“Add it to the things we’ve been lied to about,” Ember replies.
Silas’ grip on my dress loosens, but he doesn’t let go. I shouldn’t like it, but it’s the first time I’ve had someone this physically possessive of me, and I enjoy it.
My heart is racing in my chest when we get to the front door, and I can’t bring my fist up to knock. A large arm reaches up as Silas knocks on the door above my head.
It only takes a few moments before my mother is answering the door.
“Sorry,” I whisper, before taking out my wand and paralyzing her.
Silas catches her, and we bring her to the center of their living room. I grab a throw pillow and place it under her head as he lays her body on the large Turkish rug.
“I’m not going to hurt you, I promise,” I whisper, as a tear trails down her cheek.
Ember’s luggage finally comes to use as she unloads the vast amount of candles and lighting them quickly with her magic.
Silas watches from where he’s leaned against the wall, not putting in any input, just fascinated with the setup and the effort that goes into preparing the room.
It’s nearly nightfall by the time we’re done. My poor mother is terrified on the floor as Ember, Iris, and I get on our knees and hold hands as we surround her.
“I promise this will all make sense soon,” I say, pushing back her light hair as she looks at me with fear.
“Ready?” Iris asks quietly and I nod my head, squeezing my two best friend’s hands.
They know what we’re doing is right; they believe in me; they love me. I take a moment to let the reality of all the different types of love that are in this room. I’m not sure if it’s because the truth is at the tip of my fingers, or that this moment proves that Iris and Ember would never turn their back on me.
But I make a choice at that moment. Once I know the full truth, I will be giving it to them in return. I can’t tuck away Azure forever. She’s a part of me.
We begin the chant, a low breeze whips around the room as we close our eyes and anchor ourselves to the spell. I pour everything I have into the spell, needing for it to work.
The wind around us is caressing my face as we say the chant one last time, the last word slipping from my lips like a prayer.
I take a deep breath and open my eyes, dropping my hands out of Ember’s and Iris’.
My stomach feels upside down as I look down at my mother, who stares at me. I release her from her paralysis and she sits up, her light blue eyes blinking at all of us. It’s the longest few moments of my life as we wait to see what she says.
Her eyes connect with mine and her brows furrow.
“Are you with the Salvador Coven?” she asks, and I glance over at Iris.
“No. We’re with the Celestial Coven,” Iris answers for me.
“She sent you to take me away?” My mother asks, dragging a hand down her torso, and she gasps. “My baby. Where’s my baby? What have you done with her?” she says scooting away.
I can’t move or speak. I’m in shock.
“Fuck. It worked, but it seems like she only remembers up to before your birth,” Iris says, and my mother looks at me again. This time, she really looks at me.
“What’s your name?” she asks me.
“Violet Delvaux,” I say softly and my mother covers her mouth and shakes her head. Her bright blue eyes wide as she stares at me with confusion and frustration.
“This can’t be,” she gasps. Her hands shake as she covers her face and looks around the room. “How old are you?” she asks, her eyes nearly crystalline as they fill with tears.
“Thirty,” I reply, my own tears threatening to fall.
Tears stream out of her face as her hand comes to cup my cheek. “Thirty years? I’ve lost thirty years with you?” she asks.
My own tears fall at this point and she uses her thumb to brush them away, as a caring mother would.
