Page 107 of A Bolt of Magic

“Of course, but just the one. I have a long trip to make in the morning.”

More than that, I am eager to see McColl. I can’t wait to see her face light up when I tell her about this meeting. I want to share this moment of triumph with the woman who’s come to mean more to me than she should.

Tomorrow will come soon enough. Tomorrow, I’ll have to return to the reality of war and duty and the impossible task ahead of us.

But tonight… Tonight, I want to be with McColl. To hold her again and pretend, just for a few more hours, that we could have more.

32

McColl

I sit on the stone bench in the small park across from the Great Hall, my hands clenched so tightly in my lap that my knuckles have gone white. The afternoon sun warms my face. I should be relaxed and soaking it up. All around me, the valley is picture-perfect. From the birds singing in the trees to the flowers blooming in vibrant colors in large beds, not to mention the children who are playing in the distance, their shouts of laughter carrying to me in the slight breeze.

But I can’t enjoy any of it.

I’m sick with worry.

My entire being is focused on those large iron doors across the square. The doors that Kian walked through, what feels like an age ago, to face The Circle. To face my mother and six other powerful witches who could decide his fate with a single word.

So far, all has been quiet. No sounds of conflict, no sudden bursts of magic that I can sense, or the smell of burning in the air. I keep telling myself that it’s a good sign. If they weretrying to kill him, surely there would be some indication? Some magical disturbance? Surely?

But the silence is almost worse than chaos would be. At least then I’d know what was happening.

I’m tempted to go inside. To burst through those doors, but I can’t. I can’t do that to Kian. I have to sit tight and trust in him, just as he has always trusted in me. I have to trust in his ability to sway them. To see what is needed of them and of our coven. To do what is right. I wish I’d had the courage to wish him good luck before he went in there, but I avoided him this morning.

I shift on the bench for what feels like the hundredth time, my dress rustling against the stone. The carriage waits nearby, the driver dozing in the afternoon warmth, but I can’t bring myself to sit in its confines. I need to be able to see those doors. Need to be ready to run if anything goes sideways.

My thoughts are also on my grandmother. I visited her earlier, but she didn’t recognize me. It was just as my mother said it would be. It was heartbreaking to see her like that. I’m so deep in my thoughts that I don’t hear her approach.

“Well, well. If it isn’t the witch who thinks she’s too good for her own kind.”

Moons, what did I do to deserve this?

I lift my head, and it is indeed Lydia. The last person I want to see. Her hips sway with that same confident stride as always. She’s dressed in a simple green dress that makes the silver strands in her hair more apparent.

A Child of the Veil.

“Oh, it’s you.” I keep my voice neutral, though every muscle in my body tenses. “I’m not in the mood for whatever games you want to play today.”

She laughs, the sound sharp and mocking. “Games? This isn’t a game. I’m just curious how long you think your little fairytale will last?”

I stand up from the bench, my patience already worn thin by worry and anxiety. “What are you talking about?” I sound defeated.

“Your fae pet, of course.” She tosses her dark hair over her shoulder. “Once he gets what he wants,” she gestures to the Great Hall, “he’s going to leave as fast as his legs will take him. You know that, right?” She narrows her eyes at me.

The words hit their mark, just as she intended. But instead of the crushing shame I might have felt a week ago, anger rises in me like a tidal wave. I’ve had enough. More than enough.

“Don’t bring Kian into this. What does he—?” I sigh. “You know what, Lydia?” I step closer to her, my voice gaining strength. “I’m done. I’ve had enough of you and your nastiness. What exactly is your problem with me? What did I ever do to you to make you so determined to hurt me? To bring me down every chance you get?”

For a moment, Lydia looks taken aback by my direct challenge. Her perfectly composed mask wavers, and I see something in her eyes, something that looks almost like pain.

“My problem?” She laughs, but it sounds hollow now. “My problem is that you have everything, McColl. You always have. And you don’t even realize it. The perfect life. The perfect everything.” Her voice breaks a little. She looks upset. Like I hurt her.

Not a chance. I won’t have her turn this around on me.

Just as quickly, she pulls herself together, her gaze hardening.

I stare at her in genuine shock. “Everything? Are you completely mad? You think I have everything?” I laugh bitterly. “You’ve had access to your magic your whole life. Everything has come easily to you. You’re beautiful, confident, one of the Children of the Veil. You have everything I’ve ever wanted. Howis it that I have the perfect life? Where did you come up with that?”

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