CHAPTER 22

 

 

“You’ll be okay?” Astix stood in the entryway with one foot literally out the door. “We need to get back to the cabin and strategize. Pack another bag and come with me.”

Aisanna leaned on the banister. “I’ll be along in a little bit. Go home to your man and don’t wait up for me. We’ll figure this out in the morning.”

“We’ll get her back.”

“Are you sure? We’re two down,” Aisanna said. “Two siblings down and I swear to God, I feel like this is the end.”

“I’m not usually one to make blanket statements about looking on the sunny side, and I’m not this time either. The only thing I know? I know things will look better once the sun rises.” Astix glanced over her shoulder. “Come, soon. Okay?”

Aisanna held her arms out, though she didn’t expect a hug in return. Much to her surprise, Astix darted forward for a brief embrace.

“Don’t tell anyone and ruin my reputation,” Astix whispered.

Aisanna gave a brief squeeze. “Just let me enjoy it, please.”

Astix left with little fanfare. Aisanna then spent too much time in the living room staring out the window, watching dawn break, knowing she needed to get gone and lacking the willpower to do it. She moved silently throughout the house and sent wave after wave of magic out to her baby sister. It didn’t surprise her when they went unanswered.

Karsia was gone. Aisanna’s life was in shambles, and she was basically waiting on the Claddium to come and cart her away. She could look forward to spending the rest of her life in the Vault for what she’d done to Orestes and Zelda.

What was the point of fighting?

She lay on the couch with her head resting on the arm. Despite the hour and the weight on her mind, she slept little. Her mind was too full of her sins, not the least of which was her blame for what had happened.

Karsia needed the time to adjust, to come to terms with what had happened to her. Aisanna understood that. Still, she would need her wits about her to do what needed to be done.

She was awake when the grandfather clock in the hallway tolled six. Fists rubbed at dry eyes and she rose to check the window once more before heading down the hall for a drink of water. Mist rolled across the ground and covered the world in shades of grey. Beat down, weary, and even the sun refused to shine.

Certainly not what she’d signed up for when she agreed to summon a monster. There were too many things demanding pieces of her soul, demanding compensation.

Aisanna was on her third cup of coffee when her mother joined her in the kitchen. Instead of the usual put-together picture she presented, Varvara had not bothered with makeup.

“I’m sorry if I woke you,” Aisanna told her. “I need to get to the cabin but I can’t make myself move. Are you sure you won’t come?”

“If we leave, then who will be here if Karsia comes back?” Varvara gestured toward the near-empty pot. Lines rimmed her eyes and greasy strands of hair fell across her face. “We’d better start a whole new pot.” She leaned heavily against the counter and watched the machine click on and start to gurgle. “My baby is gone and my other children have targets on their backs.”

“Astix won’t stop fighting. It’s not in her nature.”

“And you?”

“I’ll do what I have to do.”

Aisanna heard a soft chuckle. “If it were anyone else, I’d say you sound like you’re giving up. But I know you. I swear we’ll get your sister back, and get the Claddium off our tail. This whole mess with Orestes and Zelda…it’s none of my business what they do until it impacts my children.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying I’ve made it my business.”

The deep chime of the doorbell sounding interrupted their talk. Varvara held up a hand. “Stay here. I’ll take care of this.”

Aisanna set her cup down with shaking hands. “They’re here for me, Mom. I should have left when I had a chance.” At once, fear overtook her, a feeling she’d yet to experience when facing the antithesis of what she stood for.

“Not under my roof.” Varvara sent her a stern look. “Listen to me for once in your life and stay put.”

“No. I’ll handle it.” This wasn’t going to be a case where she let her mother fight battles for her. Not today.

She pushed up from the stool and stomped into the foyer, steeling her nerves. If they wanted to take her, then good luck. Varvara followed close behind.

“Who’s there?” Aisanna called as she approached the front door. The voice that answered was male. Deep.

Familiar.

“Israel?”

He was grinning like a fool when she twisted the knob and opened the door. “Hey, babe. What are you up to?” He shot her mother a smile, pushing inside. “I know it’s early, but I had to come see you.”

“Did you know he was coming here?” Varvara asked, schooling her face into one of polite indifference.

“No, I had no idea.” Aisanna stared at him and thought for a moment about the reasons for his presence. Thought about his connections and the woman who stood behind him pulling the strings. She took a step back toward her only escape. “Did Zelda send you?”

He filled the doorway with his frame, his shirt the color of a Caribbean sea and tucked into the waist of his snug jeans. A leather jacket lined with sheepskin kept out the cold. He presented a nice picture, she would give him that. Friendly. Casual. Non-threatening.

Still, her body jerked into fight mode and everything inside urged her to attack or flee.

“Of course she didn’t send me.” Israel chuckled, placing his hands on his hips. “I came to see you. Why else would I be here?”

“Yeah, that’s what I don’t know,” she retorted. He was lying through his teeth.

With a second smile at her mother, Israel strode forward. “Is there someplace we can talk?”

Aisanna met Varvara’s eyes, an unspoken conversation transpiring in the air between them. Varvara gave the slightest jerk of her head, and Aisanna shrugged.

“I guess. Come on.” She gestured toward the left and led the way into the library, keeping the door open—keeping the flight option open.

Scanning the room, Israel took it in. He was used to the wealth. Their shared background was one of the key elements of their relationship. Now she hated that about him. How he used his connections like a shield, like a bargaining chip to do whatever he wanted without repercussions. How he trotted around town feeling self-important because he stood in the shadow of a woman like Zelda.

“I came for you,” he told her, the picture of innocence.

Aisanna wished she’d taken the opportunity to shower. It was hard to put her best foot forward when she was covered in soot and grime. “For me? Highly unlikely.”

Heavy footsteps sounded in the foyer, followed half a second later by her father’s booming voice. “What the hell is going on?” Thorvald burst into the room ready for a fight, the grey and white hairs of his mustache bristling. “Aisanna, what are you doing?”

“I have a caller.” Aisanna kept her gaze trained on Israel. “Although I can’t for the life of me figure out what he wants.”

“Babe, stop with the babble. Israel James, nice to meet you.” He held his hand out to Thorvald, who eyed it skeptically.

“I know who you are, boy. I’ve played poker with your father on many occasions. How has he been?”

“Just fine, thank you for asking.”

“Still doing those card tournaments on Thursday nights?” Thorvald maintained civility; he would no more bow or break than allow Israel to think him ungracious. Sparing a look at his daughter, Thorvald gave Israel’s hand a firm squeeze before releasing.

“Ah, yes sir, although the table is closed to you now. He said you stole his winnings with a hidden ace.” While Thorvald sputtered, Israel cleared his throat. “Now, if no one minds, I would like to talk to Aisanna alone.”

“Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of my family,” she stated.

Israel turned and put a hand on Thorvald’s back, deftly guiding him out the door. “It really was lovely to meet you, Mr. Cavaldi. Hope you don’t mind if I have a bit of privacy with your daughter. Thanks.”

Israel shut the door and mimed throwing the key away. When he turned back to her, a smile lit his features and the tips of his reddish-gold hair reflected the light. Ready to burst into flame.

“Okay, you’re really starting to make me nervous. Mind telling me what’s really going on?” Aisanna eyed the windows and wondered if she would have enough time to run should he attack.

She considered tackling him first and utilizing the element of surprise. Then he crossed the room and took her in his arms, drawing her close.

He turned sultry eyes toward Aisanna before swooping in low for a moist kiss. “Good to see you, snookums.”

She jerked away from the contact, his lips landing on her cheek and leaving wetness in their wake. “You’ve never called me snookums before,” she put in. She wiped the area with her sleeve. “Will you please tell me what the hell you’re doing here before I lose my temper?”

“I’m sure I’ve called you snookums before.” He shot her a coy, tight-lipped smile.

“No, never.” She pushed against his chest until his arms dropped to his sides once more. “Don’t you have someone else to seduce? I know you’re fucking Zelda. Don’t even try to deny it.”

Israel waved that away, sighing. “Once upon a time, yes, we had a relationship. That’s not important. I came here to talk to you, obviously.”

“I don’t think we have anything to say to each other.”

“Will you let me get on with this? It’s hard enough without you interrupting me every five seconds with your snarky comments.”

She wished more than anything for him to leave, but knew he wouldn’t before he’d said whatever he’d come to say. She settled in for the long haul, moving back to the couch and tucking her legs beneath her.

They stared at each other for a moment. Conversation had never been a big part of their relationship. Aisanna took him in, the textbook example of the perfect suitor. Israel was good-looking in a masculine way, his smile easy and his teeth gleaming white. His lack of interesting conversation was easily dismissed when one understood his background, his money. His handsome face and chiseled body meant he’d grown up being easily forgiven.

Aisanna couldn’t help but compare him to another. It was for the best, she admonished and fought to bring herself back to the present. God, Elon. It felt like they’d been together in another life. Another version of herself.

“What is it?” The question was defensive. “If you don’t mind, we’re having a bit of a family crisis and I don’t really have time to listen to you. I’m, ah, moving. To the country.”

That stopped him. “Moving to the country?”

Good to know she could still surprise him. “Unless you’re here to call things off. By all means, please do. I don’t blame you. And I kind of wish you’d get on with it.”

“I’m going to forget what you said about moving. Or breaking up.” Israel snorted, stretching the collar of his shirt before putting it back in place. “Here goes. You and I have known each other for several years. And enjoyed more than our fair share of time in bed together.”

He waggled his brows and sent her a look that, on an ordinary day, would have scorched a hole in her clothes.

Oh good, she thought. He was taking the initiative, which was something she could appreciate.

“Yes, we have. Go on.” She tried not to sound too excited, too willing, eager even, for things to be done. This would be one less thing she needed to worry about.

Israel dove his hands into his pockets and walked to her father’s antique liquor cabinet. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I think it’s time that we change things up a little bit.”

He poured himself a large helping of brandy, swirling the snifter lightly before bringing it to his nose. Inhaling deeply, Israel drank the entire portion with the practiced ease of a veteran drinker.

“Sure.” Aisanna watched him, thinking it was nervy of him to indulge in her father’s liquor.

Israel held up a hand, then helped himself to a second drink.

“Since when do you need alcoholic fortification to talk to me?” Distinctly uncomfortable, she shifted on the couch. “If you want to break up with me then say it, instead of drinking my father’s private stock. He saves that brandy for special occasions, by the way.”

“I’m not breaking up with you.” Israel chuckled. “The opposite, in fact.”

Her thoughts stilled when Israel dug deep into his pocket and removed a small box in a distinctive blue color.

“Aisanna Cavaldi, I think we should get married.”

Nausea welled up. It was definitely not the words she’d expected to pop out of his mouth. Not by a long shot. “Um…excuse me?”

Israel gave her a look that said she was off her rocker. “You have to stop interrupting people. It’s rude and I don’t appreciate it.”

She sat back, banding her arms across her chest and staring in horror when he lifted the lid on the blue box. Inside was a smaller black velvet box, and when he opened that, nestled on a cushion of black velvet was a breathtaking princess-cut diamond engagement ring.

Of all the times for him to press his suit, he had to choose now. Timing had never been his forte but this took it to another level. “What makes you think this is a good idea?”

Israel scratched his head. “I don’t know. I guess I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately and I think it’s time for us. Married. Together. You know.” He gestured vaguely. “That whole spiel.”

“Yeah, spiel.”

His reluctance, mingled with her own, became a tangible thing winding down her windpipe. Closed her throat and cut off her supply of oxygen.

She found herself shaking her head as Israel continued to speak. “I really believe we can make a go of it.” Again with the beaming white, fake smile. Israel fingered the ring and held it out to her. “Don’t you think?”

“I don’t know what to think.”

Actually, she did, but she hesitated to say the words. Whatever had possessed Israel to make a proposal out of the blue? She doubted the idea came from his own mind. She very nearly felt the hand of the one behind him pushing Israel towards her. It would be a way to keep her close, always under the watchful eye of the Claddium. A wedding. A marriage to him. It felt like a prison sentence.

“Somehow you don’t seem too thrilled by the idea.”

“This is very…unexpected.”

Aisanna caught the surprised eep from the other side of the door, where no doubt tiny ears pressed close for information. Of course, her mother would be eavesdropping.

“Israel, what kind of thinking have you done to arrive at that conclusion?” she asked. Needing to hear the reasoning from his mouth, in his words.

He hesitated momentarily, which told her even more. The idea of a marriage proposal hadn’t come from him.

“I figured after the time we have between us, it was stupid not to make a move. We have chemistry together. We get along fabulously.” He said the words like he’d made a list beforehand—two columns, one positive and one negative. Then see which one filled faster. “Let’s unite our two magic households. With power like that, we could never go wrong. We would be the most highly respected couple in Chicago. Perhaps the whole Midwest.”

Power, of course. What else was there to occupy his thoughts but power. Israel gained his power through sex, through position.

“But what about love?” She had to know. Needed to hear what he thought.

The question puzzled him. He fingered the crystal decanter as though contemplating a third drink. “Love?”

“Yes, love.”

Israel pursed his lips, setting his glass down and crossing the room to kneel in front of her. He took her hand in his. His palm was slightly sweaty.

“We have mutual respect. That’s even better. Why would you be concerned with love?”

“Why wouldn’t you?”

It had never been important to her before, love. Hell, it hadn’t been on her list of priorities a week ago. It was an emotion she’d yet to experience outside of her family. The need for a clan of her own, a husband and children, had never appealed. Suddenly it was all she could think about. Vane and Cecilia had their family before it was ripped apart. Aisanna had been content with her sisters and brother, although now she’d lost two of them. Had lost the one man on earth who appealed to her on a deep level, understood her faults and appreciated her virtues.

“You’ve never asked me about love before,” Israel said, giving her fingers a squeeze.

“There’s a first time for everything.” She tugged until he let go. “I need to know how you feel, definitely, about love. The feelings between a man and a woman who decide to spend their lives together.”

Israel seemed to consider the idea she’d set before him. “I’m not sure about love, to be honest with you. I like you. I think we get on well enough. There’s affection. It has to be enough.”

“You don’t love me.” Somehow, the statement did not cause her pain. Quite the opposite, in fact.

That had him rising to his feet and stalking away, insulted. “Dammit, Aisanna, love never mattered to you before. You couldn’t give a crap. It’s what I like about you. But a man comes to a certain age and he needs to make a choice. He needs to act responsibly and get his personal life on track with his professional one. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

She did, absolutely. “Yes.”

“I’ve decided it’s time for me to act my age. Especially considering my family’s clout. I’m poised to take over for my father and he doesn’t want some lazy jerkoff who is more concerned with random sex than his future.”

“Undoubtedly.” Aisanna nodded, although her mind was already miles away. She deserved to be more than “the best choice” for someone, didn’t she? She deserved more. Maybe that was why she’d never fallen in love before. She’d been waiting for the right person to come into her life. Waiting to grow up in the right way to deserve him. She’d been waiting for Elon.

Israel poured himself two more fingers of brandy and flung it down his throat. Any more and he would be stumbling from the premises and risking embarrassment. Almost too late, she thought, knowing how he would feel when he heard her answer.

“So…what do you say? Do you want to give it a go? Accept this ridiculously expensive ring and be my wife?” He turned sloppily and signaled toward the ring box he’d placed on the coffee table. “After all, what better choice is there for people like us? Love.” He scoffed. “Love is for idiots. Duty is what matters. And don’t forget the sex, which is amazing.”

Israel waggled his eyebrows, a gesture that used to have her chuckling before falling into his arms. This time, it had no effect. She pictured instead a pair of bright blue eyes topped by dark brows, a slow shy smile, and a mop of brown-black hair.

The answering flip in her heart told Aisanna what she needed to know.

“Sorry. I’m going to have to pass.”

She watched a bevy of emotions flash over Israel’s face, confusion to anger to bitterness and back again.

“Pass? Are you kidding me?” he asked, dumbstruck. “What do you mean, pass?”

“No, I’m not kidding. I’m sorry, Israel.” She shook her head ruefully. “There are more choices than I knew. I thought giving up what I wanted was the only way to play it safe.” She ducked her head to hide her smile. “It’s not true, Israel. This whole time I’ve felt like I wasn’t doing my part. It’s time for me to stand up for what I want and believe in. I only regret not realizing it sooner.”

A giddiness rose in her like the flickering of thousands of bird wings trapped inside her body. She loved Elon. She didn’t have to give him up, as she’d once thought. Her intentions had been honorable, but the sacrifice wasn’t necessary. She was a witch, goddammit. If she couldn’t protect the man she loved, then what good was she?

The realization empowered her and gave her the strength to do what needed to be done.

A small laugh escaped her, drawing a scowl from Israel. “You turn me down and you’re laughing? Are you kidding me? Woman, you are all kinds of crazy.”

She let the insult slip over her without impact. Her knees bounced, ready for the conversation to be over so the real work could begin. Convincing someone else of her sincerity. “Israel, it’s not you. I swear.”

He slammed his hand down on the bar, setting glass to tinkling. “Dammit, Aisanna, I’m asking you to marry me.”

“I know, and I’m sorry it has to end this way. I should have done us both a favor and ended things sooner. Unfortunately, with everything else going on, I didn’t want to focus on something I found inconsequential.”

Israel sputtered. “Inconsequential!”

“Not you. I mean this.” She circled her hands between them and got to her feet. “It’s a silly idea for both of us.”

“Yes, but—”

“There are no buts,” she told him sternly. “You don’t love me. And I don’t love you.”

“That’s a horrible thing to say to a man trying to give you a ring from Tiffany’s.” His face dropped, and Aisanna recognized once more what had initially drawn them together—the small hint of vulnerability behind those eyes. The only thing he tried to hide.

“I know, and I hate to do it to you.” She crossed the room and grabbed her jacket from where she’d flung it the night before. “We aren’t right for each other, Israel. You can go back to Zelda and do whatever it is you do with her. Send her my regards.”

With a defeated slump to his shoulders, Israel sank down on the couch she’d vacated. “I’ve never asked a woman to marry me before, and here I am getting turned down. Like a loser.”

“You aren’t a loser, Israel.”

He glanced up at her, brows furrowed. “It’s the human, isn’t it? The weakling from your shop. The one you work with, who punched me in the face.” He grimaced and worked his jaw. “He packs a wallop. I didn’t expect it of him.”

Aisanna smiled as she reached down to kiss the top of his downy head for the last time. She drew in his familiar scent, remembered the flames as they’d licked her and set the curtains ablaze. That was the past now. She didn’t need it. “Yes, it’s absolutely the human from my shop.”

Israel sighed, mouth turned down in a pitiful frown. “I hope you two will be happy playing house. I don’t see it, but what the hell.”

“Thanks. You’ll be fine,” she said, wrapping her scarf around her neck. Aisanna pulled the door open, and her mother nearly fell to the floor at the sudden jolt. “I had a feeling there were vultures waiting to swoop in for the feeding frenzy.”

“You aren’t getting married to Israel?” Varvara scrambled up in a most undignified manner. She smoothed her hair back and strove for nonchalance, watching him stalk past her and out the front door with his hands in his pockets.

Filled with the surety of her choice, she spun around and shot Varvara a warm grin. “No, Mom, I’m not. I have some business to take care of. Don’t wait up for me!” She hurried toward the front door, hopping while she tried to get her boots on. “I’m about to ask a Muggle to marry me.”

“A Muggle? What are you talking about?”

Aisanna skipped down the front stoop. The soles of her boots caught the ice and she windmilled to find her balance. Racing toward the garage, she pulled open the door to her mother’s car and checked the ignition for the keys.

“This is the craziest thing I have ever done!” She laughed at herself, scooting onto the cold seat and cranking the car. “The craziest damn thing ever.”

Everything happened for a reason. She believed that now.

Her heart had been in the right place, wanting to protect him and save him from a life of trouble. Now she saw that she deserved to be a little selfish. What was the point of fighting for Light if she couldn’t find her own happiness along the way? She’d left Elon alone and defenseless instead of finding the strength to stand up.

She pressed the accelerator down and navigated the streets as fast as safety allowed. She needed to see him. How would she be able to handle it if Elon decided to turn her away? Doubt crept in suddenly and she wondered if her feelings were true, if they were as real as she thought or a byproduct of her encounter the night before.

The thought of Darkness had her remembering Karsia and her black pupils. Aisanna should be working on a cure for her sister. Of course, the old Karsia would find the prospect of confronting Elon unbearably romantic. She would approve, Aisanna felt sure.

It seemed like forever before she pulled up in front of Elon’s house. She took a deep breath and cut the engine. This was her path. Her man. And she would not let anyone, or anything, take the opportunity away from her.

She knocked solidly on his door, bringing her fist down again and again. The sound of footsteps drew closer until locks slid out of place and she heard Elon through the wood.

“All right, all right, I’m coming! Hold your horses.”

The last bolt turned and she was rewarded with the sight of his unruly dark brown hair. The small curl over his forehead had her heart turning over, flipping in her chest. She fought back a happy, bubbly giggle.

This was it, she decided. This was what it felt like to be in love.

“Aisanna? Do you have any idea what time it is?” He hung back, eyeing her warily without moving.

“I’m sorry, I know it’s early. You were probably still asleep. Weren’t you?” She bit her lip, fidgeting lightly under his stare.

“No, I was mowing the lawn.” He scowled at her. “Yes, I was asleep. It’s seven o’clock in the morning.”

Ouch, yes, she deserved that. “I know you probably don’t want to see me, but do you mind if I come inside?” He hesitated, and she continued a bit playfully. “You aren’t the type of man to leave a woman out in the cold, are you?”

“Sure, play on my hospitality,” he said tentatively. Elon swept his arm out to invite her inside. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Aisanna shivered, more from excitement than anything else. She had so much to tell him, so much he would need to hear. Would want to hear, if everything worked out in her favor. She kicked off her boots before entering the living room and sitting down on the couch.

Elon remained standing, looking disheveled and adorable in his blue flannel pajamas. Blue was his color, bringing out the richness of his eyes.

He scratched the back of his neck and looked at her, making herself comfortable as she shed her coat.

“Aisanna, you know I’m usually happy to see you whenever, wherever. But the last time we were together did not end well for me. You have to excuse me if I’m a little confused. Why would you show up on my doorstep now without calling first?”

“There are some things I need to tell you.”

“And it couldn’t wait? Is this an emergency?”

“No, it’s nothing like that.”

“Then maybe we can schedule a better time to talk. I mean, come on. I don’t feel comfortable with this right now.”

She held her hands on her lap, openly staring into his handsome, terrible face. “I know there’s nothing I can say to make it better, and I’d take back what I did if I could. I acted like a fool and I know that now.”

“I have to say, you really hurt my feelings. How could you choose him? Especially after the—” He stopped, sucking in a deep breath. “After the night we shared.”

A small blush rose up to color his neck before he could stop it.

“Our night together was beautiful, Elon. And I am sorry. Really. I should never have said such horrible things. It doesn’t help that I was coming from a good place. A place where I wanted to protect you.”

“It’s not your call, Aisanna,” he said softly. “I can protect myself. It’s not up to you to decide how I live my life. You shouldn’t lead me on like that if you aren’t sure."

“I know.”

“You shouldn’t have let me believe I was special to you. You should have been more considerate of my feelings, which I’ve always been open about.”

“I know.”

“And you shouldn’t have—”

“Elon, I know!” She cut him off before he reached the end of his harangue. “Sit, please, and let me tell you why I’m here.”

A sane man would have told her to get out. Stood firm in his resolve. But this was Aisanna. It always came down to that. She was Aisanna Cavaldi, and no matter what she said, what she did, he would love her until death drew the last breath from his body.

“Of course.” He sat next to her, resting his hand loosely on hers. “Go on.”

She turned her palm under his and squeezed. “I came here to tell you I am sorry. For everything. I am truly sorry.”

“You’re sorry.”

“Yes. For leading you on and treating you like you don’t matter,” she reminded him. “Because you do matter, Elon. You matter to me very much.”

“Don’t say these things to me.” Sweat beaded on his brow despite the comfort of his house. It made him nervous when she spoke like that. Too long he’d waited to hear those very words. And now they hung in the air between them and he couldn’t believe what he’d heard. Dared not believe. “Not if you don’t really mean them.”

Aisanna drew on her magic, the integral part of her always there beneath the surface. It imbued her with warmth and certainty. She spoke to him as she conjured, her voice light and her power flowing forth. “For years I thought I was unable to love, unable to give myself to anyone or touch the heat of passion. I’ve had many things happen to me lately. Things that shook me down to the core. I walked the precipice of life and death. My sister was hurt and has possibly succumbed to evil. And through it all, I saw your face, like morning’s light shining down to break through the darkness.”

“You saw me?”

“Yes, silly, I saw you. I realized something about myself through it all. I realized that I can love. I do love. I love someone very special.” A single tear slid down her cheek, though not from sadness.

When she separated their palms, it revealed a single black flower. Velvety petals unfurled from a neon-blue center flecked through with yellow. The pistils glowed with internal energy, like a universe held within.

“Just like this flower, nothing and no one like him exists in this world. He is unique and perfect.”

“And who is this man?” Elon asked, bringing her gaze back to his.

Aisanna met his eyes and smiled. “He’s you.”

He swallowed hard. “Please, I can’t take any more games. If you’re toying with me, then tell me now and save me the trouble of depression and therapy.”

“This is not a game. Not an illusion.” She stood and drew him up with her, bringing his hands up to cup the flower. “I love you, Elon Fayer. I may not have known it at first, but I know it now. I know it with the blazing truth of a thousand suns. And it scares the hell out of me.”

“You love me,” he repeated.

“Yes. I love you.” She brought his hand to her cheek until the blossom was cupped between them. “We’re stronger together than we are apart. I was too afraid, drowning in fear from the thought that she might use you against me. She knows what’s in my heart. I couldn’t think clearly.”

“You think you can save me?”

“I think we can save each other.”

At first, his eyes were blank with forced indifference as he took her in. There were bruises on her face. A lump on the back of her head and dirt smudged across her nose. Soon understanding blossomed and flashed across his face. He exhaled loudly and crushed her to him, burying his nose in her hair. Unable to do anything except murmur her name.

She tightened her grip in return.

“Well, that’s a damn good thing,” he told her. “Because I have been in love with you since the first day I met you.”

“I know. Oh, believe me, I have known. I only regret it took me this long to come around.”

His arms felt so good around her. Warm, comforting, safe. She could handle anything with those arms there to hold her at the end of the day.

“I’m not afraid anymore, Elon. I’m tired of feeling terrified and pathetic. I know what real madness is, and now I have the will to fight.”

“You know I’m going to have to pay you back for making me suffer.” He stroked her hair. “Damn, woman.”

“I’m bad, I know.” She chuckled as he bent to kiss her, cupping her face in his hands. Their future together stretched out before them in glorious color.

“If we end up having kids—” He ignored her choked intake of air. “—then there’s a fifty/fifty chance our children will have magic.”

“You’re getting a little ahead of yourself there, mister. But yes. If we have a girl, she’ll be a witch, like me. A boy wouldn’t inherit my magic. Although…” She eased back enough to look at him. “Take a look at my sister Astix. She inherited my father’s magic. Never say never.”

She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. “Look, Elon, I’ve done things my way until now because that was how I wanted to live my life. I walked the path I chose. I didn’t know then, but I know now that I was waiting for you. And damn if you haven’t complicated things for me, but I’ll never go back. I will never go back to living my life without you, Elon.”

“Good. And you will never have to.”

Everything inside of her welled up and shone brightly. A vast weight suddenly lifted off her chest. She felt like it had been there her entire life, an invisible anchor drawing her deeper and deeper until someone cut the chain and it dropped away soundlessly. Her chest expanded and she drew in a breath, her head feeling as if it bobbed up toward the ceiling like an over-inflated balloon at a kid’s birthday party.

She took a moment before speaking, to be certain she was calm, leaning against him. “I’m glad to hear it.”

Laughing, Elon drew her into a bear hug, swinging her around until her feet left the floor.

“Put me down before I get sick!” The demand was halfhearted.

Slowly, not wanting to leap ahead when a simple step was warranted, he set her on her feet, watched her lift her head to look at him. Then she smiled, and it told Elon everything he needed to know. “I’m never going to let you go.”

She laughed. “Good.”

“What do we do now?”

“Anything.” She drew up on her tiptoes to touch her lips to his. “Everything. As long as we’re together.”

“You got yourself a deal.”

“Although I should warn you…things are going to get a little bumpy after this. My sister is still out there.” Her face hardened. “I’ll do everything I can to get her back. But I don’t need you to—”

He cut her off. “When are you going to learn? I’m here. Whatever you need. Just take me along and I can handle myself.”

“I’m not afraid anymore. You can handle yourself. And I know, when I’m with you, I’m a stronger person. So we’ll find her.”

“We’ll find her. I promise.”

Elon placed his fingertips over her heart, surprised when his own timed its beats to match. That, he thought, was the truest magic.

 

 

 

THE END