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Naomi squeezed my shoulder. “You can’t help that. I know you don’t like feeling helpless, but it’s something he has to do on his own.”
“I know.” I fumbled my fingers. “I just hate seeing him in pain. I wish I could take it away. You know.”
Maddox sat next to me. “You really love him, huh?”
“So much, it feels like it could kill me.”
His eyebrows raised. “Jeez, well if I meet someone who loves me half as much as you do him, I’ll count myself lucky.”
My spirits brightened. “Wait, did you say something nice?”
“Think of it as a wedding gift.”
“You did actually get me a real gift, right?”
He lifted his hands nonchalantly. “Wait until you hear my speech.”
I tilted my head. “Edmund’s doing my speech.”
He pulled a few pieces of paper from his pocket. “Then what’s this?”
Naomi clicked her tongue. “You are not doing the speech. Don’t worry, Elle. I’ll keep an eye on him today. We’re going to get ready anyway. It’ll be starting in fifteen minutes, and my hair isn’t done.”
I smiled as I watched them bicker out the door. I loved my family. I picked at my nails but stopped. Naomi had just done them.
I heard her before I saw her. Mona pressed open the cracked door, a small black bag hanging from her fingers. Her fiery-auburn curls were smoothed into a high bun, with occasional loose curls hanging down. Her deep-purple dress brought out the blue in her eyes. “Ellie, you’re so beautiful.” She rushed to me and curled her arms around me. “I got you something.” She pulled out a two-finger ring of silver, with branches and leaves curling outward, and a thick bracelet to match. “I saw it and thought it would suit you.”
“I love them.”
She placed them on me. They matched my dress perfectly.
“Thank you.”
“I know we haven’t had much time together.” She picked at her freshly painted nails but stopped, just like I had. “It’s why I’ve decided to stay here for a while. I love my work, but I’ve missed all these years with you… and my magic.” She wiggled her fingers. “It’s been stronger here. I figure, what’s a few years in the grand scheme of things? I can join a coven or something.”
I felt the pulse of the vial in my pocket. I loved Maddox so much for finding me a dress with pockets. “I have something for you if you want it.” I pulled out the vial. “You can be a goddess, like me, if you want.”
She parted her lips, her eyes widening.
I pushed it into her hands. “Don’t decide now. Take your time, years if you want, but know it is yours if you ever do want it.”
She tucked it into her bag. “This is incredible. I want to try out a little more magic, but I have to admit, it’s definitely tempting.” She leaned over and kissed my cheek. “I’m proud you’re my sister. Everyone’s talking about you in town, how you killed Freya and protected them from her murderous instincts.”
“It’s probably the first time they’ve talked about me in a good light,” I said. “Maybe they won’t put down human-born witches in the future.”
“No.” She giggled, mirroring my own. “I don’t think they will.” She looked up and down my dress. The cleavage slit ran down to just above my navel. “If Miss Thompson could see you now.”
I laughed. “She’d probably keel over.”
She snorted. “Good riddance.”
I whipped my head around when I heard footsteps. Edmund and Dora appeared, holding hands. “Finally,” I whispered to Mona. “I’ll meet you out there.”
She squeezed my hand. “Good luck.”
She left, smiling at Edmund as she passed. He was already doting on her. He turned his pale eyes to meet mine. “Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked for the hundredth time since Raiden had proposed.
Dora tut-tutted quietly. “Edmund, stop.”
