Page 14 of Spellbound
Naomi continued. “The only trouble you’ll have is Maddox and Elle.”
Viktor let out a low chuckle.
I giggled, and his gaze flicked to mine. “Well, I do love trouble.”
The stars were bright tonight, shining against their inky canvas. The moon was a putrid yellow, hanging beyond the forest’s edge in the distance, reflecting off the lake at the edge of town. The cobbled roads wound toward each of the houses, some bigger than others. The casters had a small village within our town, with many houses, an academy, several training halls, and even their own small stores. The magicians lived in a mansion hidden within the confines of a wood, close to the cemetery. Ours was a mansion too, but up on a hill. It overlooked the town, hidden behind neatly trimmed hedges, wrought iron gates, and a long winding path leading up to it.
Viktor had spent the rest of the afternoon talking to the other covens, who all loved him. I shouldn’t have been so bitter, but I hated it. None of them had given me the same treatment, and Viktor and I were both human-born witches.
“I better be taking off,” Naomi said before we could set off in the direction of the mansion. “They’ll be worried.”
Viktor flashed her a charming smile. “I’ll see you soon, doll.” He half hugged her. She looked intoxicated when she turned toward me. “Night, Elle.” Her tone lightened. “Maddox.”
“Be safe,” I called as she walked into the darkness. “Send me a magic quill if you need me.”
“I will,” she called back, leaving us three alone.
Maddox broached the silence. “You’ll love the mansion. We have so many artifacts, books, and magical objects.”
“If he even likes history.”
Viktor arched a dark eyebrow. “History is the only way to prepare for the future. I’m looking forward to learning all about Istinia’s.”
Maddox grinned. “Hear that, Elle? You could learn something from him. History isn’t boring.”
I shot him a warning stare. “History doesn’t bore me.”
“If you say so,” Maddox said simply, then shoved his hands into his deep pockets.
Viktor looked at me, his blue eyes meeting mine. “What are you interested in, Elle?”
My heart raced. “Oh, I like to draw and go for walks in the woods near here. It’s so beautiful.” I sounded dull, so I searched through the clutter in my mind for anything else. “I do some gardening from time to time.”
His smile didn’t falter. “The woods are one of the best places to be.”
“Right? I love the smell of it.” I stopped myself, realizing how weird I sounded.
“Me too. Maybe you can take me there soon.”
“Straight,” Maddox said out of the blue.
We both looked at him, and I tilted my head.
“Definitely straight.”
Sorry, I mouthed, but I wasn’t too sorry.
Maddox shrugged. “Aaron will be glad.”
“Mm-hmm,” I mumbled, then looked up at Viktor. Damn, he was tall. He seemed to be coping so well. I’d spent the first few weeks here crying when I’d been dragged from Salvius. “I’m sorry you had to leave your home.”
“Me too. I’m okay.” His lips curled from a smirk to a softer smile. “Thank you for asking.”
“Did you have family there?”
His expression hardened. “Yes.”
“Do you miss them?” I closed my eyes after I said it. What a stupid question. Of course he did.
