Page 70 of Curses and Casualties
They pull back the tent flap, revealing an interior that definitely shouldn’t fit in the space available. Two copper tubs sit on either side of a gossamer curtain, steam rising from both. The air smells of pine and honey and something I can’t identify.
“Two baths,” the fae announces. “Blessed waters. Ceremonial robes. Everything required for the ritual preparation.”
Amara appears at their shoulder, having mastered her own version of sneaky movement. “Separate baths,” she emphasizes, giving us both a pointed look. “Your energy must be preserved for tonight. No... funny business.”
Georgia’s cheeks flush pink. “We weren’t going to?—”
“Of course you were. I would,” Amara says smoothly. “The water has been blessed with herbs for clarity, strength, and...” she pauses, “stamina. For the ritual, of course.”
“Of course,” I echo, trying not to think about what kind of stamina we’ll need.
“No orgasms of any kind,” the silver-haired witch adds bluntly. “Save it for the ceremony. The magic works better if you’re... anticipating.”
Now I’m blushing too. Georgia looks like she wants the ground to swallow her.
After more warnings and a few more embarrassing hints about ‘building energy,’ we’re finally left alone. The interior of the tent is warm and softly lit by floating orbs of light.
“Well,” Georgia says, voice artificially bright. “This isn’t awkward at all.”
“Could be worse,” I offer, already pulling off my shirt. “They could have stayed to watch.”
“Don’t give them ideas.” I hear the rustle of fabric as she undresses on her side. “God, this water smells amazing. Like... pine and honey and mint, I think...”
“Ah. That’s what that is.” I sink into my own bath with a groan of pleasure. The heat immediately seeps into my muscles. “Fuck, that’s good.”
“Watch your mouth, young man,” she teases, and I can hear the smile in her voice. “What would your mother say?”
“My mother would have had opinions about all of this,” I admit, letting my head fall back against the tub’s edge. “Her youngest son, a werewolf. Completing a Soul Bond the Elders tried to hide. She was always one for following rules.”
“She passed when you were quite young?” Georgia’s voice is gentle.
“Yeah. She died when Owen and I were in college. Cancer. Nothing magical about it, just... life.” I close my eyes,remembering. “She would have liked you, though. Once she got over the supernaturalness of it all.”
“A geology nerd who trips over her own feet and glows like a nightlight whenever I get turned on by her son? Sure, every mother’s dream.”
“Don’t do that,” I say quietly.
“Do what?”
“Put yourself down. You’re extraordinary, Georgia. And not because of Luna or the bond. You were extraordinary before any of this.”
Silence falls, broken only by the gentle splash of water. I can see her silhouette through the curtain, leaning back in her tub, and the need to be closer is suddenly overwhelming.
“This feels surreal,” she says. “Like we’re getting ready for our wedding while the world burns around us.”
“Maybe we are,” I say. “Getting married, I mean. In our own weird, supernatural way.”
“Is that what this is?” Her voice is softer now, more vulnerable. “A wedding?”
“The most important one in centuries, if Amara’s right.” I close my eyes, letting the warmth seep into my bones. “What would you have wanted? If we were normal people?”
“Something small,” she says after a moment. “Maybe on a beach somewhere. One of our brothers officiating because they’d absolutely insist. Scarlett as my maid of honor, probably threatening to murder you if you hurt me.”
I laugh despite everything. “She’d definitely do that.”
“What about you?”
“Honestly? I’d want whatever made you happy.” I lean back against the copper rim. “Though I always imagined it happening in the mountains. Somewhere wild.”
