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“Of course.” She runs a hand over my hair—so much like hers. I relax into her embrace, inhaling the familiar scent of honeysuckle. “I know I could have handled things better. I wasn’t prepared to lose your father.”

None of us were. He was perfectly healthy—or so it seemed—and in great mental health. No one could have seen the aneurysm coming. It shouldn’t have killed him. There must have been a way to save him. We’re magical, but it wasn’t enough.

Maybe that’s why my magic stopped answering me. It’s never enough. I didn’t think I needed it anymore, but I want it back now, and it still won’t come when I call.

No one knows, except for Sterling, that I’m not a witch anymore. Mom doesn’t even know.

I open my mouth to finally tell her the truth—that when she wasn’t paying attention, I lost more than my father. I lost our shared magic. I lost a part of me that was so important. It used to be my entire personality.

That’s not what comes out.

“I miss Dad,” I say slowly. “I’ll never stop missing him, but I miss being a real family too. Miss that more, honestly. Spending time together. Family trips. I miss when Leo wasn’t running around everywhere. I miss the days when Luke didn’t fake his smile. I miss… I miss being me, and I don’t know how to get it back. But I want to try. I’m tired of not trying.”

“I know, and we’ll get there.” A tear drips down her cheek. “We’re all different people now, but we’re still family. We still love each other.”

I nod subtly. “I love you.”

“I love you too, sweet girl.” She sighs softly. “Do you want to see the presents I got you?”

A good change of subject. I’m not sure how much more of this I can take.

“Presents?”

“Mhm.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “Your favorite paints. I know you ran out.”

I didn’t run out. That’s my excuse for not working on my art. Rather than saying so, I smile tightly. “Thanks, Mom.”

It’s the thought that counts.

“And,” she says, “we’re going to have a family dinner. I’ll even force Leo to help me cook. How does that sound?”

“As long as I don’t have to do the cooking, I’m here for it.”

“What about a board game night? It’s been a while, but I saw Monopoly out on the kitchen table…”

“Yes, please!” I giggle. “But not Monopoly, please. Literally anything else.”

“Of course. This week, it will be your pick.”

We can’t erase the hurt, but maybe we can make some new memories together.

Chapter 26

Sterling

Aurora has really found her place in the coven. After her event went off so well—with Rowan’s help, of course—Jewel was quick to give her more to do. She did the same for me, too, leaving us both giving the monthly announcements in her place.

“This month’s full moon is in Taurus,” Aurora says, her voice magically radiating through the room. “Full moons are all about receiving, and this is a particularly fertile one, if you know what I mean.”

The room fills with polite laughter, but a few of the elders give us a look of disbelief.

I pinch her hip behind the podium. “She means it’s a great time for plant magic, of course. Taurus is an earth sign.”

“Exactly, but it’s also ruled by the planet of love.” She winks.

She’s not wrong, and luckily, her delivery seems to amuse most. Even Jewel covers a laugh behind her hand.

I clear my throat. “We’ll be setting up a volunteer event for the community garden, to help us have a great yield this year. If you want to be involved, you can sign up right over there.” I point at a piece of paper hung up on the wall. “Or you can find the information on our social media. Whichever is easier.”