Page 74 of Shifting Winds
A reluctant smile tugged at her lips. “Brat.” She flopped onto the chair. “Ash is an idiot.”
“Did he really say she wasn’t normal?”
She sighed and nodded. “He put his foot in it. I don’t think he’ll do it again.”
“Not after that tongue lashing I suspect you gave him.”
Moira groaned and curled her feet underneath her. “Men can be so dumb when it comes to the opposite sex.”
“True story.” I tilted my mug in a salute. “Bottoms up.”
When I finished, Moira took the mug. “We’ll look at your weird lock tomorrow. I can see in your eyes you’re exhausted.” She motioned for me to get up. “I’ll tuck you in.”
I laughed and shoved her shoulder. “Jerk.”
She looped her arm within mine and lay her head on my shoulder, though it was awkward because she was a little taller than me. When I went into the closet to get my pajamas on, she turned down the covers and waited.
My stomach still pulled a little, but I was worlds better than I was this morning. I took my shirt off and examined the still healing skin, the angry pink scar already lighter than earlier. Once I was ready and had brushed my teeth and washed my face, I slid under the covers next to Moira.
“Want me to stay here or sleep in the guest room?”
“I’m fine to sleep alone. Whatever the hell was in that brew was miraculous. You could sell that stuff and be a millionaire.”
She wiggled her fingers. “It’s magic!”
“Uh huh. Keep your secrets for now, but one day I hope you trust me enough to share them.”
Moira rolled onto her side and watched me, her dark eyes serious. She reached a pale hand out, and I entwined our fingers. “I trust you more than anyone in my entire life,” she said quietly.
“Then why don’t you share things about your life with me?”
A small smile touched her lips. “Because I don’t want to look back. Looking forward is the only way I can survive.” She reached out and touched my cheek before pulling away. “One day, maybe,” she promised. “But not today.”
Moira reached over and adjusted the blankets, making me laugh when she tucked my feet in like a little kid.
“If you’re good, I’ll make waffles tomorrow,” she said.
“As long as you use real maple syrup.” A yawn escaped me.
“We’ll see.” She flipped the lamp light off. “Night, Evie.”
“Night. Don’t eat all my cookies.”
Her soft chuckle made me grin.
Chapter
Twenty-Three
Afew days later, I stood on Caelan’s property staring up at the world’s largest magical tree.
Caelan loomed behind me, arms crossed over his powerful chest. Things hadn’t quite been the same since I’d thrown him out of my house. I was giving him the necessary time to get over it and realize I was not the one in the wrong.
“Has Dad been back?” I asked, looking over my shoulder to see Caelan staring at me.
“No, but we’ve had some magical disturbances around the wards. Everyone is curious.”
I grimaced. “I’ll ask him if there’s a way we can conceal it.”
