Page 97 of Wedded Witch

I nod, but the fear still lingers in my chest. The weight of what’s coming, the darkness looming on the horizon…it’s a physical ache I can’t shift. And as much as I want to believe we can handle it, there’s a part of me that knows we’re already out of our depth.

“Okay,” I say, my voice shaky but determined. “Let’s figure this out. Together.”

Mavis steps back, giving us a nod of approval. “Good. You’re going to need all the help you can get, child. This isn’t going to be easy. But you’ve got something most witches don’t.”

“What’s that?” I ask, my heart thudding in my chest.

She glances between Sol, Kel, and Ri, then back at me, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “Loyalty. Strength. And love.”

I open my mouth to argue with her - it’s definitely too soon to be using the ‘L-word’ but she cuts me off with a knowing smirk.

“Those boys of yours—they’ll fight to the end for you. That’s more powerful than any spell.”

Her words sink in, and I feel a warmth spread through me despite the fear. She’s right. I’m not in this alone. No matter how dark things get, I’ve got them. And that’s something I can hold on to.

“Right. Let’s get moving,” Ri says, breaking the moment. “We’ve got work to do.”

“Thanks, Mavis. Can you hold down the fort here?” Sol asks. “There’s a stray dog in our flat that needs some attention.” She nods and waves her hand in a ‘leave it with me’ motion.

The four of us start to move as one, the tension easing, but the seriousness of the situation still weighing on us. As we walk, Sol catches my eye, giving me a reassuring smile that makes my heart flutter.

Kel nudges my shoulder with a playful grin, trying to lighten the mood, and Ri… well, he’s still brooding, but the protectiveness is radiating off him in waves.

Whatever’s coming, we’ll face it together. And somehow, that makes all the difference.

SWYN

The woods feel unnaturallyquiet as we enter Spells Hollow, the aftermath of the storm hanging in the air like a bruise. The trees, splintered and broken, mirror the mess of thoughts in my head.

Ri is ahead of me, his steps sure, Sol and Kel flanking us. Their presence is protective, but the weight in my chest is growing heavier with every step.

“Stay close,” Ri murmurs, glancing back. His hair is still damp from the short shower of rain we experienced on our way here, so dark it looks black, and for a brief moment, I wish I could sink into the comfort of his warmth.

But something’s off. It’s not just the storm…something else is pulling me deeper into the woods.

I can feel it. It’s like there’s a pulsing thread of invisible violet light coming from my chest leading me somewhere… gently tugging me. And with every step in the right direction that I take, the light glows brighter and the hum of magic, or energy, or electricity or something, increases.

And then, I see him.

My breath catches in my throat as I spot a body slumped against the base of an old oak, barely visible beneath the shattered branches.Oland.

Without thinking, I rush forward, darting round Ri, my heart slamming against my rib cage.

“Swyn! Stop!” The guys bark, but I can’t.

“Oland!” His name feels foreign on my lips, but it’s all I can say as I kneel beside him. He’s battered, his skin ghostly pale, with cuts and bruises covering his arms and face.

Blood seeps from his side, staining the ground beneath him. But he’s breathing—shallow, weak, but alive.

My hands tremble as I press them to his chest, unsure of what to do.

“Oland, can you hear me?” I whisper, panic rising in my throat. The others gather around, tense and silent.

“Careful, Swyn. It could be a trap,” Ri murmurs cautiously. I guess as soon as I said his name, they must have realised who he is, and I’m grateful for them not trying to pull me away from him.

It’s not a trap. Don’t know how I know, but I justdo.The thread led me to Oland. We’re connected just as surely as I’m connected to the three brothers.

Oland’s eyes flutter open, dull blue meeting mine, and a weak smile tugs at his lips. “You…found me.”

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