“It’s okay,” Renata attempts to say.
Rowyn and Clementine are already out of the room. Whatever she brings will help Renata calm down and get some rest.
Esme steps forward and hugs Renata, pulling her out of my arms. I watch as she easily falls into her friend’s arms. It’s an intentional embrace, shifting something in the air around us. I glance at my sister and from the wide eyes, she can sense it too.
Hesitantly, I let the tendrils of my magic free and reach for whatever is transferring between the two of them. Before my magic can untangle their emotions, I feel the faint sensation of tiny bubbles bursting on skin.
Blinking, I look at Esme and let my magic linger between us. Each tiny explosion is reminiscent of a surprise sunshower. She’s offering Renata a bit of comfort and healing. I’ve never spent much time around Love Witches, so her abilities manifest are new to me.
Catching my eye as she lets Renata go, Esme smirks. “I felt that.”
Renata looks over her shoulder, confused.
“You were healing her,” I say.
“Andyouwere spying,” Esme teases, but there’s no anger there.
Shrugging, I ignore her. “How did you manipulate the air like that?”
“I didn’t manipulate the air,” she says. “I used the water vapor to kind of reset her nervous system.”
Renata nods. “It’s nice.”
Esme offers her a sweet smile and rubs her arm one more time.
Clover and Sybil each wrap their arms around her too, soaking her in affection before leaving the room.
Knowing that Rowyn and Clementine will be back, I don’t close the door. Helping her sit on the edge of her bed, she’s shivering again. Her room is dark, even with the fire going, and the cold rolls in through the window she leaves open for Hexate. I doubt she’ll be leaving Renata’s side tonight.
Closing that, I walk to her closet and look for anything warmer than her typical pajamas. There’s nothing functional here, and as much as I love her nightwear, I want to lecture her about it at the moment.
Grabbing a long-sleeve cotton shirt of hers and the sweats I wore last night, I walk to the edge of the bed and sit down, waiting for her tea while she stares at the floor.
I watch her, wondering what she’s thinking about and what she saw. It’s not long until Rowyn walks in with a tray, set with a fresh kettle and tea cups. Clementine follows, holding two plates. One with a sandwich and the other with a lemon lavender pastry in the shape of a crescent moon.
“I told her you wouldn’t eat these,” Clementine whispers in Renata’s ear with an eye roll. She looks immensely proud of herself when it pulls a small smile from Renata in response.
Rowyn ignores her, setting everything on the bedside table. She’s fussing, not ready to leave her friend.
I can’t blame her, but I want nothing more than to crawl into bed with Renata and hold her until she sleeps.
After a few minutes of watching Rowyn clean up various little messes, like clothes on the floor and uncapped pens, Renata grabs Clementine’s hands. She subtly tilts her head toward Rowyn with a wink.
Clementine rolls her eyes and dramatically pushes herself off the bed. “Let’s go, you mother hen.”
“What? Oh—I…” She looks at Renata with concern. “You’re sure you’re okay?”
Renata nods. “I am. Just tired. We can talk tomorrow.”
That satisfies Rowyn enough to turn out of the room, but she stops to point a finger at me. “If anything happens, you come get us.”
With a salute, I say. “Yes, Mom.”
She glares, but I can see the smile fighting to come through.
Renata might be the re-founder of the coven, but it’s clear that the role of matron belongs to Rowyn. She loves getting to take care of them.
When the door clicks behind her, I drop to my knees in front of Renata and push her cardigan off her shoulders.
