place wondering when you'd come over," he laughed briefly. "So, I just gave up and came instead." Blair bit back her smile. She looked up at him and began fixing his dark tie. Maddox leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Will you come over to my place?" he asked against her ear. His lips brushed her jawline, then travelled down her neck, right over her erratic pulse.

"Not tonight," she said. "I have lots of work that needs to be done."

Maddox nipped her throat, startling her. "That's too bad," he held her chin and kissed her lips quickly. "I had a whole night planned."

"Are you baiting me?" she narrowed her eyes into slits.

"Maybe, maybe not-" he shrugged- "I guess you'll never find out."

Blair shook her head. "Go home," she nudged him away from her. "We've got lots to do."

Maddox groaned. "I'm not busy at all though," he said as she pushed him towards the portal door.

"You still have to renovate your living room, don't you?" asked Blair.

"I'm in no rush," he said. They stopped right in front of the door.

Blair pushed a strand of his tousled hair away from his face. "Get some rest," she instructed. "I'll try to come by to your place tomorrow night."

Maddox slouched on the doorframe. His long legs blocked her path. "I'll see you tomorrow then," he said.

Blair opened the door behind him. "Maybe, maybe not," she teased him back. "I guess you'll find out tomorrow." Maddox grinned along with her. They separately went inside the portal; Maddox left first to his home and then Blair went to her own house.

Majority of the lights in her house were off, but tons of candles were lit and the hearth of the fire was strong. Anastasia and Nate were on the couch; eating and drinking wine.

"What took you so long?" asked Anastasia.

Blair slumped on the chair next to them. "Maddox came to the shop," she told them.

"Oh, you didn't go with him?" asked Anastasia.

"I have to get the boxes down from the attic," said Blair. "After the shelving in my shop are put in, I'll start restocking my inventory. That way even though construction will continue, I can still open for business."

Blair took a sip from Ana's wine glass before she headed up the stairs to finish all the tasks at hand. Although, she was pretty disheartened that she couldn't spend the night with Maddox. As Blair sat in the attic digging through boxes and boxes of inventory, she got lost in her thoughts from the past couple of weeks. She met Maddox through a business deal, expecting it to be a dry-cut plan, it didn't turn out the way she had thought. When she first met him, he stood out to her and she would say it was because of his golden aura. But now, she knew it was his kind heart and playfulness that kept her intrigued.

Blair was a witch who had a shop and expected to go on living her best life. If she were being completely honest with herself, she never expected to get married or have kids, let alone find a boyfriend. But then Maddox came along. And somehow, she just couldn't cut him out of her life.

Blair could argue that she was forced into a corner when she told him her secret, but deep down she knew that she wanted him to know. Blair didn't worry too much about it anymore, it just led to a headache. Besides, it was all mystical to Blair that her life took such a drastic turn of events. She had no control, no matter how much she thought she did.

The arms of the clock hit midnight, when Blair finally finished her work. All the boxes had come down from the attic and arranged at the door, so she could take them tomorrow. Nate and Ana already fell asleep after the long day. Blair freshened up and slipped into her nightgown. She quietly crept down the stairs to get a light snack before heading to bed. Standing alone in her kitchen, eating a butter pecan Danish, she eyed the door under her stairs.

It's too late now, she thought to herself.

Blair finished the sweet and salty treat before she headed back upstairs to her room. But as she passed the hall, her feet lingered near the portal. She grabbed the cool metal knob, and then, she indecisively let it go. With one final push, Blair opened the door and walked through the portal with no thoughts in her head whatsoever.

In moments, she arrived in Maddox's study, which was pitch black except that the massive windows allowed the large streams of moonlight, that covered the entire floor in front of her. She climbed down the stairs and exited the office, when she heard a gentle chime in the dark suite; the melody of a piano piece. Blair sauntered into the living room, which was fully empty except for the kitchen and the piano.

The large windows let in bountiful light to fight the darkness in the grand space. Under the glint of the crescent moon, Maddox sat in front of the piano. His hair slightly wet from a shower, which was clear since he ditched his shirt and only had slacks on at the moment. Blair didn't make her presence known, she silently listened to the comforting melody- that was slightly hushed because the top of the grand piano was closed. Maddox played the piece exquisitely, and he appeared lost in the music like Blair. The light of the moon danced on top of Maddox's taut skin, that was glistening in her eyes.

She enjoyed until he finished a few moments later. But he didn't get out of his seat. "That was a beautiful piece," she said softly.

Maddox snapped his head around. "You came," he said. "But you said-"

"I changed my mind," she interrupted. "May I?" Maddox shifted down the bench and gave her room to sit. "Why aren't you asleep yet?" she asked as she played a short tune using the piano's black keys.

Maddox followed and found the same tune with the white keys. "I guess I was hoping for you to come to me," he alleged.

Blair played another melody, but it wasn't as unblemished as Maddox's. He laid his hand over hers and showed her how to do it. His hand was warm and kind as they both moved over the keys. Blair didn't even realize she was grinning like the Cheshire cat, when the music started to sound good.

"Want to see something cool?" she tilted her head and looked at Maddox. He simply nodded his curiosity. "Lift your hands off the piano-" he did as she said. They lifted their hands off the keys, but the melody continued. The soft tune echoed through the night, keeping them snug under the moon.

Blair didn't even realize, when Maddox caught her nape and pulled her towards him. His lips collided over hers, like he was eager to get a taste. The kiss was sweet like the melody Maddox taught her to play. She didn't know how much time passed, but it felt like an eternity. Maddox shifted her onto her feet, and then, he lifted her off the floor onto the grand piano. Blair combed her fingers through the soft locks of his dark, damp hair and relished the feel of this warmth surrounding her. His natural dark scent engulfed her in his world. She breathed in him and tasted only him; it was mesmerizing and delicious.

Maddox wrapped her legs around his waist. He settled between her legs closing any gap left. She timidly laid her hand on his chest, and under her palm, she felt his heart pounding fitfully. The sensation of his heart made her more nervous, that the butterflies in her stomach turned into a rapid storm. Her senses intensified when Maddox pushed up her nightgown. She moaned against his mouth, his hot breath tingling over her throbbing lips. She opened her legs wider and let him caress the skin inside her thighs. A growl released from his lips when he realized that she had no underwear blocking him. Maddox's nimble fingers came in contact with her molten core by surprise.

"Lay back, Blair," Maddox's voice was rough and dark.

"But the piano-" Maddox's ravenous gaze lifted meeting hers. The amber shards gleamed under the twinkle of the moon and they shined like a sunstone. Blair lost her words when his stern gaze was not to be meddled with. She carefully laid back down on the grand piano.

Maddox kissed the hot skin of her thighs. Slowly, he inched closer to the juncture of her legs where she was eager to feel his mouth. Maddox caressed between the fold of her core, her stomach quivered and she closed her eyes.

"Don't close your eyes," growled Maddox. "Look at me." 

Blair's eyes opened to Maddox hovering over her throbbing core. His tantalizing gaze held hers when his tongue licked over her core. She squirmed as he took from her everything that she kept locked away for no one to take. Maddox knew exactly how to unravel her body under his influence. She feared that she would crumble right in front of him. She would show him all of her raw, deep passions she never dared to tell anyone.

Maddox worked with skill and care whenever he was with her. His tongue worked together with his fingers as they thrusted into her drenched core. Blair raked her fingers through his hair; she didn't know whether to pull him closer or push him away. As her release climbed higher to the peaks of madness, she bit down on her lip to keep her from screaming her response to the pleasure. The whole time, his eyes stayed locked with hers. The intimidation was overwhelming, but undoubtedly stimulating.

"Maddox-" she gasped his name when he bit down on the throbbing nub. Blair instantly knew with he put another finger into her core. It was only seconds later, she shattered from her release. Blair took a moment to catch her breath, before she lifted her back off the piano and kissed Maddox's breath away. "Take me to your bed, Maddox," she whispered against his lips. Maddox lifted her off the piano and took her to his room without faltering.

Maddox was sweet one moment and then rough the next. The night passed without her even realizing how long they had kept going. Blair didn't know that feeling this way was even possible. When she kissed Maddox, she kissed him with love in her heart now. Blair was afraid to admit it, but this man stole her heart and she was the one who gladly handed it over. A witch who was afraid to reveal herself to anyone had now fallen in love.

Maddox's arms were wrapped around her body as they silently laid in bed when dawn broke outside. "What are you thinking about so hard that you can't sleep?" asked Maddox as he sensed her weariness.

Blair knew this was the only time, she was going to have the courage to ask Maddox about his feelings. She needed to know the truth if she was going to risk her heart for this bond. "Why did you believe everything I said?" she asked.

Maddox stiffened beside her. "What do you mean?"

Blair lifted off the bed, she turned over and crossed her legs. "I mean, up until now, you have always trusted my judgement, always believed everything I told you, without any doubt," she clarified. "When I told you I was a witch, you believed me and embraced me-" Blair shifted in her spot uncomfortably- "no one ever has, Maddox. So, why did you?"

Maddox got up as well. He faced her without any mask covering his face. His face never concealed anything from her like others had. His eyes were always genuine when he stared at her. "When I first met you, I was really nervous," he revealed. "You had this look in your eyes which showed me that you were special. It takes a great deal to make me tense or excited. But you had done both to me, in mere seconds upon locking eyes-" Maddox raked his tousled hair back- "And then when you told me that you were a witch, it didn't even cross my mind that you could be lying to me because it didn't matter. I knew that there was something special inside you and you proved it when you told me your secret."

Blair's eyes stung from the threat of tears and her throat tightened. "You thought I was special?" she asked softly.

Maddox smiled sweetly. "Being a witch doesn't change how I feel about you, Blair," he said. "I trust you with my life because your actions confirmed that you're honourable. You protected my family and me before yourself. You risked your life without hesitation and I admire that more than anything." Maddox leaned in closer to her. "My dad risked his life for me when I was a kid. And then, I met you. The girl who jumped in front of me when a demon was about to kill us all-" they chuckled- "Blair, I love you."

Blair's mouth dropped open. "Maddox-" she lost her words.

He shook his head. "It wasn't hard falling in love with you," he said. "I think it happened the moment you gave me this ring." Maddox held up his hand and displayed the ring she gave him to help him with his sleep. "I felt like I was yours from that point on-" his light laugh eased the tension in Blair- "and then I couldn't turn away from you, even if I tried."

No one had ever expressed their feelings towards Blair like that before. She had a loving family, but they always had someone to call their own. She felt as if she had a solitary place where it was only her and her magic. But that divide had been broken. Maddox entered her circle bringing light in with him.

Blair softly caressed his cheek with her hand making sure that he was real. "You've accepted me faster than my own parents," she said. "All my life, I had this notion that blood means nothing when it comes to family, because family is built of people who accept and cherish one another. And you just proved how right I was," she shared openly. "I see light in you, Maddox. A light that was only made for me-" Maddox leaned into her touch- "I am happy when I'm with you because I feel like I don't have to hide anymore. I don't have to put up a mask or an act," she believed. "I don't know if we're rushing this or maybe we're being naive. But, I love you because you're someone I can see my life becoming even better if in it." Maddox stretched over, he wrapped his arms around her trembling body. As tears slid down her blushing cheeks, Blair held onto Maddox like she'd never let go. "Thank you for brightening up my life," she said serenely.

Maddox grinned before he guided her back onto the bed and took her nice and slow. His gentle touch and soft lips confessed his love for her, just as much as he whispered it with every chance he got. And Blair gave her reply with a searing kiss that took their breath away every single time.