Page 85 of Spellbound & Speechless
Me. It was me. Making her look like that, feel like that, is one of the best things I’ve done. It makes up for all the shitty nights I spent alone, for all the self-deprecation, and for the thoughts of bloody vengeance.
Loving Aspen makes me better. It’s worth it all.
“Love you,” I say to my mother. “Got to go.”
“I am sure you do.”
I end the call and slip my phone into my pocket as Aspen approaches.
“Who was that?” She lifts a brow.
“My ma.”
She giggles and takes my hand, leading me off the porch. “Good. You had me worried for a second. I thought you were… well,lovingsomeone else.”
“No. Don’t ever worry about that.” I squeeze her fingers. “Are we going for a walk?”
“Oh, yes. I have a place I’ve been waiting to show you.”
The Hawthorne land is huge. I find something new every time I run through the woods. We wander farther now, past where I usually go, rotten leaves crunching under my boots. The scent of autumn is heavy—petrichor, dirt, and sunshine.
Before long, we come across a stream with a view of the mountains.
When I first arrived in Starbrook, I wrote it off as a small town. I’ve seen beautiful cities across the country and well into Canada. Nothing in Starbrook should be able to make me gasp, but this view does. It takes my breath away.
“This is my favorite spot in town,” Aspen says. “Aren’t we so lucky to have it in our backyard?”
“You are. These mountains are perfect for ski season.”
“They are. Not that I would know.” She bends over and picks up a smooth rock, skipping it across the water with ease. The simple action evokes images of another version of Aspen, one who runs through the woods and learns to skip rocks. It’s unlike the polished woman I’ve come to know.
“Not a fan of skiing?”
“Not really. I don’t like the cold.” She rifles through her bag, speaking vaguely. “Areyou?”
“I’ve been a few times—usually cross-country. I wouldn’t mind learning downhill.”
Once we kill the corrupt witch, I’ll have a better chance of living. I can learn new things and spend time with the people I love.
“We can do it together.” She hesitates. “I actually brought you something.”
“You didn’t have to.”
“Don’t worry. It’s not like I spent money on it.” She holds something out—a camera. A big camera, actually. “It’s a few years old, but I thought this would be a fun opportunityfor you to start your photography again. You can take pictures at our wedding!”
My heart swells. She may think it’s an insignificant gesture, but it isn’t. Finding time for my passions while chasing the corrupt witch has always been difficult, but it has become impossible over the last few years.
I lost myself in the chase, and some days, it felt like my wolf was winning, but I felt separate from my wolf. These days, he’s at peace, and I hope…
I hope I can find my peace, too.
“This camera was a good call. A good gift.” I lift it to my eye. “It’ll do the trick. I’ve been wanting to capture some of the beauty in this place.”
And I’m not only talking about the view, but about her. Everything is about her. Before I take a picture of the fall foliage or the croaking frog, I turn to Aspen and capture how the sun scatters across her pink cheeks.
Perfect.
We spend hours by the stream, sharing whispered words, and for the first time in my life, I find a passion for capturing the beauty of nature… and Aspen’s beauty, too.
