For a moment, they stood there, caught in the fragile stillness of the moment. Grayson’s hands tightened on her waist, and he dipped his head to kiss her again. This time, there was no hesitation. The kiss was slow but insistent, a quiet declaration of everything he couldn’t put into words.
Cora’s hands slid down to his shoulders, and her touch grounded him even as it set his nerves alight. He backed her up gently until her heels brushed against the edge of the couch.
As the moment stretched, Grayson realized something that both terrified and exhilarated him. He wasn’t just drawn to Cora because of the bond or the circumstances that had brought them together. He wanted her for who she was—for her strength, stubbornness, and the way she saw through his walls without flinching.
She offered something he never thought he’d get again: a second chance.
Chapter 21 - Cora
Cora jolted upright as though she’d been yanked out of sleep by something unseen. For a moment, she simply sat there, disoriented and panting. Her skin tingled with a restless energy she couldn’t quite place, and a faint nausea rolled through her stomach.
Throwing off the blanket, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, and her bare feet hit the cold floor. A wave of dizziness followed, strong enough that she had to grip the edge of the mattress to steady herself. What the hell was going on?
She stood carefully with one hand braced against the bedpost before she made her way to the bathroom. The nausea grew stronger with every step, twisting her insides until she reached the sink just in time. She dry-heaved once as her body rebelled against her even though there was nothing to bring up. When it finally passed, she clutched the edge of the counter, staring at her pale reflection in the mirror.
Her blonde hair stuck to her damp forehead, and there were faint smudges under her eyes. She looked like hell, but the sensation beneath her skin worried her most. Her magic felt wild—like a fire roaring just out of reach. It surged and receded unpredictably, leaving her feeling raw and unmoored. She had just regained control of it and wasn’t ready to let that go any time soon.
“This isn’t normal,” she whispered to no one in particular. Her voice wavered, and she hated the way it sounded—unsure, almost afraid.
She splashed cold water on her face, hoping it would ground her, but the unsettling feeling remained. Something was wrong, and ignoring it wasn’t an option. Shoving down herrising panic, she grabbed a jacket and her keys. She needed answers, and there was only one person who might have them.
***
The path to Elena’s house felt longer than usual, though it was more likely the unease crawling up Cora’s spine that made every step feel heavier. She clutched her jacket tighter around herself as her magic flickered erratically like a faulty lightbulb. The closer she got, the harder it was to keep her emotions in check, and by the time she reached Elena’s door, her nerves were stretched thin.
She raised her fist to knock, but the door swung open before she made contact. Elena stood in the doorway. “You look like you’ve been through a war.”
“Feels like it, too,” Cora muttered, brushing past her and into the small living room. “Something’s wrong. I need you to tell me what it is.”
Elena shut the door and followed her inside. “Nice to see you too.”
“I’m serious, Elena.” Cora turned to face her, and the desperation on her face was impossible to hide. “My magic—it’s out of control. One second, it’s surging, and the next, it’s like it’s gone completely. And I feel…off. I thought I had a handle on this again.”
“Off how?” Elena asked, her tone sharp with curiosity.
“Nauseous, dizzy, exhausted. Everything feels…wrong.” Cora sank onto the couch, clutching the edge of the cushion as if it might keep her from spinning off into the void. “You have to tell me what’s going on.”
Elena’s eyes narrowed as she crossed to one of the many shelves lining the room. Her fingers brushed over jars and books until she pulled down a small vial filled with a shimmering liquid. “Drink this.”
Cora eyed the vial warily. “What is it?”
“A diagnostic potion,” Elena explained. “It’ll help me figure out what’s going on.”
“And it won’t kill me?”
“Not unless you’ve suddenly developed a rare allergy to mint. Do you want answers or not?”
Cora grabbed the vial, muttering under her breath as she uncorked it and downed the contents in one go. The cold liquid left an unpleasant metallic aftertaste. She set the empty vial on the table and waited.
It didn’t take long. A warmth bloomed in her chest, spreading outward in gentle waves. It wasn’t the chaotic energy she’d been fighting—it was steady, almost soothing. But it wasn’t hers. It felt foreign like it didn’t belong to her alone.
“Elena…” Cora’s voice was barely a whisper. “What is this?”
Elena reached out and yanked up Cora’s shirt, exposing her abdomen, which was glowing pink. “It’s confirmation,” she declared, dropping the fabric.
“Confirmation of what?” Cora pressed, wide-eyed. “What the hell is wrong with my stomach?”
“Cora, you’re pregnant.”
