Rhosewen’s parents took the news about the seriousness of her and Aedan’s relationship calmly, agreeing to let Aedan stay in their home until he could build his own. Though they didn’t say it, Rhosewen knew they were thrilled with Aedan’s decision to relocate, having feared their daughter might stay in Virginia.
Ellena’s community hosted a farewell dinner Friday evening, inviting Aedan’s entire coven. And Serafin and Daleen were invited to stay the night, an offer they quickly accepted.
Aedan was running late, having just finished engraving the inside of Rhosewen’s ring, so the lawn was crowded when he landed. He sighed as he found Rhosewen’s smiling face, but then a wizard put his arm around her, and Aedan flipped his gaze over, finding his best friend, Kearny Gilmore.
Aedan smiled and walked forward. “What’s this?”
“Well,” Kearny answered, squeezing Rhosewen’s shoulders, “an angel came to me yesterday, claiming she’s taking you to a better place and that this would be my last chance to see you.”
Aedan stepped forward, lifting Rhosewen into a hug. “You’re amazing,” he whispered, kissing her ear. “Thank you.”
“It’s the least I could do,” she countered. “You’re giving up so much for me. I’m not the angel here. You are.”
“You’re wrong,” he disagreed, setting her feet on the ground. Only then did he turn to greet his friend.
Rich with eating, drinking, music and games, the evening’s tone was one of celebration rather than farewell. Aedan’s heart squeezed when he looked at the family and friends he would be leaving, but he was the happiest he’d ever been. To know he would be spending his future with Rhosewen made him feel like he was floating. Nothing could bring him down as long as he had her.
When the party died down and the crowd dispersed, Aedan and Rhosewen stayed on the lawn, tucking into a bed of blankets.
She purred and stretched, feeling more of him through her dress. Then she curled back up. “I can’t believe I get to take you home with me. You must be the best souvenir in the history of the world.” She pressed her lips to his heart, smiling as his hard body rumbled with laughter. “Thank you for giving me so much.”
“If you’ll let me,” he replied, “I’ll give you much more.”
“I just might,” she hummed, wiggling to his face. Her forefinger traced his brow and nose. Then she stretched her hands over his cheeks. “I love you, Aedan.”
He peacefully smiled, watching her eyes as he brushed her hair back. “I love you, too, Rose, for as long as you’ll let me.”
“Forever,” she insisted, her lips curving over his. Then she closed her eyes, melting into his tender kiss.
When it came time to leave, Aedan’s chest ached over the impending goodbyes. Seeing his mom and dad so subdued was tough. They were never that way.
“I have one favor to ask,” Daleen requested, giving Rhosewen a hug. “Every once in a while, wave a phone in front of Aedan’s face and tell him to call his mom. I know he’ll be busy staring into your gorgeous eyes, but if you block his view with a phone, he might remember me.”
“I promise,” Rhosewen agreed. “I’ll make it a priority.” And she meant it. She hated taking Aedan from his parents. “I’m sorry it has to be this way. I know it must be hard. I…” She wasn’t sure what else to say.
“It’s okay, darling,” Daleen assured. “Aedan’s happiness is our priority, and he’s found it in you. The distance is worth the peace of mind.”
“Thank you for understanding,” Rhosewen whispered.
“Don’t mention it,” Serafin cut in, giving her a hug. “You two take care of each other and come back to see us soon.”
“We will,” she agreed. Then she turned toward Aedan and laid a hand over his heart, wishing she could offer more support. But with nothing else to give, she merely offered his parents a crestfallen wave and floated away.
Aedan breathed deep, holding the air in as he wrapped Daleen in a hug. “I love you, mom.”
“I love you, too, baby,” she whispered, burying her face in his shirt.
“We’ll come back for a visit soon,” he vowed. “Really soon. I promise.”
Daleen took a ragged breath, letting it out slowly. “I know you will. Be safe, okay?”
“We will,” he assured, tightening his hold as he kissed her onyx hair. Then he let go and turned to Serafin, clasping his hand. “Thanks for everything, dad.”
Serafin pulled him into a firm hug then stepped back, meeting his sad stare. “Sure, son. You keep in touch now. We want to hear from you often.”
“I’ll bug you so much you’ll have to screen your calls.”
“That would be wonderful,” Daleen sighed, leaning into Serafin’s open arm.
Aedan smiled as he reached out, touching fingertips to Daleen’s heart while watching her pale green eyes. “I’ll know I’ve gone overboard when you change your number.”
“Never,” they whispered, shaking their heads.
Aedan watched them for another moment then dropped his hand and turned away, unable to say goodbye. Only Rhosewen’s eyes and smile kept him moving forward. She made everything better. When he reached her, he took her hand and pulled it to his lips, drawing comfort from her soft skin and lovely scent.
Rhosewen smiled as she touched his cheek, happier than she ever dreamed she could be. Then her expression fell as the hair at the nape of her neck stood on end. She looked up, searching the sky as her stomach tightened into a knot. Then a terrifying scream pierced the air.
Everyone looked north, finding Medea at the edge of the timber—eyes burning, lips twisted, teeth bared. As her scream diminished, lightning shot from her hands, heading straight for Aedan.
He threw a hand out to block it, but Rhosewen had already swept both hands through the air, enveloping Aedan in a foggy blue shield that quickly expanded. Within two seconds, everyone on the lawn was sheltered.
Aedan watched the lightning approach, expecting it to fizzle when it hit the barrier, but Rhosewen had been thorough in her spell work. When the bolt of electricity made contact with the blue fog, it rebounded on its caster.
Medea spun to the left, but not quick enough. The lightning grazed her right cheekbone then struck a tree trunk. The enormous oak toppled forward with an earsplitting crack, threatening to crush the wounded witch into parched, summer earth, but she lunged out of the way, barely escaping death.
Aedan lost her then found her again when she stood from the forest floor, gingerly touching her burnt and bloody cheek. She threw a deadly glance at Rhosewen then fled, her crimson aura disappearing behind thick timber.
Yes, Medea had definitely snapped.
Aedan turned and pulled Rhosewen into a hug, pissed at himself for putting her in mortal danger. The damage was done. “I’m sorry, Rose.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Rhosewen countered, the words vibrating with her body. “Medea’s obviously crazy.”
“What’s going on?” Serafin asked, breathlessly landing next to Aedan.
“Medea just tried to kill me!” Aedan returned. “That’s what’s going on. And she didn’t give a damn about witnesses. She’s crazy!” He took a calming breath as he kissed Rhosewen’s head. “I’m so sorry, Rose. I hate that this has touched you.”
“It’s not your fault,” she insisted, tightening her arms around his waist.
“Is that witch a girlfriend?” Morrigan asked, narrowing her eyes on Aedan.
“No,” he quickly assured, “but she wanted to be. We have to find her, dad,” he added, looking to Serafin. “We can’t let her get away with this.”
“No we can’t,” Serafin agreed. “You guys go. We’ll find her.”
Aedan didn’t like the idea of someone else cleaning up his mess, but he wanted to get Rhosewen out of there, out of the state, far away from Medea. “Are you sure?”
“Of course,” Serafin replied. “We’ll head for her coven after you leave.”
Aedan couldn’t shake the guilt. “I should stay, Rose. You go. I’ll fly over once this is taken care of.”
“No,” she blurted, frantically finding his eyes.
“This is my responsibility,” he countered. “I have to make sure it gets dealt with.”
“Then I’m staying, too.”
“No!” he protested, panicked by the ultimatum. “I don’t want you anywhere near her. You need to leave before she comes looking for revenge.”
“I’m not leaving unless you leave with me.”
“Rose…”
“No,” she asserted. Then she rested her cheek to his chest, successfully ending the discussion.
Aedan sighed and looked to his dad.
“Go,” Serafin insisted. “We’ll deal with this.”
“I’m sorry,” Aedan whispered.
“Don’t worry about it,” Serafin replied, slapping Aedan’s shoulder. “Your mom and I need an adventure. Don’t we, sweets?”
Daleen smiled as she cuddled into Serafin’s chest. “Yes. Our lives are dreadfully boring. Get going,” she added, waving Aedan away.
“Thank you,” Aedan sighed, glancing at Rhosewen’s head. “I’ll call when we get there, to let you know we made it, and to make sure you’ve found her.”
“Travel safely,” Serafin returned. “We’ll take care of things here.”
Aedan hugged his parents once more. Then the four travelers shot toward Oregon, glad to leave the dangerous episode behind.