Page 122 of When Wishes Bleed

“Farther… she is near the sea,” I answered. Grabbing each of their hands, I spirited us to his accomplice. She wasn’t just near the sea, she was in it; standing knee deep, looking out at the incoming tide. The waves rose and crashed into her legs with a ferocity that heralded Mira’s rising anger.

When the woman sensed us, she turned, Fate’s mark emblazoned on her forehead. “You found him, didn’t you? We knew you’d come for us eventually. Since Cyril’s death, we’ve been almost powerless. We can’t even spirit ourselves away from harm.” She sniffed, wiping her tears away.

“Your lover is dead,” Mira informed her coldly, watching as the witch deflated. “Just as you will be.”

The witch’s smile wobbled. Her auburn hair thrashed in the wind. Moonlight turned the tears in her eyes to glitter as she gritted out, “Then I shall be reunited with him and the goddess on this night.”

The girl didn’t fight back. She didn’t whisper a single spell. She steeled her spine and faced us as Mira strode toward her on steps fueled by purpose, never sinking into the sea. The girl turned around just in time to see Mira grab her hair. She dragged the girl far beyond the line of breakers and disappeared beneath the surface with her.

When the girl had drowned, Mira dragged her body back to the shore for Arron to dispose of.

“They deserved it,” he said with finality as the doomed witch’s body disappeared.

I didn’t feel bad about claiming them. Fate may not have ordered it, but he guided us to them.

“Were they the only two helping Cyril?” Mira asked, waiting as I felt for Fate’s answer. He’d been strangely quiet since Cyril’s death. I could still feel him, but things between us were different.

He confirmed my suspicion with a warm flutter. “Yes. There was only the two of them.”

I was grateful there weren’t more. Given the size of the House of Fate, there must have been many more, but most chose not to remain loyal to my mother. Most were wise enough to cut ties with her and move on with their lives.

And now, we had to do the same. We had to move forward, one minute, one day, and one choice at a time…

“So, who is Night, and does he speak to you?” Mira asked Arron as we walked away from the shore.

He nodded towards me. “Yes, but not in the same way Fate speaks to Sable. Night – darkness – is a vital part of nature. That said, Night is a separate natural affinity – not like Fate, who is very much alive.”

Grasping their hands yet again, together we spirited to the Center where Mira lingered. It was obvious that she wanted to talk to me…alone. Luckily, Arron was very good at taking hints. He hooked a thumb over his shoulder and pointed back to our House. “I, uh, have… There are things I should do.”

Mira giggled. “Then by all means, go and do them.”

He strode to our House and disappeared behind the door.

“He has the biggest crush on you,” I told her when we were alone.

“He does not.”

“Yes, he does. Since you told the water who was boss, he hasn’t stopped staring at you.”

Mira smiled, but the smile soon fell away. “Sable,” she began, “the moon is almost full.”

I looked to the dark sky above and wished I had the power to drag the shadow back again, to hold it in place so the moon would never be full. I wished Fate would ask me to heal the King, ensuring that Tauren’s heart wouldn’t break from the sight of his father drawing his last breath. That he wouldn’t have to hear his mother’s cries.

“You should go to him.”

“I left him.”

“If anyone could understand, he would, Sable. He understands duty and responsibility better than anyone.” She squeezed my arm. “Thank you for letting me tag along tonight.”

I appreciated her help, but was sad it came to this. To death. But with death would come rebirth. That was the cycle of life.

“You might be interested to know,” Mira started, “that Tauren sent Rose and Estelle home. He was very nice about it, but told them neither one was his match.”

My heart leapt, trying vainly to escape via my throat. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t find the words to tell her how glad I was to hear this news. I thought he might just choose one at random and hope for the best, just so his father could attend his wedding. Truthfully, I liked Estelle, and I knew she liked Tauren, too. But like wasn’t love, and that was what Tauren deserved more than anything.

“I still say you should go to him. Arron can stay in your House, and I’ll watch over him and it while you’re gone,” she offered. “Think about it.”

I nodded.

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