Page 34 of Cursed Wolfsbane

After my parents died and Briar left, I started isolating myself. None of my friends understood the ragged, gaping hole I had in my soul. None of them understood why I was suddenly angry all the time. None of them understood why I stopped playing basketball, video games, or doing things I used to be interested in. So, they were all too happy to let me fade away until I was only someone they saw in the halls occasionally.

Nan and the Wards tried to help me, but there wasn’t much they could do when I didn’t want to be helped. I just wanted to wallow in my pain. Hitting rock bottom was the only thing that made me pull my head out of my ass. Memories of that day try to surface, but I push them back down where they belong.

“Oh, Saint….” Briar trails off. Her bottom lip trembles slightly before she bites it. “I’m so, so sorry.”

“None of this is your fault, little shadow,” I reassure her. “There’s nothing you need to apologize for. I just want you to know that most of us don’t have our lives together, and that’s okay. Somedays, all you can do is desperately try to keep your head above water. Other days, you can swim a little closer to shore, making gradual progress that keeps you going on days when you’re just trying to survive.”

She gives me a small nod before leaning her forehead against my chest. I thread my fingers through her hair, playing with it the way she always used to like. She relaxes into me. After several moments, she takes a few deep breaths and pulls back.

“You ready to go see your family?” I ask as soon as she looks up at me. My eyes flick to her mouth, wondering what it would be like to kiss her. I shake my head slightly like I can dislodge my thoughts. Now’s really not the time to be thinking about that, not after Briar just remembered a huge chunk of her life. She’s still reeling from all of it and doesn’t need me being a horn dog.

“Not even slightly, but let’s just get it all over with.”

I snort at her petulant tone, and she gives me a wide grin. I’ve missed seeing how her whole face lights up when she smiles. I’ve missed her. So much.

Offering her my hand, I wait for her to place her palm in mine. Once she does, I wrap my hand around her much smaller one and tug her toward the Wards’ house.

CHAPTER 16

BRIAR

My heart flutters in my chest, ridiculously giddy about holding Saint’s hand. I held his hand a million times as a kid, but it never made butterflies swarm in my stomach like it does now.

Neither of us are the same as we were when I left. He’s no longer a gangly teen, and I’m no longer an outgoing little kid. While I remember Saint now, it feels like I have to get to know him all over again. He probably feels the same about me.

I don’t have time to dwell on all the years I missed out with Saint because Emmy stops in front of a light gray Queen Anne Victorian house with scalloped siding and a lime green front door and shutters. The black roof doesn’t have a unified roof line. Instead, it zigzags between dormers and turrets, creating a dizzying effect.

I can’t help my smile at all the memories I have here. I probably spent just as much time at my aunt and uncle’s house as I did at my own.

Emmy takes the front porch steps two at a time. She pushes open the front door and hollers, “We’re here!” As she enters, she slips off her shoes, and the rest of us follow suit. We set our bags down with our shoes.

While Emmy leads us deeper into the house, I admire the original random width pine floors. We wind through several rooms, before entering the kitchen. Sage cabinets, Carrara marble counters, and a large butcher block island dominate the space. Cream tin squares cover the ceiling, the intricate floral patterns drawing the eye upward.

I don’t get a chance to look at the space for long before my youngest cousin, Kit, comes bounding over. He’s two years younger than Emmy and me. You wouldn’t guess it by how he towers over both of us now, standing at an inch or two over six feet. Kit has the same curly black hair, pale skin, hazel eyes, and infectious smile I remember. He’s dressed simply in dark jeans, a green graphic tee, and brown boots.

When he reaches me, he lifts me into a bear hug and spins me around. I can’t help the giggle that slips out of my mouth at his antics. Kit’s always been a bit of a goof. I’m glad to see that hasn’t changed.

Three growls make Kit stop spinning me around. I’m facing my aunt, uncle, and oldest cousin, Fiona. She’s three years older than Emmy and me. I give them all an awkward wave. Molly and James smile and wave back. Fi snorts at my predicament and gives me a cheeky finger wave.

“Put her down, mage,” Malachi sharply orders. Kit tightens his hold on me protectively. I sigh at Malachi and tap Kit’s shoulder. He sets me down behind him, keeping his body between me and the Wyldharts.

“Who are they, Bri?” Kit asks while staring them down over his shoulder.

“All three of them are my mates. They’re not going to hurt me, I promise.”

Kit’s eyes widen as he looks between me and the Wyldharts. He moves out of the way to stand next to me instead of blocking me.

“We might hurt you if you keep touching her, though.” Bastian’s easy smile and upbeat tone are at odds with the murder darkening his eyes as he stares Kit down.

I roll my eyes at them. “He’s my baby cousin, so chill on the threats.”

Bastian’s eyebrows rise, and he looks a little sheepish. Malachi and Xander keep glaring at Kit, but at least the growling has stopped.

“I am not a baby. I’m a grown-ass adult,” Kit huffs. He’s only nineteen, so I’m not sure he’s quite an adult yet.

“Christoper Aspen Ward! Language!” Molly scolds.

I grin as Kit mumbles, “Sorry, Mama.”

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