Page 36 of The Banshee and the Warlock

"With cute ears," he teases, giving them a wiggle.

Despite the seriousness of the conversation, I let out a laugh. "Yes, with cute ears." I sigh and look down at my hands.

"So if you can accept that I'm not evil because of what I am, why can't you accept that you're more than your magic? Banshees aren't even malicious, all they do is foretell death, they don't cause it."

"I don't know, because it feels like my whole life I've been building to finding out what I am, and it's strange to think that it's so..." I trail off, not really knowing what I'm trying to say.

"You're just forgetting all the other things you are," he points out. "You're beautiful, smart, determined, sexy, funny, and adorable." Every word he says rings true within me.

I nod and look out over the academy grounds. "I guess it's not right to judge my magic on the preconceived notions I have of it."

"That too. There's going to be so much that you can do with them that you don't even know about yet."

"Is it weird that I'm at Rosewood without understanding any of my magic?"

"We're all at Rosewood to learn," he points out. "Some of us know more about doing our thing when we come here, but it doesn't change the fact there's a lot we don't know."

"I guess that's true." And I did hope I'd be able to work out what I was by coming here. That's a goal accomplished, even if it isn't the answer I really wanted.

"I'll help you in whatever way I can," he says.

"I think I need to talk to the woman in my dreams again."

"Okay, we can do that. Though we might need to make a stronger potion this time," he says.

"Do you know how?"

He nods. "I do. We can try later, if you want? Or would you prefer to get some sleep?"

I snort. "I'm not going to be able to anyway. But if you'd rather have a rest..."

"As opposed to spending time with you? I'd be a fool for sleeping."

"I'll be unconscious for most of it," I point out.

"And not for the rest," he counters. "And if it means that you can get a greater understanding of what you are and how your powers work, then it's fine by me."

I shift on the bench and lean in so I can kiss him, wanting him to know just how appreciative I am of his support. He cups my cheek in his hand and kisses me back softly, but even that's enough to remind me of the need swimming around within me, desperate to be sated by something only he can give.

Perhaps tonight can hold the answer to more than one thing for us.

Chapter 16

Anja

It's less weird to be in the Potions classroom than it was the first time. Probably because we've been in the main academy when we weren't supposed to be several times now, and it's never gotten either of us into any trouble.

Cethin cuts an even bigger mugwort root than last time and pushes it into the already bubbling cauldron. He sprinkles in the lavender and something I don't recognise, a serious expression on his face. He checks some notes on his mirror, and then steps back.

"How long do we have until the potion finishes?" I ask him. Despite weeks of lessons, I'm not very intuitive when it comes to potions. Which I guess makes sense when I consider what my magic can actually do. At least I seem to have found myself a boyfriend who does know what he's doing.

"About half an hour," he responds. "Why?"

"It doesn't need tending to, right?"

He shakes his head and narrows his eyes at me. "What are you planning?"

I bite my bottom lip and head over to the door to check it's still locked. Satisfied that it's fine, I head over to the desk beside him and hop up, sitting on it and considering the best way to suggest this. I lean forward, knowing the shirt I chose to wear tonight leaves very little to the imagination when I do that.