Page 120 of Queen of Nothing

Mother interjects, “Oh, with Serena gone, Oliver could have his pick, but between business and the search…” Her smile renews and she pats me on the hand. “Well, isn’t it a happy thing that it brought Oliver and Asta together?”

Amelia adds, “Their engagement was a sunray in a storm cloud.”

She isn’t being tacky.

Amelia is sincere in that.

Oliver and Asta’s union might have been the only positive thing that happened to the coven that year.

Still, I want to gag.

Oliver doesn’t care to add anything.

Asta picks at the small potatoes on her plate.

She doesn’t look at me. Maybe she can’t bring herself to. The shame of being caught climbing into the bed of her best friend’s fiancé. Practically on her grave, too.

Bet she hoped the day of my return never came, that I would be lost and running out there forever.

I say, “I recall your affections laid elsewhere.”

Father sets down his glass, water that I’m sure he didn't even take a sip of.

He chides, darkly, “People have married, people have had children, found careers, moved, and died. This world did not stop running because you did.”

My face hardens.

Grandmother sips from a teacup, but the sharp focus of her eyes swerving back and forth gives her interest away.

Then a gentle touch glides over my hand.

I blink on Mother, at her faint smile.

She reassures, “You will be brought up to date on everything that has happened before you are reintroduced to society. I do not want you to worry about that.”

I’m not.

She knows it, too.

It’s just a steering.

A redirection.

“You have had quite the journey,” Mother adds with a pinched frown on her brow. “Perhaps it’s time to rest.”

It’s time to rest…

To not run anymore.

Not look over my shoulder with every step.

Not work myself to the bone, then survive on carbs and junk food.

Those words hit me harder than the hug that threw me into the car door.

But I’m not allowed to escape just yet.

Father rises from his chair. “Amelia, Dray, please stay and enjoy dessert. There is much to celebrate tonight.” Father turns on me. “As for you, we need to have a conversation. Come.”