Page 40 of The Warlock's Trial

“Everyone say cheese!” Talia cried.

I was too happy to be serious, so as the timer was counting down, I grabbed Nadine and swept her into my arms. Nadine wrapped her arms around my neck, and laughter rang around us as the flash went off.

Nadine didn’t let go of me even when I set her down. She pulled me into a tight hug and whispered, “I haven’t been this happy in a long time.”

I kissed the side of her head. “I haven’t been this happy ever.”

We all gathered around the table and took our seats. The food smelled divine. Helena’s famous brisket had been set on platters in front of us, along with homemade dinner rolls, veggies from the garden, applesauce Nadine and I helped make, and various salads that looked delicious. Mugs of hot apple cider steamed in front of our plates.

We chatted and laughed as we ate. I noticed Nadine kept her eyes on Isa, who was eating with the other cats nearby. She looked thoughtful.

“Something on your mind?” I asked lowly. Everyone else was talking and didn’t hear us.

She turned her gaze to me. “I’m trying to understand. Isa is my mom reincarnated, but my mom’s spirit still showed up at our ceremony. It’s the same with Eric and Oliver. How can they exist in two forms at once?”

“The concept of souls can be complicated. I’m not sure I entirely understand the mechanics myself,” I admitted. “From what I know, when a soul reincarnates, that soul energy brings about new life, but a piece of it stays behind in Alora. So even though you’re born to experience new things, there’s a version of you that still remembers your past life, imprinted as a sort of memory. She is Isa in this lifetime, but she’s also still your mom, in the afterlife.”

“Could I ever summon her and speak to her, as the mother I remember?” Nadine asked.

“In theory, when you die you’ll be able to speak with her, but it’s hard enough as it is to speak to crossed spirits, and even harder when they reincarnate,” I explained. “Her soul energy is here now in Isa, so if you were to summon her, you’d be speaking more closely to Isa’s energy.”

“What about my father?” Nadine wondered. “He wasn’t Miriamic, but he showed up at our ceremony.”

“Regardless of someone’s religion, their spirit still exists in the afterlife,” I told her. “People can change religions once they get there, too. It’s possible your father is living in Alora, if he chose to do so. He could reincarnate as a witch or warlock in his next life—that’s up to him. As long as he chose to participate in the wedding ceremony, he showed up because you invited him to be there.”

She sipped on her apple cider. “I’m glad my parents got to be there, even if it was only for a moment.”

The sound of silverware tinkling against glasses rang throughout the reception, distracting us.

“Kiss!” Miles cheered.

Nadine and I smiled, and I pulled her into a deep kiss.

Grant cleared his throat next to me and stood. “Now that we have everyone’s attention, I’d like to say a few words. I’ve been thinking for a long time about what I would like to say in this speech. I know if Lucas was the one giving this speech, he’d find all the right words to say—maybe write a poem or two. So I thought I’d try my hand at it and keep it short and sweet.”

Grant pulled a piece of paper from his coat pocket and began reading.

Nadine and Lucas, what can I say?

It’s finally here—your wedding day.

I’ve seen you together through dark and through light,

and I’m honored to be here on this special night.

You’ve been through it all.

Through the highs and the lows.

Honestly, it seemed forever

Until Lucas proposed.

He’s crazy about you, Nadine.

I won’t lie.

I’ve never seen a man

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