Page 28 of November Reign
It was always like this when we were young. Even if the toy had been for me, he had to play with it,and usually break it, first. He got the first pick of everything while my parents overcompensated for me being chosen to be the next High Witch. They seemed to think that if they just spoiled Basil, it would make him feel better about being overlooked because I had more magic than him.
Done with the kitchen, I decided to take a shower. My face itched with the makeup I’d applied for the damn costume.
The one thing this mansion had going for it was the massive water tank and the pressure of the shower. The water pummeled me while I gave into my feelings and cried.
Things always looked better after a cry, didn’t they?
I stood under the spray long after I was clean, just wishing for an easier life. One where Oak hadn’t fallen into Basil’s life. Where he’d waited for me to come along and be the man of his dreams. I snorted an inelegant sound, then laughed. As if life would be that kind.
Feeling like my thoughts were taking a more maudlin turn, I turned off the water, grabbed a towel, and got out.
Under the bright lights of the bathroom, my hair was dark red, almost the color of blood, while my skin was paper white. My freckles were paler this close to winter and dotted over my nose and both cheeks.
My eyes were pretty, the same blue as Damon’s true color without the colored contacts, with long dark eyelashes and nicely shaped dark brown eyebrows.
At least I was decent looking, powerful, strong. Once all this was over, if things with Oak went bad or he decided to give Basil another go, I knew I would be able to move on somewhere new.
When everything was done, I’d leave Northarbor and start fresh.
I took my time moisturizing my face and body, brushing my teeth and hair before slipping into a pair of boxers and climbing into bed.
Another thing the mansion did right was the beds. They were all kings and had the most comfortable mattresses.
Didn’t help me sleep, though.
Hours went by without any rest. All I could think about was Oak lying in his room thinking his time with the coven was over because I was rejecting him.
Unable to stand it any longer, I got out of bed. I tiptoed through the halls to his room, then knocked on the door.
“Oak?”
There was a moment of silence. I wondered if he had been able to sleep.
“Yeah?”
“Can I come in?”
A beat passed.
“Please.” It came out so ragged, I rushed to get to him. I hauled open the door and scurried to his side.
He pulled up the comforter, letting me slip in beside him.
I wrapped my arms around him, tugging his head to my chest as he broke down and sobbed against me. He let everything out. All his worry, fear, anger he had for his situation and all Basil had done to him. In this, he was as much a victim as we were.
He wasn’t complicit in Basil’s crimes, though I wasn’t sure the others would see it that way. We had to make concessions for Oak. He’d been a guy who liked another guy. It wasn’t like he’d been by Basil’s side as he stole Oak’s sister’s magic.
How many of the coven would believe this wasn’t a part of Basil’s schemes?
For a long time we lay together in his bed, Oak wrapped around me, his head resting under my chin, my fingers smoothing his hair back as he cried. His hair was just as silky as it looked, his skin as soft against my body.
Being there for him made everything hurt less for me. Being his strength made me feel stronger, like we could weather this.
In this, he was choosing me. I was his comfort. Having him turn to me in his moment of need soothed something for me. It papered over a crack in my heart.
His sobs slowed. He pressed a couple of kisses on my collarbone. “Thank you,” he whispered.
I wasn’t sure where we went from here.
