Page 62 of Spellbound
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The next afternoon, a magic quill tingled my skin. My heart leaped when I saw her message.I’m ready to talk. Our old meeting spot? Naomi.
I quickly sent one back.On my way.
I grabbed my black leather jacket from the back of my chair, then put on the makeup Naomi had made and gifted me. She was so talented at creating things. I picked up the black paste with an applicator she used to create a line over the eyelids. It really made my eyes pop. Some others in town had caught onto the trend, but none of their makeup made a dent in what Naomi created.
After spending a few minutes to do my eyes and paint my lips in crimson red, then a coat of gloss, I smiled. I pulled on my emerald-green pleated skirt, buttoned it at my waist, and tucked my long-sleeved black top into it. The colors matched the four rings on my fingers.
I hadn’t been in town since I went looking for Raiden that night, and I hadn’t had a chance to enjoy it. I headed to the front door, successfully avoiding Raiden in the kitchen as I grabbed my umbrella in case it rained.
I walked through the iris, a part of town where artists painted on the streets, musicians played on the corners, and palm readers sat at small erected tables covered with purple cloths. I tapped my fingers to the sound of the saxophone. I threw a skal inside the sax case, then shot the man dressed in a red suit a smile.
People sat outside tearooms and coffee shops, enjoying the late-afternoon sun. I paused at the fence, where local artists hung their paintings, then past the red tent where the paintings were sold. I moved through the open gateway between the black wrought iron fences and made my way into the park. I spotted Naomi sitting on our bench in front of Mr. Star’s Potions Store.
I could hear the frown in her voice as she stood. “Elle. You’re here.”
“Nai.” I smiled, reaching out to hug her, but she stepped back. I took a seat next to her. I had assumed by her message that we were okay and she’d finally come to her senses about the whole Craig ordeal.
“I didn’t get it.”
Before I could say anything, her tears fell thick and fast.
“Craig passed, but I missed one spell and—” Her voice broke.
I put an arm around her and squeezed her to my side. “Oh, Nai.” I rubbed the top of her neck. “I’m sorry.”
“I have to wait three years, Elle. My dad sent me a quill, letting me know I was an embarrassment to the family, so I haven’t seen him since.”
“Ignore him.” The muscles in my jaw tightened. “You’re not the first person it’s happened to.”
“Most who don’t pass just drop out of the coven and look for some other career,” she said between sobs, sniffing against her blocked nose. “It’s so embarrassing being an apprentice for that long.” She gave me a look. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be.” I didn’t want to tell her I passed. Not yet.
“You were right about Craig. He told me you didn’t come on to him. Eventually.”
“I hate that you didn’t believe me,” I admitted. “It hurt, Nai. I’m your best friend. Or was.”
“Was?” She blinked tears onto her thick lashes.
“We are if you still want to be. I wasn’t sure.”
She looked at her feet. Bright-yellow boots. “I’m the dick here.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “A little bit,” I said teasingly. “But you get a free pass this time.” I thumbed away a wayward tear, then rested my forehead against hers. In so many ways, she’d become a sister to me, filling the hole of a loss I couldn’t cope with at eleven years old. Having her close to me again made everything feel right.
“How was the test for you?”
I swallowed thickly. “It’s not important right now.”
“I heard Viktor was taking the test.”
