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But today, it brought me to heaven and then slammed straight back to hell.
Unyielding. Unbreakable. Unforgiving. For now.
A reality that furthers my misery.
“How will I forgive him?” I whisper to my empty bedroom back home. We arrived back on our familial sacred ground after days of traveling—a time where truths my sister had no choice but to confront slapped her in the face. They hurt me too. To know our people, those we trusted, were the cause of so much pain.
So many witches dead. So many more hurt.
That dungeon where we found the women and children, all abused and incarcerated for their blood, was a nightmare. Heartbreaking to find them so afraid—malnourished and mistreated by their coven leader who for years faked his love for my family. Salicio’s loyalty was easily broken by the promise of money and power.
“How can I leave the ones who need me here?” I won’t deny that it’s an option. And while the universe has a way of always placing us where we need to be, I want to deny destiny the pleasure of my tears.
A gentle breeze sweeps into the room from the open window, and I throw my legs over the edge of the bed while ignoring the pain. It’s settled a bit, more a low throb now, and the cool floor feels good on my feet.
As if pulled by a string, I walk over to the window and gaze up at the sky. The moon is high tonight, full and beautiful while illuminating the area where my ever-present torment marks me as his.
Large and bold, the perfect image of his dark wolf, the piece encompasses the entire expanse of my thigh—beautiful and intricate—a mirror image of his beast. I also won’t deny it’s given me solace through lonely nights when I have missed him, but tonight it’s the opposite.
I’m torn. Struggling.
Duty or love. My people or my pride.
Going back to England will cost me. Of that, there’s no doubt. But how much? What will be left of me?
We met by the lake and in our dreams, but each time I’m the one who walks away. There’s no other choice. My heart evades the possibility of hearing the words that will forever break our bond. Even now, my breathing becomes choppy at the mere thought, and the muscle inside my chest squeezes tight.
The tattoo also strikes again with an acid-like blaze that rips a scream from my throat and I bite down on my knuckle, breaking the dermis. Blood stains my mouth and my skin is on fire, but it’s the unspoken words that haunt me.
I, Xadiel Evergreen, reject Isabella Moore, as my mate and Luna.
Is that my future the next time we meet?
“Get it together, Isabella. You are stronger than this.” Then again, it’s being here again. Surrounded by memories. Their scent that lingers in every nook and cranny of our childhood home. Mom and Dad are everywhere, and I’ve been so focused on my siblings, setting them on the right path, that I’ve neglected my emotions.
So, I let the tears fall.
One after another, I sob for our parents and how much I miss them. I cry for the man who was meant to be mine but wishes my kind dead over someone's greed and lies.
I let out everything I’ve bottled inside for the sake of not worrying my siblings while the moon sits high, watching. It bathes me in its light while the breeze wraps me in a hug that carries the lavish scent of lavender and reminds me of…
“Mom.” The winds pick up a bit, whipping at my face, and I close my eyes. I can almost feel her wiping each cheek, can almost hear her telling me everything will be okay, but just as soon it dies down.
I’m on my own again.
I also have a promise to keep.
“The path to happiness is paved by tears.”
* * *
“I’ve been looking for you, Isabella. Are you okay?” Meera asks, finding me inside my father’s office with a stack of papers in my hand. We’re following through on his final request, my sister and me, emptying the rooms of anything belonging to him and the family estate, from every document and book to familial heirlooms passed down from generation to generation.
Jewelry meant only for the Wiccan king and queen.
All of it will go into private storage for now; secret rooms that are only accessible by our command and hidden behind stone doors. There are three of those vaults on the estate and at various points. Moreover, without Gabriella and me, there is no access. No one knows the spell, and Leo is too young for that kind of responsibility.
I want the house ready for his return. To be as back to normal as can be.
