Page 129 of The Witch is Back

“Putting the looks in third, must be serious.”

“She’s got this way of insulting me and making me laugh at the same time.” Bastian smiled even now, even when he was feeling so wrecked. “And she’s so reluctant to break the rules, but then she’ll do something so unexpected. Impulsive. And the way she cares for everyone, her familiar, her friends, her sister. She gave up everything for them and puts herself down when she’s...amazing.”

When there was silence, he turned back to see Ethan staring at him. “What?”

“Nothing. It just makes sense now.”

“Makes sense?”

“Why you’re so torn up.” Ethan shrugged. “You’re in love with her.”

The breath stole from Bastian’s body with one swift kick. He lapsed into silence, heart tripping over itself in his chest as the words were spoken aloud.

Unsettled, he struggled with the power they unlocked. The sheer force of what he faced. But hadn’t he skimmed the idea before? Never landing, not ready for that, the knowledge tucked away in a corner for when he was ready. When she was ready.

Damn Ethan. He just had to drag him kicking into the sunlight to face the truth.

Emma was his best friend. His lover. His...

His.

“Shit.”

“Now, that’s romance.” But Ethan didn’t laugh. His eyes sober, he considered his friend. “What’re you gonna do?”

Bastian passed a shaky hand over his face. Hell if he knew. Because even though he loved her, if she didn’t trust him, as Emma would say, what was the point?

“Emmaline! Sorry. Emma.” Diana looked up from where she was reclining. A tired smile tugged at her mouth and she struggled to lift her frail body into more of a sitting position.

“Please, don’t.” Emma held out a hand, taking a few steps forward. “I won’t be here long, but I had to talk to you.”

“Okay.” Curiosity and a hint of concern drifted into the eyes that reminded Emma so much of Bastian’s. Diana looked from Emma to her husband, who’d let Emma in and escorted her.

Finding no answer forthcoming, she waved a hand at a chair. “Please, sit. Is Bastian not with you?”

“No.” And she knew she was a coward for doing this, especially this way, but she just couldn’t handle seeing the relief that would creep into his face. When he found out that he was free from her.

He’d have been a gentleman, she knew that. And for all their faults and the contract that forced them together, they had become friends. Lovers. But Bastian had freely admitted he’d come back for his mom. He’d abandoned everything he knew because of Emma and her family, had suffered through everyone thinking he was selfish because of her actions.

She’d waited the last day and a half for him to appear. For them to talk, maybe. To see where this left them. And when he hadn’t come back, she’d had her answer. He’d only been making the best of things. He’d had to get married to her so he’d decided to throw his lot in, but it didn’t mean he really wanted her. If he really wanted her, wouldn’t he have talked to her?

It was better for everyone to just set things straight while he was away and save him from a messy conversation, especially when she knew how much he hated those.

His parents were the logical choice. Not only because she knew they were suffering because of her choices, but also so they could understand how unselfish Bastian really was.

She glanced at Alistair. “I need to speak to both of you.”

“Is something wrong?” Bastian’s dad perched on the arm of the couch, his hand making its way into Diana’s.

She cut right to it. “There’s something you need to know—about the engagement contract. Why Bastian left the way he did.”

She told them everything, omitting Sloane’s name, and, even though she stammered at times, didn’t pull her punches when it came to owning her own actions. Even when Alistair surged to his feet, and only the smallest touch from Diana stopped him.

“My Goddess,” he said, covering her hand with his. His face was pale. “My boy...our boy.”

Emma pressed her lips together so they wouldn’t tremble. It took her a minute to speak. “I know my actions are unforgiveable.”

Diana shared a look with her husband as he went to say something. “Emma, we understand why—”

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