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Her gaze sharpened. “Of course. I knew you were intelligent.”

Condescending cow. “What do you want?”

Olive looked to Clayton and he quickly stepped forward. “We have a history. We were friends once…more than that. I messed up, but I was young, stupid, I hurt you…”

“Not as much as you think you did, I assure you.”

That easygoing smile returned. “Right, of course.”

“Spit it out, Clayton.” Though I had a feeling I knew what he was about to say.

“We…I’m proposing an alliance.”

Goddess, not again. “What kind of an alliance?”

He closed the space between us, took my hand, and looked deep into my eyes. “Marriage. You and me. Your power is impressive, Willow, and your family’s cemetery is coveted by every coven in America. But our power is not to be sneezed at either. I think we’re closely matched…” In your dreams. “…and our family has money, influence, connections. Our children would be formidable, unbeatable.”

I couldn’t believe this was happening again. “Well, aren’t I the popular one? That’s two marriage proposals in twenty-four hours.”

Olive shot to her feet and Clayton’s smile dropped completely. “You’re engaged?”

“No.”

They both released sighs of relief.

“I have no intention of marrying, not for any reason.”

Olive’s hands curled into fists. “How very selfish of you. This conviction of yours, you consider it more important than your sister’s life?”

“Mother,” Clay said, tone chastising, then he turned back to me. “Will you think about it, Willow? Despite the obvious reasons this alliance would be beneficial, I think we’d get along very well together. I’m not after a marriage of continence. I want a real marriage, a true partnership. We’d be good together.”

Was he serious? “As lovely as this has been, I’ll be leaving now.” I strode out, and Clayton’s quick steps followed me.

I jogged down the stairs and to my truck.

“Willow, wait.”

I pulled the door open.

“I’m sorry for that. We ambushed you. My mother and I, we both want this alliance, just for different reasons.”

A laugh burst from me, surprising us both. “If you’re about to tell me you’re in love with me…”

“No, of course not.” He shoved his fingers through his hair. “But if an alliance is in my future, I’d rather it be with you.”

“Why would you do that? Christ, Clayton, a marriage of convenience, really?”

He shrugged and slid his hands in his pockets. “You’ve obviously heard about my family…our losses. I believe someone is out to get us, Willow. I care about this family, about the future of our coven. We need power and to increase our coven’s numbers.” His head tilted to the side. “I want to save my family, and I believe you can help me do that. I’ve always cared about you.” He flashed me one of those handsome grins. “You’re incredibly beautiful, even more so than when we were in high school. Being with you, sharing a bed with you, wouldn’t be a hardship. And I do believe love could grow between us if given the chance.”

I opened my mouth to tell him it would never happen, but he got in first.

“Don’t say no, not yet. Just think about it. The offer’s there if you change your mind. I know how much you love your sister. We could really help her, Wills.”

There were so many things I wanted to say. Instead I got in the Morris, slammed the door, and got the hell out of there before I punched him in the face or burned their fugly new mansion to the ground as well.

I’d find a way to help Rose, I would, and without selling my soul to the Whitlocks. And passing this task, winning my trial, increasing my family’s power, strengthening our magic, was the best way to accomplish that.

Something hot and tight, something that gripped like jagged claws, bit into my stomach.