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“He’s from the mainland. He missed the last ferry and was camping out on the beach.”
Ivy stares at me, and I’m sure she can see right through my lie, see the dark magic snaking through my veins. Then one side of her mouth pulls up and she stands. “Well, that’s going to require another cup of tea, isn’t it?”
Before I can respond, Ivy is out the door and rushing down the stairs. I hear her in the kitchen, and then she’s back in my room. She closes the door behind her and climbs onto the bed, curling her legs beneath her and pulling her tea to her face.
“I’m ready,” she says.
I laugh and take a sip of my own tea. I tell Ivy all the details Ican without giving away who Wolfe is or what kind of magic we practiced. I only tell her what it was like to be in the water with him, but it’s enough. Ivy drifts closer to me, and by the end of the story, she’s hanging on each word as if it’s a lifeline.
When I finally finish, she’s quiet for several seconds.
“Damn.”
“That pretty much sums it up,” I say. I pause before speaking again. “Last night was the first time in my life I can remember making a choice solely for myself, without thinking about what my mother would say or how it would affect the coven. And it worries me because—” I cut myself off. There are certain things that should not be spoken aloud.
“Because it felt good?”
I look at Ivy and nod, ashamed of myself.
“That’s nothing to worry about. I’d be more concerned if you didn’t enjoy making choices for yourself.Of courseit felt good. You carry a lot of responsibility, and it’s heavy.” Ivy’s brown eyes are filled with so much love for me, so much understanding. She reaches out and grabs my hand, squeezing tight. “I’m so glad you had a night when things didn’t feel quite so heavy.”
“You are?” I ask.
“There’s something beautiful about it. Even though so much of your life has been mapped out for you, you still had this night that was entirely unscripted. Entirely your own.”
I’m embarrassed when my eyes fill with tears. I turn away from her and wipe my face, taking a deep breath.
When I’ve regained my composure, I look at Ivy and offer asmile. “Thank you for saying that.” I lean into her, and when we’ve finished our tea, I take our mugs and set them on my dresser.
“Okay,” I say, standing in front of her and spreading my arms. “Make me presentable for my future husband.”
“Tana,” Ivy says, her voice chastising, “there’s only so much magic can do. Go shower.”
She watches me for several seconds, and then we burst out laughing. I do as I’m told, running the shower as hot as it will go. Scalding water pours over my head and down my body, washing away any trace of Wolfe, any trace of our night together.
I turn off the shower, watching until the last drops of water swirl down the drain. Then I get out, dry off, and prepare myself for Landon.
I begged my parents to let me come down the stairs before Landon arrived, but no such luck. My mother wants me to make an entrance.
I can hear my parents doting on him, and I nervously look at Ivy. “Think they’ll scare him off?”
“I suspect he’s used to involved parents,” she says.
“Thank you for this morning.” I take a final look in the mirror, but I know I look perfect for the occasion. Ivy’s magic erased any trace of last night. My makeup is subtle and fresh, making my blue eyes pop and my lips look as if I’ve just licked them. I used my own magic to blow out my hair and smooth it back into a classic chignonmy mother will love. I’m wearing a camel-colored shift dress, a string of pearls around my neck, and nude leather shoes with a square heel.
It isn’t what I would have chosen for myself, but I look put together and classic, and most importantly, I look like someone who belongs by Landon’s side.
“You’re welcome,” Ivy says, handing me my shawl.
I give her a quick hug, then take a deep breath and walk toward my bedroom door.
“Tana?”
I turn and look at Ivy.
“Enjoy yourself.”
I nod and open the door. When I come around the bend in the stairs, I see Landon waiting at the bottom for me. He smiles when he sees me, and much to my surprise, I smile back. Relief floods me as I realize it’s nice to see him.
