Page 45 of Secrets & Curses of Fate

“Della thinks I am funny.”

“Yeah, well, she is the only one,” Holden scoffed.

I turned to him and smiled. Sara was laughing behind her glass as I glared at Holden. Penelope stood up and clapped her hands together.

“I almost forgot!” She ran into the kitchen that looked exactly the same as it did when I first came to the house with Haden. “I made a new recipe,” she called from the kitchen.

My eyes widened. Henry glanced at all of us with a look of terror.

“She spent all day on it,” he warned us.

“Last time she spent that long on a dessert, I got food poisoning,” Holden whispered harshly. His father gave him a look that he better lie to his sweet mother and tell her that her dessert was the best thing he had ever tasted. Sara was laughing softly to herself as she watched Holden and Henry bicker back and forth. I was smiling, and out of habit, I turned to the seat Haden used to sit in. It still took my breath away when I saw it was empty. The pain stabbed through me, but I tried not to let it show. I could practically see him sitting in the chair next to me, looking like he did when I first met him.

I pictured his stormy blue eyes watching me closely. His dark blonde hair is messy from working on his home. The mischievous glint in his eyes was like we shared secrets. I swallowed hard, and the image in my mind floated away. I rubbed the back of my neck as it stiffened with tension. Quickly, I blinked back the tears that stung my eyes. I looked forward and grabbed my drink. Henry gave me a small smile full of sadness. He knew what I was thinking. Penelope came out and set down some sort of pie.

“That smells wonderful.” I inhaled the pleasant scent of the pie. “Lemon?”

“Lemon and blueberry.” She moved it so we could see how well she had done. “Now I know my baking has been…rocky, but I promise this is delicious.”

Henry served us each a piece, and we all stared at it, wondering who was going to be the bravest one to try it first.

“Oh, I forgot the silverware.” Penelope stood, and Holden looked at me.

“Goddesses can’t get sick; you test it first.”

I threw my napkin at him. Penelope handed each of us a spoon and waited for us to dig in.

“Holden, you do the honors of the first bite.” I smiled sweetly.

Henry’s shoulders shook with silent laughter. Sara snorted softly when Holden’s eyes narrowed on me. He lifted his spoon and took a bite, chewing hesitantly before swallowing.

“This is your best dessert so far.” He smiled. Penelope beamed at Holden before turning back to the kitchen. Holden shook his head, warning us all that it was not good. But we all ate it without complaint. It was her best dessert, but I’m pretty sure she forgot sugar, so it was an odd flavor.

“That was great.” I complimented when I finished first.

“Thank you, Della.”

I sat there for a long moment before looking at Haden’s empty chair again. Grief slammed into me. It had been two hundred years, but the grief never got easier—I just became used to it. Some days I still couldn't get out of bed. Mikel and Pia always came and sat with me on those extra hard days.

“Do you mind if I go to Haden’s room?”

“No, of course not,” Henry said.

I excused myself and headed up the staircase I had been up hundreds of times over the years. But each time it felt overwhelming. I opened the door to Haden’s room and inhaled his scent that still lingered. My magic kept this room standing still in time. The effects of time could not get to it. It was exactly as Haden had left it, and it would be forever. I instantly relaxed. My gaze went to the desk that we had shared our first kiss in front of.

That kiss had changed everything. I could still feel the way he gripped me to him and picture his flirty eyes. I smiled softly. Part of me loved the memories, but another part of me recoiled from them. It was still painful to remember specific times with him. It made the longing for him swirl, and my grief seemed to triple. My gaze didn't move from the desk, enjoying this memory.

My chest tightened at the sight of the plans for his house sitting on top. I traced the lines he drew and felt tears prick my eyes.

I ran my hand along the desk and chair. Haden had touched all of these things, and it made me feel closer to him somehow. I turned and walked to the bed. Slowly, I sank down onto the edge and let the feeling of missing Haden consume me. I grabbed his pillow and inhaled deeply.

“I miss you,” I whispered as if he could hear me.

A soft knock on the door startled me. Henry came in and sat next to me.

“I can’t believe it's been so long since we’ve seen him.” He sighed heavily as he glanced over Haden's room. His eyes paused on certain things longer, and I wondered what wonderful memories he had of Haden.

I nodded.

---