“I came here to use your apothecary,” I tell her, and Mom’s head falls sideways. “It is important.”
Juliette’s eyes darken before she mumbles, “Ungrateful.”
I glare at her. She is getting on my last nerve.
“Of course,” Mom replies. “But make it fast. We are serving dessert soon. Join us.”
I nod, but Mom forgets I don’t eat cake. The thought leaves a hollowness in my chest.
Instead of embracing who I am, she wants me to change.
As we enter Mom’s apothecary, the familiar scents of drying herbs hanging from the ceiling envelop me. Their leaves rustle softly when the heater kicks on. Jars reminiscent of those in the spectacle shop Jaxson and I visited earlier line the shelves. Each container holds various herbs, spices, medicinal ingredients, and psychedelic mushrooms.
The sight of the mushrooms triggers a memory from my apprenticeship at Hebe. Jaxson and I came down here after researching the benefits of mushrooms. That was shortly after Wilder left for Aurora. I’d wanted to make a mushroom tea. However, I inadvertently grabbed the wrong kind, and we spent the rest of the evening laughing uncontrollably while hallucinating on the couch, the world around us melting into a kaleidoscope of sounds and shapes. Our drug-induced euphorialed to us skinny dipping in the canal. Unfortunately, swimming in the canals is illegal due to boat traffic and water quality, and our excursion got called to the authorities. Dad made us sleep off our high at the Blade Precinct.
I smile. We’ve had some good times together.
I gather the necessary ingredients and add them to a stone mortar before grinding everything together with a pestle. Jaxson hovers nearby, his presence both comforting and distracting when he picks up the jar of mushrooms, a coy smile on his face. My chest flutters at his playful expression. Meeting his gaze, I wiggle my eyebrows at him, a silent acknowledgment of the connection that seems to grow stronger with each passing moment.
“Remember—”
Juliette enters the apothecary. “Are you two finished yet?”
My shoulders practically touch my ears, but I don’t turn around. “I’m in the middle of creating a dressing, so no, I need five more minutes,” I snap.
Juliette scoffs. Her heels snap behind me. “We don’t want you here, Desiree. This is a big night for your mom. And you bring drama wherever you go. Or was it your intention to ruin my party?”
My hand clenches around the pestle. “I didn’t ruin anything, and it’s my mom’s party, not yours.”
“That’s what I meant.”
I roll my eyes. Sure it was. Fucking egomaniac.
“Juliette, shouldn’t you be schmoozing upstairs? Your perfume is giving me an allergic reaction,” Jaxson says.
I soften, knowing he always has my back. When we were in high school, he’d always jump headfirst into any fight if he stumbled upon kids bullying me. It was one of the reasons I fell for him. He was my knight in ripped jeans and a faded hoodie,always ready to defend me. With a smile tugging at my lips, I return my focus to the pestle.
Juliette laughs. “I should be, but I’m down here babysitting you.”
“Go away, Juliette,” I grouse.
“Make me, Desiree.”
I face her. “Are you trying to pick a fight with me?”
Juliette’s grin is cruel. “You annoy me so easily, Desiree. You may be a vampire now, but not much else has changed, has it? You still yearn for attention, desperately clinging to Jaxson’s side. He’s the only person who can stomach your presence for more than five minutes.” She takes a step closer, her eyes narrowing. “This is why I’m here to clarify one thing and one thing only. The two of you don’t scare me. In the grand scheme of things, you are nothing.”
“You’re a bitch, Juliette,” Jaxson says, and I nod in agreement.
Juliette faces Jax. “Oops. Did I strike a nerve? I get why you went for Desiree, Jaxson. She’s pretty and all that, but she’s also easy. And you never had much ambition, did you? Is that why you’re here tonight, rather than helping protect the city from all the politicaldrama?”
Jaxson’s jaw hardens. “Walk away, Juliette.”
“I’m just getting started. I heard you turned down the opportunity to compete in Domna Trials in Glaucus. Was it because of Desiree?”
I gasp. He didn’t tell me that. Why didn’t he say anything? Being Domna is a huge deal. The fact he made such an impression that another commander in a different city chose him to compete is impressive. Jax should at least consider it. He’d have so many opportunities but also a lot more responsibility. My throat thickens. It’s making much more sense why he didn’t share the good news.
A nagging suspicion grows in the back of my mind. Could I have influenced his decision to put his future on hold? Perhaps he’s worried about leaving me behind or feels obligated to stay by my side. Suddenly, another thought strikes me. If Jax competed and won, he’d leave Borealis. He’d be hundreds of miles away, starting a new life in a different city. My heart sinks at the idea of being separated from him.
