Page 80 of The Witch's Spell
“What’s he doing here?” I growl, pushing away from the table and shoving to my feet.
Aurora stands up straight and stretches her back. “No idea. I didn’t know they were even in the village anymore.”
The fog has been gone for days; there’s no reason for Cathal and Orla to still be hanging around here. Unless he still has unfinished business with me.
I would really rathernotfight on a day Aurora has so been looking forward to, but if that’s what he wants, so be it.
Fingers already flexing into fists, I stalk into the foyer, where Alden’s broad frame is blocking the doorway. He glances over his shoulder at me, and our eyes meet.
The look on his face tells me to watch myself. I clench my teeth and give him a small nod. Then he steps aside.
Cathal and Orla are standing on the porch, still wearing the borrowed clothes, cloaks, and boots Aurora gave them. An angry red mark snakes up the side of Cathal’s neck, and a tingle of pride goes through me at the sight. Hopefully I hurt him just as badly as he hurt me.
“You shouldn’t be here,” I snap, easing through the door and pulling it closed behind me. Aurora will be bothered by hearing us argue, and I’d rather not give her a reason to frown today. She wassomad at me when I fought with Cathal here in the clearing. I’m really going to at least try to control myself right now.
“I know,” Cathal says. “But I...” He crosses his arms and glances at Orla, who gives him a small nod. “I have some things to say to you before we go.”
The look they exchange makes me narrow my eyes. What the hell are they planning?
“If I talk to you, you’ll leave?” I ask.
Cathal nods once. “Yes.”
I chew the inside of my lip, remembering the taste of Cathal’s blood in my mouth. Then I give him a firm nod. “Fine. But not here. I don’t want you to upset Aurora.”
The door opens behind me, and Aurora’s soft smell wafts over us.
Too late.
My gaze slides down to her as she steps out of the cottage and onto the porch beside me. Her hand finds my arm, her body warm as she presses herself against me.
“What’s going on?” she asks. Her voice is already sharper than usual. Tension and concern drift through our bond.
“It’s okay,” I tell her. “He just wants to talk. We’re not going to fight.” I shoot Cathal a stern glare, and he gives me a small nod before stepping back and off the porch.
“You promise?” Aurora asks. But she’s not looking at me. She’s looking at my brother.
“I promise,” he says, voice low. “I won’t start anything. Just want to talk.”
A deep sigh flutters from Aurora’s lips. Then she nods. “Orla, would you like to come in? I have some things to say to you as well.”
Orla blinks her vivid yellow eyes, her brows rising toward her chestnut hairline. “I’d love that.”
“Come in, then. You want cocoa? Or tea?”
A smile flashes across Orla’s face just before she eases past me and into the cottage. “Cocoa would be great,” she says.
Then the door closes.
And it’s just me and him.
“Let’s walk,” Cathal says. He nods toward the forest line.
I think of going back inside to grab my boots, but I get so heated around my brother, it might be nice to feel the cold on my skin. Maybe it’ll keep me grounded, like Aurora always says.
So I step off the porch and into the snow.
We don’t speak as we walk toward the trees. The air smells crisp and fresh, like pine and mineral and frost. Our breath steams around our mouths.
