Page 69 of Sophie's Ruin
“I’m sorry,” I finally said, without looking at Celeste. I could feel her intent stare on me.
“I’m sorry, too,” she replied, surprising me. “I should have paid closer attention.”
My gaze shot to hers.
“It’s not your fault. You tried to warn me. I just…” I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. “You were right when you said that my love for Henry blinded me. The feeling…it scares me sometimes,” I admitted.
Celeste’s expression turned empathetic—something I’d never thought I’d witness on the witch’s face. “There is no reason to fear it. Love is like magic—an incredibly powerful force. It can either save you or ruin you. It saved you this time.”
“But not before it almost ruined me,” I pointed out.
“In the end, what could have happened doesn’t matter. It wasn’t your first trial, nor will it be your last. Hold on to your love. It is a weapon, not a weakness.”
My brows climbed my forehead as I studied Celeste’s features. Was she speaking from experience?
“Did you ever have someone you loved and were desperate to save?” I asked.
The witch sighed, giving the impression she’d been expecting the question. She didn’t seem irritated by it, though. If anything, she looked relieved I’d finally asked, so she could get it off her chest.
“What I know about love and loss is not about romantic love like yours, it’s about family ties.”
“You had a family? Someone you lost?” I asked in a hushed tone.
Celeste inclined her head. “My sister Antaris.”
“The head priestess?!” I exclaimed, staring at her with wide eyes. Antaris had been Xanthus’s main follower, and perished with the rest of the Dark Witches when I’d destroyed them.
Another nod. “She succumbed to the darkness years ago. I tried to bring her back to the light, but sometimes the ones you care about the most are beyond saving.”
All words left me as I sat there, staring at the witch. Henry could have given up on me, but he hadn’t. He’d kept coming for me, risking his own life to save me from myself. I would atone for what I’d done, even if it took me an eternity to do so. As long as it was an eternity by his side.
Silence stretched for a few minutes as Celeste and I were both lost in our thoughts. The witch broke it first by saying, “So, tell me, why did you run here instead of glimmering?”
I tilted my head to the side. Was she seriously asking me that question?
“I’m scared to use my magic. I don’t want to make it easy for the darkness to sink its claws into me again. I don’t know if I’ll ever use my powers again.” Admitting that was difficult. Even now, as I sat here, my skin tingled slightly from the magic humming just below the surface.
“You’re a witch. Magic is a part of you. You can’t deny its pull. It would be like denying your vampire side craving blood. You can only fight it for so long,” Celeste said calmly.
“I know you’re right, but I…” I trailed off, unsure how to put what I was feeling into words.
“Fear is good,” Celeste continued, “You are finally learning respect for your magic.”
“Do you think I could use it for good? Without going insane?” I asked, and held my breath. My magic was my legacy. I wanted to be able to use it so I could feel closer to my mother and my ancestors who’d come before her, but I would stifle my powers forever if it meant not making myself a danger to Henry and others.
“You’re the girl who defeated the Dark Witches,” Celeste said, matter-of-fact. “Surely if you put your mind to it, you can do anything.”
A smile tugged at my lips. “Will you help me?”
“Are you going to listen this time?” She arched a white brow.
“I will,” I promised as my smile grew. A heartbeat later, it faded. “What are we going to do about Damien?”
“Leave him up to me.”
“Just you? You can’t fight Xanthus alone.”
“Xanthus?” The witch looked at me incredulously. “The one you have been dealing with is not Xanthus.”
