Page 60 of The Witch’s Daughter

Jaxon raised the vial to his lips and downed the liquid. His throat worked as he swallowed. Tremors racked his body. He coughed into his fist.

Please. Gods. Please. I grabbed the edge of the table, my knuckles turning white as I looked for more antidotes. Charcoal, maybe, to bind with the toxins in the gut. Or something to induce vomiting.

Jaxon tossed the empty vials onto the table and cleared his throat. “See? No problem.”

I looked up at his playful smile.

He’s okay! My wolf howled.

I inhaled a full breath, tasting the sweet moment of relief. I did it. Simple witchcraft. No one died. He…

I let out a war cry as I leapt over the table and slammed my fists against his chest.

“I’m going to kill you, you fucking idiot!” I screamed as Jaxon staggered back. He was caught off guard. It was the only reason I was able to move him, but I didn’t relent.

“What is wrong with you?” I shoved him again. “How could you do this to me?”

“Tisiphone, stop.” He regained his footing and held up his hands. “I watched you make both the poison and the antidote. You did everything right. I wasn’t afraid.”

“You should’ve been.” My body shook with rage as I clenched my fists at my side. “This isn’t a joke. Even simple spells I can screw up in an instant. My magic isn’t the same anymore.”

“Really?” He cocked an eyebrow. “Because your magic has been working just fine today.”

“That’s not…” My voice trailed off when I realized we were drawing the attention of the whole testing grounds.

“That’s not what?” Jaxon pressed, like he always did. “Because you know what I think? The signs are all there.”

“Stop,” I whispered, feeling the eyes on me.

“No.” Jaxon growled. “This has gone on long enough. It’s time someone called you out.” His wolf flashed in his eyes as he towered over me. “Your magic works just fine when you’re with me and your coven.”

“I don’t have a coven,” I whispered, taking a step away. And I caught Gentry’s eye as I said that. Watched his face fall. “Wait… I didn’t mean—”

“That’s right,” Jaxon snarled. My anger unleashed something in him I’d never seen before. “No coven. No mate. Reject us. That’s what you’re good at.”

It was as if he’d shot an arrow through my heart and I clutched my chest, eyes filling with tears as I stared up at him. “I never rejected any of you.”

“Didn’t you?” The pain on his face was all too real, betraying a truth I’d been too blind to see.

Somehow, I had a memory of that day in the graveyard. After hearing my Gram corner Jaxon, telling him to protect me at all costs.

“I release you from your vow, Jaxon Cadejo.”

“No.” I shook my head. “Not like that. It’s not how I meant it.”

“Maybe not.” All the humor drained from tone. “But how many times since then have you said the same thing? How often have you pushed me away?”

“I was trying to keep you safe,” I cried.

“That’s not an excuse.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I had nothing, but still I gave you everything, crawling back like a starving wolf for a scrap of your attention, only for you to deny me again.”

The tears were falling now in earnest. I closed my eyes, wishing everyone would stop watching as Jaxon ripped my heart out. “I didn’t know.”

“Sure you didn’t.” His voice was cold. “If that’s true, you’re a bigger fool than I am.”

“Jaxon, please…” I begged.

“Please, what?” He growled. “Go away? Leave you alone? Stop caring? Stop loving you? Stop hoping you won’t tear me to shreds every time we meet?”