Page 33 of Heart of a Witch
I had, but I wouldn’t say it out loud. Nor would I wish on it. “He’s the only parent we have left. He means well, but he doesn’t go about it the right way. I’m confident he’ll see the light one of these days. I’ve tried talking to him before—”
“Defending him, again. Like I should be surprised.” He grabbed one of the ball invitations on his way to the staircase and tore it down the middle. “I should be grateful, in a way. In a few days, it’ll be announced that you’ll be training to be a hunter, which means I won’t have to.”
I gritted my teeth. “I plan on discussing that with him today.”
“He will never allow you to refuse it. It’s our legacy, remember?” He made a face. “Until you stand up to him, you’ll never have the life you really want.”
“He can be reasoned with. I’ve done it before. He allowed me to wait until my twenty-first birthday to decide.”
“He won’t, and when he says no, you should go. Take your money, leave the house, and do what you want to do.”
“I won’t do that.”
He walked up the stairs, not looking back. We both knew why I’d never leave, not until Corbin was finished with the academy, until he could be his own man and leave too. I’d never leave him at the mercy of our father. Since I was there, he wouldn’t hurt Corbin again. He hadn’t for years now, but as Corbin had said, he still threatened it, and I didn’t trust it not to happen without me around.
I ran my hand through my hair.
“Mr. Shaw.” The housekeeper’s voice rang behind me. “A Miss Weathermore is here to see you.”
“Who?” I closed my eyes for a second. “Oh. Victoria.” I hadn’t sent her anything to say thank you for yesterday, but I also hadn’t expected her to come back after seeing all of that.
***
Her smile caught me off guard. I straightened my jacket. “Miss Weathermore.”
“Mr. Shaw. I see we’re back to formalities.”
I couldn’t help but grin. “It’s good to see you again,Victoria.”
She knotted her fingers together. “How’s your brother doing?”
“Better.” I guided her down the winding path toward the gates. I didn’t add how I planned to get revenge on his so-called friends who’d stolen from him and got him hopped up on opium. “Thanks to you.”
She smiled again in response. “It’s a nice day.”
“It is.” I looked at the pastel-blue sky. “A good day for a walk, don’t you think?” I guided her away from the mansion.
She arched an eyebrow. “Is there something terrible about your house you don’t want me seeing?”
I paused, and she laughed.
“I’m teasing. A walk sounds lovely, although I had hoped to rest my feet.”
“I know a spot.”
“Good.” Her faded-red skirt flowed out at her ankles as she walked a step ahead. At her waist, a black band separated her skirt and a buttoned-up cream blouse with lace at the collar and long sleeves. Her lips were shaded in a softer pink too, softening the sharpness to her features. Her dark eyebrows raised slightly when she spotted me looking at her. “Something you like?”
I chuckled. “Nothing I don’t.”
She rolled her eyes. “You seem in quite good spirits, considering.”
“There’s little point wallowing in misery. Besides, those responsible for giving him the opium will get what’s coming to them.”
“So your brother is truly better then?”
I nodded. “Your… mixture worked wonders. He still has some lingering side effects, but he’s better than he would have been. It appears I owe you a thank-you.”
“I take payment in dramair or food.”
