Page 94 of Love's a Witch
“What are these?” Lyra picked an envelope up. “December 2022.”
Nova picked another one up. “June 2021.”
“Letters. I wrote you all a letter each month, even though I had nowhere to post them. In my own way, I hoped you would one day know that I cared, and still care, about all of you.”
My heart twisted, and something warm and hot rose in my throat. I stood up, uncertain what to do, but knowing I needed space.
“Sloane.” Dad looked at me as I turned to walk away. I paused, looking down at him as he held out a hand to me. “I know you dealt with the worst of it, and for that, I’m sorry. I can’t give you your childhood back, but I hope I can give you your father back. If you’ll have me.”
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly, even though his face fell. “It’s going to take time. I’m not saying that I can’t get there, but I can’t just pretend like we are suddenly one happy family.”
Dad nodded, accepting my words. “I hope you’ll stay and we can make that time.”
I nodded once more and then disappeared upstairs, my misgivings churning in my gut. If I didn’t tamp down on my feelings, I might blow the entire house up.
And when Knox video called to show me Blue at his side, he took one look at my face and knew something was wrong.
“I’m coming.”
“No, no, it’s fine.” I waved him away, but the screen was already black. I shouldn’t have answered. I should have known better.
A tap at my window five minutes later had me blinking into the storm in surprise. There, Knox hovered in the air, Blue in his arms. Sliding the window up, I pulled him inside, shocked.
“You can fly?”
“Hover for short bursts as needed.” Knox collapsed on my bed, and Blue launched himself at me, deliriously happy. “Things looked intense downstairs, so I thought to bypass whatever had put that look on your face.”
“You didn’t need to come,” I said, trying to look everywhere but at him as Blue licked my face.
“Yes, I did, lass.” Knox patted the bed next to him. “Come here, love. Tell me about it.”
“I…” I paused as I realized that instead of hiding it all, pushing it all down as I usually did, I genuinely wanted to tell Knox about it.
Plopping down on the bed, I curled into his side.
And told him everything.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIXSloane
Despite our best efforts, the snow had intensified and was approaching catastrophic levels. While the Pinecones & Peppermint Fest had done good things for tourism, and people had been happy with all the snow-filled games, another week had passed and the onslaught of bad weather showed no signs of weakening. The Charms told me everyone was working at full effort now to make the village even somewhat passable, and it was hard to say how long they’d hold up under the strain.
We were also no further along on our break-the-curse path.
And while I hadn’t quite come to terms with our father’s sudden reappearance in our lives, I also hadn’t frozen him out. Talking to Knox had been surprisingly helpful, largely because he hadn’t pushed me in one direction or the other. Instead, he’d suggested that I take all the time I needed to feel my feelings and reminded me nothing had to be decided in that instant. Hearing that had loosened some of the tension, because he was right—I could take my time. It had been years since I’d seen my father, and now that I knew where he was, I could ease into our relationship again on my terms.
Each night, I read one of his letters, as did my sisters, to varying reactions.
But the dragon revelation had to be one of the biggest surprises. Now, all of Nova’s sketchbooks were being filled with increasingly intricate dragon designs, while Lyra was researching the history of the dragon keepers.
And I went to see Dorothy at the Dragon’s Hoard, Blue along for the ride. We went after she’d closed the shop for the day, on Thursday as requested, and she’d all but flung the door open and wrenched us inside when we arrived.
“I’ve been so nervous, I’ve been pacing!” Dorothy exclaimed, waving a finger at the wall of snow behind us. “I was worried you wouldn’t make it.”
“The Land Rover’s been pretty reliable. I just went extra slow.” As much as I hated to admit it, I was in love with Knox’s car and might have a hard time giving it back to him. At least he had several options in his garage to choose from, surely he wouldn’t miss it?
“I’m just so pleased you’re here.” Dorothy clapped her hands together, her face alight with pleasure as she beamed at where Blue’s wee nose poked out of my coat. “An emberwolf. My, what an honor. Even though you are a keeper’s daughter and all. It’s just rare to see.”
“How did you know I’m a keeper’s daughter?” My father had said this was a family secret. I followed Dorothy as she waved us through the shop and up the stairs to a small second-floor flat. Here, a rich navy-blue color on the wall made the colorful chairs, abstract paintings, and shelves full of intricate baubles that rivaled the likes of a museum pop. She directed me toward two velvet armchairs in pale dusky gold, a low-slung coffee table between them.
