Page 93 of Truly Madly Magically

Love.

Support.

The man who’s loved me no matter how many times we’ve broken each other’s hearts.

Tonight, I finally understand what that means.

I am a power in my own right, and it’s no accident I’m in this coven. I’m as big of a threat to the Joywood as the Wilde sisters and their prophecy. I’m the witch they can’t quite kill. I’m the human they can’t erase.

Every single thing I am is a threat. To them.

I am the power, I think, like an incantation.

When I do, something bright appears in front of me, so bright it’s blinding. I have to close my eyes against it.

It’s not a new agony that fills me up this time. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s bearable, and I lean in.

Like it’s just another part of this power I’ve had all along.

There it is, Elizabeth whispers inside my head. Where I didn’t think she could speak. I knew you’d find it. Breathe, my child. Breathe, and when you open your eyes, say what you are.

I breathe in. I blow it out.

I open my eyes, and Zander sucks in a breath.

My mother gasps. “Violet eyes,” she whispers. “Like mine.”

“But ringed in sapphire,” Rebekah says in awe. “Like Ellowyn times ten.”

I know who I am, who I have always been. I see my past. I sense my future, paths stretching out, tangling, and starting anew thanks to the choices we make.

I don’t need a mirror to know myself. That comes from within.

I know who I am.

So I say it, at last. “Revelare. The last of my kind.” But I hold my baby, and I feel her kick. “For now.”

23

MY VOICE ECHOES through the bedroom that’s still bigger than usual, but I like the way it sounds. I sit up, taking in the way everyone I love is looking back at me. It’s Rebekah who conjures a mirror in the air so I can see what they all see—me, but with witchy eyes at last. A deep violet like all the Good women, but ringed with a bright, bold blue.

I like it more than I should, as a woman who has made dressing in black throughout my life my personality.

“You’ve got to take it easy.” Jacob sounds very serious. All Healer. “Your magic is making you feel great right now, but your human side still needs rest to heal.”

I nod and, shockingly, do as I’m told. I can be reasonable.

Because I didn’t become a Revelare today. I’ve always been one. The future is right here, in me and in my grasp. The best part is that I have enough practice controlling the way the past spools out before me that the future doesn’t come roaring for me at once the way we all know it can.

Maybe this is what balance feels like.

“Jacob is right. You need rest. Come on, everyone,” Mom says, and then she starts herding everyone out of the room while I sit there, watching the room shrink as everyone files out. With my gemstone eyes, thank you.

Tanith doesn’t try to herd Zander anywhere, because he’s brooding over by the window, his own brewing storm. And she can’t see Elizabeth and Zachariah, sitting beside each other halfway up the far wall, just letting their fingertips touch.

Mom comes over to the bed and brushes a hand over my forehead. “Rest, you brave and glorious thing. I’m glad even you see it now.”

She glances over at Zander, a considering look on her face. She takes a breath. Then looks down at me again, but this time she gives the bump a gentle pat. The baby does a soft flutter, just for her, and my mother smiles. Then she leaves the room to me and this little family of mine.

---