Page 114 of A Bolt of Magic

I lean down and kiss her forehead gently. “I love you, Grandmother,” I whisper. “I know you didn’t mean it. Rest well.”

I walk to the door, seeing that it is slightly ajar. I frown because I thought I closed it.

As I step out of the room, I nearly collide with a middle-aged woman in a crisp white apron.

“Oh! Excuse me,” she says, steadying herself. “You must be McColl. I’m Beatrice, one of your grandmother’s carers.” Her eyes light up with excitement. “The fae king—” She blushes slightly at the mention of him. “He was…um…just here just a few moments ago; he told me that your grandmother was lucid and speaking clearly. I can hardly believe it! It’s been many moons since the dear lady could string even two coherent sentences together. In fact, she hasn’t done more than mutter garbled nonsense for the longest time. That’s if she talks at all. In truth, I thought she was fading away. She must sense your presence. It’s truly a miracle, my lady.”

The words hit me like cold water. Many moons? Garbled nonsense? “She’s been…worse than I realized?”

“Oh, yes. Much worse. Most days, she doesn’t even seem to know where she is. Your visit has brought her back to herself somehow.” Beatrice beams at me. “It’s wonderful to see.”

“Yes, it is. I will cherish this time with her.”

Beatrice nods. “Very wise words. She is fading fast. I don’t know how long she has left.”

My eyes sting.

“Oh, my lady, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“No, it’s fine. You’re right. It’s just hard to see. Thank you for taking such great care of her. Where is Kian?” I ask, looking around. “The fae king?”

“Oh, he left a short while ago,” Beatrice says cheerfully. “Something about needing to pack for his journey. He looked a little upset.”

My heart sinks. He left? Without me? That doesn’t make sense. Why would he leave without saying goodbye, without at least checking on me?

Unless…

My mother. She must have said something to him. Must have made it clear that his presence was no longer welcome, that he should go.

I need to get back to the house and right now.

“Thank you, Beatrice,” I say quickly. “Please take good care of her.”

“Of course, my lady. I always had a soft spot for your grandmother. She told me so much about you…I mean, before she got so bad. Her memory was as sharp as a whip. She couldn’t tell you what she had just eaten for breakfast, but could recall every little detail about the past. You were her favorite topic. It was McColl this and McColl that. I thought you should know that.”

“Thank you. It means so much.” I give Beatrice a quick hug. “I need to go.”

Then I hurry from the house, my mind racing as fast as my feet.

I can’t let Kian leave without telling him how I feel.

35

Kian

I shove my clothes into my pack with jerky, violent movements, each item thrown in like I’m trying to punish the fabric itself. My hands shake with barely contained anger, and I have to pause, gripping the edge of the bed tightly.

Used.

The word echoes in my mind like a death knell. It wasn’t like that. It never felt like that. I was so fucking naive. So completely taken in by her sweet smiles and soft touches. By the way she looked at me like I mattered. Like I was more than just a means to an end.

Xander and Thesha warned me. They told me witches were cunning, that they couldn't be trusted. That McColl would use my attraction to her to get what she wanted. And what did I do? I defended her. I vouched for her character. I fell completely and utterly in love with her. Then I fell straight into her well-made trap.

Like a fool.

The conversation I overheard between McColl and her grandmother plays on repeat in my head, each word cutting deeper than the last.

“Did you take my advice? Did you use him like I told you to? Not just for pleasure but to get your magic?”

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