Page 13 of Winterfall Destiny

I look at Maeve's hands as I link my fingers with her soft ones. These connections are the times in my life I feel most alive. "You and I both know that you'll never lose the Blackwood magic, you should learn to control and not suppress the spells."

"What?" Her mouth drops fully open. "Where's this attitude come from?"

"Maeve. I'm bonded to you. I've seen your power. Felt it. The times you allowed Blackwood magic through, I've helped rather than stop you because..." I trail off. "Because as soon as people deny part of what drives them, that part tries harder to break through."

Maeve swallows and looks down at where we connect. "You've changed."

"We all have." I pause. "I don't think the Blackwood shadows would ever take over, but you're stronger with them. We are."

Pulling her hands away, Maeve stands, eyes widening. "You want the magic. I knew using the pendant and book to protect yourself at the academy always stayed with you."

"That's not true."

"It is!"

"If Blackwood is part of what you are and I'm your bonded witch, then it's also within me now!" I protest and stand too.

"Then Lex needs to talk to you too." Maeve's arms cross tightly over her chest and I pull at them, but she won't move. "Soon."

"Listen to me." I take her face between my long fingers. "Look at what we're facing. Look at Andrei. The fight we're facing against Gabriella. The Dominion. For our lives."

"Exactly! We can't go down a dark route, Jamie," she says hoarsely.

"I know you," I whisper. "Better than all of them—even when Tobias could read your mind. You're a Blackwood and the only reason that scares you is because their magic comes when you're out of control. What if together we can channel this properly?"

"I don't want the Blackwood as part of me." Her voice falters.

"Yes, you do. I've seen and felt that in you. That magic helped you, and more than once." I wait for her denial and that never comes, so my fingers tighten, eyes searching hers urgently. "Combined Blackwood and Winterfall magic trapped the First. You have that combination."

"And we can never trap the First," she whispers in shock. "Andrei."

Squeezing my eyes closed, I drop my grip and step back. "I'm telling you the truth about what's happening to us both, even if you don't want to hear it."

"You're talking about trapping Andrei," she snaps back.

Ugh. I chew my lip. "No. Forget I said that. We can use this combination against Gabriella. She'd never expect us to cast Blackwood spells on her."

But all I can see on her face is disgust at the Andrei comment. I can't correct her by explaining what I mean—that I've no faith and believe he'll die.

Maeve extends a hand. "Give me the stone. I intend to see Lex soon and I'll ask him to speak to you. Knock some sense in."

But her heart races, cheeks pink, and I know enough that I've touched on something in the centre of her soul. A part that speaks to me and strengthens us both.

"We're running out of time," I whisper.

"And that's why I'm not saying anything about this to Ash or Tobias yet. Conflict is the last thing we need right now." Her eyes sadden and she strokes hair from my eyes. "I love you, Jamie. We'll win and I'll do anything I can to protect you but not with dark magic. We protect each other."

Yes, Maeve. But that's why I'm pursuing this.

I'll do anything and everything possible to end this the way we want.

7

MAEVE

I'd usually embrace cloudless skies and daylong sunshine, but now the bright world mocks us all. I prefer to shut myself away from the reminder of why Andrei chose such a huge risk, and instead spend time in his room, sometimes in quiet, other times talking to him in one-sided conversations. I always kiss him when I leave but walk away with the hollow in my soul unfilled because my Andrei isn't here.

The first night, I refused to leave Andrei's room in case he regained consciousness and needed me, and because I needed to be there. I tried to find a way into his mind, but that's beyond any magic skill I have. Instead, I hold on to the belief my touch and words do reach him somehow.

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