“That’s not fair Ava,” she said, her voice quiet.
I sighed, heavily. “I know.”
Maybe I was thinking too much about this one. Maybe I was protecting them by turning them into a weakness when they could be an asset. Maybe I was going about this in the worst possible way.
“You’re right,” I said. “I know I need to fight for my conviction to be overturned, but maybe we need to talk more about how I do that, and if you come with me.”
I pinched my nose. Was this the right decision? I didn’t know. But who was I to make it for them? Who was I to take away their freedom of choice?
Courtney pounded the table with her fist. “Yes! That’s more like it.”
Bella met my gaze, and my own fear was mirrored in her eyes.
“Well, let me find some more wine,” she said, slowly standing up. “I think we’re gonna need it.”
“I’ll go.” I pushed myself to my feet and wandered around the kitchen looking for a bottle I knew I could whip up in a moment with my magic.
Was Courtney right? Should I take them with me? Was I being selfish in wanting to have them safely hidden away while I went on to fight my battles alone?
I closed my eyes, wishing I could hear my mother’s voice in my head, guiding me.
Chapter 13.
I lay on the floor, studying some ancient texts about the Council we’d found in Bella’s secret stash.
“Bella what are you staring at?” Courtney asked. “You have this pinched look on your face that either something has shocked you or you’re terrible at concealing your constipation.”
“I think there’s a man walking towards our house.” Bella said, staring out the window. There was no response to Courtney’s dig, not even a pretty blush on her cheeks.
“What?” I said.
She sounded far too relaxed about the situation considering we were supposedly alone in this realm. Had this happened before when I wasn’t here?
Bella turned to me and grinned. “He’s got pointed ears and a scowl on his face,” she said. “And no, I don’t get constipated, thank you very much, Courtney. I eat my proper daily intake of fiber, so I can assure you, that area of my life is well.”
“TMI.” Courtney put her hands over her ears.
I ignored my sisters. My worry lifted so fast it was startling.
“It’s Tavlor?” My voice came out hesitant. I didn’t want to hope for something that probably wasn’t going to happen. And yet, even my magic couldn’t slow my beating heart as it increased its pace.
She nodded. “I think so,” she said. “I’ve never met anyone like him before, and that scowl isn’t easy to forget.”
I laughed out loud, unable to control myself. I jumped up and bolted for the front door. For the moment, everything else fell to the wayside—ancient spells, the Council, the protective tattoos now etched onto our skin. All I cared about was being in Tavlor’s arms once again, feeling them coil around me.
It had been a week since he’d left and I’d missed him every single day. I tried not to think about him, especially when I was still in danger. But it was impossible.
I didn’t even try to play it down. Let him think I was weak, that I was terribly romantic. I didn’t care.
I yanked open the door and ran for him, straight out the door, down the path, and into the field. The grass scratched at my ankles, as though it was telling me to calm down. The wind tugged at my hair, trying to pull me back, afraid I was going to make a fool of myself. I kept running.
Tavlor’s face lit up and picked up the pace to meet me.
I nearly tripped over myself. Had he really missed me that much?
I flew across the field as fast as my legs would carry me and threw myself into his arms. I hooked my arms around his neck, and he caught me without faltering.
He chuckled as he held me to him. He buried his nose into my hair and took a long inhale. I was suddenly grateful I had showered.