I thought about this for a moment, trying to process everything she’d just told me. “What if you just ran out of magick? The full moon is on the way, and you can try then.”
She bit her lower lip and shook her head. “It feels different than when I need to recharge.”
We were quiet for a long time, just watching Tansy and the little girl as they continued to play with the jewelry. Something the two of us never did as children. If we wanted to play, we did it outside, away from everyone else. Staring up at the stars and making up our own stories about the witches in the sky.
“Is this the real reason why you’re staying behind?” I asked. “Because you think you’re cursed?”
Sera inhaled through her nose, then exhaled slowly, like she’d been bracing for this moment. “Here, the moonstone and the shifting don’t raise as many questions. Besides,” she said, glancing at the bed where Tansy and the little girl sat, “you’ve got friends coming with you. You don’t need me.”
I heard the bitterness in her tone, and it made me incredibly sad to see her in my shoes. For her to feel like an outcast now. It was not what I wanted. I swallowed, forcing the words past the knot in my throat. “I will always need you, Sera. You’re my sister.”
“I think…” She hesitated, her eyes flicking to the floor. “I think I need to find answers. Maybe the witches over the mountains will know more about werewolves. I’m going to start there.”
I studied her, my chest aching, even though I understood. More than I wanted to. I remembered the nights we spent beneath the stars as children, dreaming of different lives, desperate for answers. Now, the need to figure out who we were throbbedin both of us. I tucked her hair behind her ear once again, revealing her scar, and gave her a small, trembling smile.
“Well, if you ever change your mind, you are always welcome to come with us. Curse or not.”
She said nothing, and silence settled between us. We both watched the little girl as she held up a gold locket from the jewelry box, twisting it between her fingers. She smiled brightly and slipped it over her head. Tansy showed her how to open it, and her eyes lit up with excitement.
Sera shifted, giving me a weak smile as her hands fell to her sides. “Did I tell you that Tyson offered me a position on his council? Ambassador to the Lawless Lands.” She let out a small laugh. “I’ll come with him to oversee construction on the new castle and ensure the witches’ opinions are made known.”
I raised a brow. Knowing exactly the kind of vampire Tyson Allard was. “Oh, he did, did he?”
A burst of heat colored her cheeks. “I’m notthatreckless. Don’t worry.”
I smirked. “Right.”
She narrowed her eyes. "Claire."
I reached for her hand, threading my fingers through hers, squeezing once.
“You’re not reckless.” I squeezed again, softer this time. “You’re just Sera. You have a wild heart, and you follow it without apology.”
Something shifted in her expression.
“I love you,” I said. “No matter what.”
She swallowed.
Then, after a long moment, she squeezed my hand back. “I love you, too.”
The little girl, now wearing at least three rings that didn’t fit and a tangled mess of necklaces, giggled softly with Tansy, their feet swinging off the edge of the bed.
I set my hand on my stomach, and warmth spread through me, quiet and whole. I decided this must be what it was like to have a real family. I turned toward the door, knowing Bastien was about to enter even before I heard him softly knocking. “Is everyone decent?”
I giggled. “Yes, we’re all decent. Come in.”
The door opened, and my husband appeared. I didn’t know why he despised finery so much because when he wore it, he was absolutely breathtaking. A black velvet coat framed his broad, muscled shoulders. Gold thread embroidered the cuffs and collar in an intricate pattern. Beneath the coat, he wore a high-collared waistcoat of gold silk with a line of polished jet buttons marching down the center. Finally, a black cravat was tied around the pale column of his throat, fastened with a slender gold pin. The only thing that wasn’t black or gold was his bloodstone, which sat visibly against his chest, pulsing frantically with my heart.
“Ladies,” he said in greeting. “You all look lovely.”
As he took a step inside, a few strands of his golden hair fell forward, brushing the angles of his face. His pale blue eyes flicked down the deep neckline of the dress in a slow, indulgent perusal. He swallowed hard, then, through our bond, said,"I keep believing I’ve grown accustomed to your beauty. I never do."
I exhaled, steadying myself."Bastien?—"
He quickly closed the space between us and captured my hands in his, kissing both of my knuckles.“How am I supposed to leave your side tonight when you look like this?”His eyes locked onto mine, and the smirk faded, somethingrawtaking its place.
“You can and you will,”I told him, knowing sometimes he needed direction.
