Page 65 of Wicked Witchmas: Elara & Tripp

Coffee midway to her lips, Payton stared. “What?”

“Her name is Storm Bringer, and she’s a badass water nymph in the Amazon jungle.”

“Elara, don’t take this the wrong way, but what the fuck are you smoking? And where do I get some?”

“I’m serious! Ask Tripp. He’s the one who took me there.” She shook her head and inhaled another macaron. Stress eating was a real issue for her. “Our father’s real name is Rhalassar, and he’s the son of Helios,notthe great-however-many-times-grandchild.”

“What?”

“And he was a player! With as many women as he’s stuck it to, we might have enough siblings to start a colony.”

“That sounds extreme.” Payton frowned and consumed two cookies as she processed the information. “He seemed devoted to Mom.”

“I thought so, too. Storm seemed to think Mom was the only reason he ended the wild oat sowing.”

“Do you think it’s why they left Witchmere? Were they on the run or something?”

Elara shrugged. “How the hello-fuzzy would I know?”

“I think we need to question Granny Flo and find out what the hell she’s hiding.” Payton’s chin was raised in challenge as if she expected opposition to her idea. And in the past, Elara might’ve put the brakes on interrogating Florence, but she was done with people lying to her.

“I agree. Finish your coffee, and let’s go.”

“You seem different,” Payton said during their short walk toNever Too Many.

“I’m just tired of others meddling in my life and making decisions without my consent.”

Like the damned boots.

She glanced down in time to see the sun catch one of the jewels, and the colorful purple burst eased some of her anger. They were beautiful, and it was hard to be pissed at inanimate objects, though it could be argued that they had a life of theirown. Primarily, she was furious at Hermes and Brelenia. At all the Gods in general for their games. Unfortunately, Tripp fell under the subheading of a god, and it was difficult to be around him in her current state.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that he, like her father, had been around for hundreds of years and might’ve been careless with hearts along the way. In her earlier incarnations, he was kind and caring, but he never mentioned love. Yes, he’d admitted to feelings before kissing her at the bay. But again, was it love or affection? Because the two were vastly different.

“Tripp said he was going to the lake. I got the impression you knew which one,” Payton said. There was a gentle understanding in her voice, indicating she was sensitive to Elara’s feelings.

How many times had she missed the nuanced tone in the past? How had she failed to credit Payton with empathy?

She halted and placed a hand on her arm. “I’m sorry, Pay.”

“For what?”

“For being a shitty sister. For not seeing you were hurting, too, and on a deeper level because of our parents and the situation with Dailey. I only saw your actions through my crappy-life-tinted glasses.”

Tears filled Payton’s large, lovely eyes, and a sad smile curled her lips. “Thank you, but you were never a shitty sister, El. You were the best. When I needed support, you gave it without fail. Don’t place the blame for my failures on your shoulders. That’s not fair to you.”

“I’m not, but I could’ve been more understanding and less surly when you needed space to be you.”

Undiluted love shone back from Payton’s beautiful face. “You were dealing with demons, just like me. The endless hours you’ve spent with Harrison Cobb was your outlet. One I should’ve copied. Maybe Dailey and I would’ve worked out.”

“It would’ve been hard to talk to your fiancé’s brother in a professional capacity,” Elara said, crinkling her nose. “I couldn’t have done it.” She hugged Payton. “Thank you for your forgiving heart, Pay. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Embarrassed by the outpouring of emotion, she looked down. The stone that had flared to life earlier was glowing brightly.

“Do you see that?” she asked.

“Yeah, it’s weird, isn’t it?”

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