“Because of the curse?” she asks, one of her pink nails rolling around the rim of her coffee mug.
“No, because it was wrong. The curse gave me time to think, but I would have come to the conclusion it was wrong…eventually.”
She grins and sips her tea, watching me over the rim of her cup. I sit still under her scrutiny, letting her analyze me as much as she wants. When we met, I was a wild shifter, moving in a way that would have gotten me in trouble if I crossed the wrong person. Had it not been Blossom, it would have been someone else, and I probably wouldn’t have lived to tell the tale.
Blossom could have done far worse than cursing me to stay in my shifter form, but she allowed me to learn and grow and thinkabout what I did. I’d like to think that during my captivity, I saw the error of my ways, and it made me a better person.
“How is it having a mate?” She glances over at Maverick, her eyes dropping to his claiming mark. “Can you feel that thread that connects you?”
“Yes,” I answer, searching myself to grab onto that bright thread that binds our souls. It thrums with happiness and gives me the warm fuzzies.
“And if that was snipped? If it were cut and you lost him?”
Devastation fills me at the mere thought of it. My mind tries to shy away from the implications, but I force myself to sit with it. If I lost Maverick I would die. I would waste away and fucking pass into the void without him. He means everything to me, he’s my life.
Then it hits me. That’s what this is all about. This is the lesson Blossom wanted me to learn. She wanted me to see how Stormy would have felt if Buttons never returned to her.
The sick feeling settles in my stomach and I want to vomit. I almost caused her the kind of pain my thoughts tell me are too terrible to even comprehend. If it had come to pass, I would have been responsible for the death of two beautiful creatures, and maybe Blossom going full dark side at the loss of her companions.
Blowing out a shuddering breath, I say, “I would follow directly behind him to the grave, my soul tattered beyond repair. I get it. And for that I owe Buttons and Stormy an apology as well.”
She smiles and places her cup back on the table. “I’m glad you understand what you did and the pain you would have wrought. And I accept your apology. Just so you know, the others that were with you got what they deserved too. Even though they tried to put the blame on you, I can always tell when I’m lied to.”
“What did…are they…” I stop, not finishing my sentence. I don’t need to know what happened to them. Whatever Blossom did was more than fair. I’m sure I got the worst of it, though.
Changing the course of my question, I ask, “How did you know they were lying? And why didn’t you tell me?”
“I knew they were lying, just like I knew Maverick was a good person when we met. I’m a witch.” She wiggles her fingers and sparks leap from the tips, making Maverick yelp. He covers it with a quick apology, though he positively beams at Blossom.
Looks like my mate found a new friend.
“Would you like to meet them? Buttons and Stormy?” she asks, getting to her feet.
“We would,” Maverick says, getting to his feet, pulling me up as well. “I’ve never been close to an owl before. I only see them when they’re flying. Oh! CADE TOLD ME ABOUT BARRED OWLS!” Both Blossom and I jump at the sound of his shouting. His face turns a bright shade of red as he rests his forehead against my bicep. “Oh my god, I swear I’ll stop yelling at you, Blossom.”
She laughs that tinkling sound that makes contentment settle over my shoulders. “It’s okay. I like your exuberance. Come, I’ll show you my babies.” She takes a few steps, then stops, holding up a finger. “Oh, one last thing.” Blossom snaps her fingers and something falls from above and plunks me on the head.
“Oww,” I groan, rubbing my crown. “The fuck was that?” I look down at a thick folder with my name embossed on the front.
“Sorry,” Blossom says, though she doesn’t sound as if she means it. “Grab it and see.”
I pick up the folder, open it, and see a birth certificate, a new social security card, my old high school transcripts—updated to this century, of course—and a brand spanking new driver’s license.
Eyes watering with gratitude, I look up at Blossom. I have to blink repeatedly so I can bring her into focus. “This is…I can’t…Blossom…”
I rush over to her and gather her in my arms, hugging her tightly. “Thank you so much. For my future. Now I can take care of my mate like he deserves.”
She rubs my back, the soothing circles making the tears drop from my eyes. “You deserved a second chance, Cade. I’m glad you got it and you appreciate it.” She pulls away and frames my face. A furrow dips her eyebrows as she says, “But if you do some shit like that again, I will personally tear you apart.”
I nod, accepting her terms. “Never again.” I look back at Maverick, who’s smiling from ear to ear. “I would never risk what I have with my mate.”
Blossom pats my cheek. “I know you won’t. Now let’s go see my babies, okay?”
Smiling, I drag Maverick beside me, and we follow Blossom to a wing of her house that can’t be seen from the outside, where her owls can fly in and out freely.
When Buttons sees me, he hoots loudly, the shrieks making me cover my ears. Maverick’s face is a mixture of apologetic and awestruck. Buttons and Stormy are beautiful, noble animals and I was wrong for almost ruining that.
Stepping closer, I look directly at both of them and express my deepest apologies. Their intelligent gazes never leave mine as I beg for their forgiveness.
