Page 70 of Secrets & Curses of Fate

Her words made my chest tight. Remiah had always been the more realistic of the two of us. She never let herself dream of a life beyond what we had. I knew she didn’t want to get married before because she was terrified she would end up with someone like our father. I was worried I would turn into him. Maybe that is why I never had any interest in anyone before, because I was terrified I would end up being a piece of shit.?

But now I could see that I would never be like him. When you grow up in an environment like we did, it is hard to see past the trauma and hurt to the possibilities. Remiah and I had every opportunity to make our lives exactly what we wanted.?

Maybe that was all we needed growing up—someone, anyone, to think we were worthy of loving. I watched Remiah giggling as she moved around the ice. I couldn’t wait to see where life took us now. I couldn’t wait to see my sister get everything she deserved because she was the only reason for living that I had growing up. Remy saved me countless times.?

We stepped off the pond and headed for our food, which was not much. I kept glancing around to see if Della would come.

“Is there a reason you keep looking around frantically?” Remy asked.?

“Della promised she would come see me every day, and the sun is starting to set.” I frowned.?

“Well, the day isn’t done yet. She’ll come.” Remy smiled, but I was worried I scared the shit out of her being void last night. I could not control myself in that state, but the void also acted on the impulses I tried to bury. And it knew how badly I wanted Della.

I glanced around the clearing and sighed.?

“Hi.” Della’s voice came from behind me, and I turned quickly.?

“You came.”?

“I promised I would. I keep my promises, Haden.” She turned to Remiah and smiled. “Hi, Remiah.”?

“Della.” Remy’s eyes looked at me like she was trying to communicate something without talking out loud.?

“Well, you’ve seen my face. I have to go.”?

I stepped toward her desperately.?

“You just got here.”?

She smiled at me.?

“Did you miss me, Haden?” Gods, she was still being a tease. I gave her a knowing look. “I know, but I had a busy day with work, and time slipped from me. I would stay, but it's family dinner night.”?

Family dinner night? Della looked over my face for a second.?

“I go to my family’s house once a week and have a big meal with them. I never miss it. So, I’m sorry, but I can’t stay.”?

“Okay." I said, disappointed.?

Della turned like she was going to leave but stopped and turned to us. She hesitated for a long moment.

“Would you two like to come?”?

“To your family dinner? Wouldn’t that be odd?" I asked.

Della smiled brightly at my nervousness. She stepped forward and tilted her head to the side.?

“No, I think they would love both of you.”?

“We didn’t bring nice clothes.” Remiah chimed in. Della flicked her wrist, and her magic shot out of her. The silvery mist circled around both Remiah and I, so quickly our hair moved in the wind. When the magic pulled away, our outfits were different. I glanced up at her.?

“You don’t have to, but you haven’t tasted good food until you’ve had my family’s food.” She was trying to convince us, and it was working. I wanted to spend more time with her. Shit, I wanted to meet her family. I looked at Remy, and she nodded enthusiastically.

“All right, we’ll go.”?

Della’s smile was contagious as her starlight mist wrapped around us. When it faded away, I had to close my eyes tightly to keep from throwing up. After a moment, I opened my eyes, expecting to see a grand castle or mansion based on Della’s pretty dresses she wore. But the home looked…homey and welcoming.?

Della’s eyes did not leave my face, like she was waiting for a reaction.?

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